MLB Player News

Rodriguez said the diminished velocity he showed in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins was a result of feeling "sluggish" and an inability to "get behind the ball," Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

The right-hander averaged 93.2 miles per hour in the start and had one four-seamer that clocked in at just 89.5 mph. However, Rodriguez insists that he's fine physically and noted that he was purposefully not throwing at max effort. For now, Rodriguez's fantasy managers don't appear to have anything to worry about, but his velocity will still be worth monitoring as spring training moves along.

Rodriguez allowed one run over 1.1 innings and averaged just 93.2 mph with his fastball in Wednesday's Grapefruit League start versus the Twins, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Rodriguez topped out at 95.3 mph in the outing but also finished his day with a four-seamer that was clocked at just 89.5 mph. He averaged 96.1 mph with his four-seamer last season. Jake Rill of MLB.com notes that Rodriguez has mentioned he's not trying to throw as hard this spring as he did last year, but the dramatic velocity dip is concerning after the righty missed the final two months of last season with a right lat strain. The Orioles could offer an explanation after Wednesday's game concludes.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy mentioned Church when asked recently about potential candidates at closer, Jack Magruder of MLB.com reports.

The top two candidates to close for Texas look to be Chris Martin and Robert Garcia, but Bochy's willingness to throw Church's name into the mix is notable. The skipper said he sees Church as being a closer "sometime down the road here" and "it could be when we break camp." Church missed much of the 2024 season with a right shoulder strain, but he's healthy now and has been clocked in the upper 90s this spring, having allowed two runs with a 5:1 K:BB in three Cactus League innings.

Canterino is out indefinitely after suffering a right shoulder injury which an MRI showed to be a strain, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

Canterino hasn't pitched in any of the previous two seasons, as he was sidelined for all of 2023 following Tommy John surgery and then suffered a rotator cuff strain last spring. The Twins had planned to move him to the bullpen to reduce the workload on his arm and shoulder, but it sounds like this could be another significant setback.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider indicated Wednesday that he doesn't expect to use Guerrero much at third base this season, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

The Blue Jays have been open to the idea of using Guerrero more at the hot corner. However, there's currently not an obvious alternative at first base to push Guerrero to third base and maximize the team's offensive potential. Vlad Jr. is still likely to make an occasional start at the hot corner, but fantasy managers shouldn't be counting on him picking up third base eligibility on platforms where he doesn't already have it.

Walker was scratched from Wednesday's lineup versus the Cardinals due to left oblique soreness, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The severity is not yet known, but any injury to the oblique is cause for concern. More information on Walker's condition should be available later Wednesday. Jon Singleton will replace Walker in Wednesday's lineup and would also likely take his spot at first base should Walker need time on the injured list at the start of the season.

Langford (oblique) is expected to make his Cactus League debut Friday against the Rockies, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Langford suffered a mild left oblique strain at the beginning of Rangers camp but has been steadily improving since then and is almost ready to test himself in a game setting. Barring any setbacks, the young outfielder will have time to get ready for Opening Day.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Wednesday that Clement (mouth) could be back in the lineup Thursday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Clement had to leave Monday's game against the Tigers after being hit in the face by a pitch, but he managed to escape with just a lip laceration and contusion and is feeling much better. He's expected to serve as Toronto's primary third baseman in 2025.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Wednesday that he expects Garcia to be ready for Opening Day after an MRI revealed a "pretty mild" left oblique strain for the outfielder, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Bochy added that the strain is considered "not quite a Grade 1," which is the least severe of the designations. It's excellent news for the Rangers and for Garcia, who is projected to be the team's primary right fielder this season.

Stewart (shoulder) is scheduled to appear in relief in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Stewart finished the 2024 season on the injured list after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder last August, but he seems to be trending toward being ready for Opening Day. He'll make his spring debut Wednesday, and if all goes smoothly in his subsequent Grapefruit League appearances, he'll likely break camp as a member of the Minnesota bullpen. Stewart turned in a 5.17 ERA and 1.47 WHIP while striking out 20 batters over 15.2 innings across his 16 appearances last season before being shelved with the injury.