MLB Player News

Benintendi (hand) thinks he can be ready in time for Opening Day, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.

Benintendi was diagnosed Thursday with a non-displaced fracture of his right hand and given a 4-to-6 week timeline for his recovery, so his optimism could be misplaced. With the veteran outfielder sidelined, Austin Slater could see an uptick in playing time, while Dominic Fletcher could make the Opening Day roster if Benintendi ends up on the IL.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said that Carter was scratched from Friday's lineup against the Cubs due to illness, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Carter has "got some crud," per Bochy, but is expected to be back in the lineup Saturday. Kevin Pillar will take his spot in the lineup Friday.

Kochanowicz (illness) will throw a simulated game Friday and is expected to start Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Guardians, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander was unable to start as scheduled Thursday due to an illness, but his return to the mound a day later indicates there's no cause for concern. Kochanowicz posted a 3.99 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 25:10 K:BB across 65.1 innings as a rookie last year and is competing in spring training for the No. 5 spot in the Halos' rotation.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Friday that Vierling is dealing with a strained right rotator cuff muscle and will not be ready for Opening Day, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Vierling has been held out of action for nearly a week already and will continue to rest before being re-evaluated. As a result, playing time could open up for Wenceel Perez in right field and Andy Ibanez at third base, where Vierling had been likely to serve on the short side of a platoon with Jace Jung.

Jansen (shoulder) will make his spring debut Saturday against the Athletics, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports

Jansen ended the 2024 season on the shelf with shoulder inflammation, but it wasn't expected to be an issue that lingered into this year. He signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Angels earlier in February and should open the year in the closer role, with Ben Joyce learning from him. Jansen is 32 saves away from moving ahead of Lee Smith for third all time in MLB's career rankings.

Rengifo (wrist) will start at third base and bat leadoff Friday versus the White Sox in his Cactus League debut, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Rengifo came into camp without restrictions following last August's right wrist surgery, but the Angels elected to hold him out of game action until now. The switch hitter is playing third base in his spring debut and is likely to bounce around in a super utility role in 2025.

Wallner started at DH and hit leadoff in Thursday's spring training loss to Pittsburgh. He's batted leadoff in all three of his appearances this spring, going 1-for-7.

It's not clear if he'll be used as a leadoff hitter during the regular season while filling a strong-side platoon role in right field, but the early-spring assignment is encouraging. Wallner is fully healthy after his last season ended prematurely in September due to an oblique strain.

Allen allowed one hit and one walk while striking out four over 2.2 innings in Thursday's spring start against the White Sox.

Allen made his second Cactus League start and worked up to 44 pitches (26 strikes). Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt was pleased with the outing but noted the pitcher's "command issues" following the game, per Steve Stockmar of MLB.com. Higher-than optimal walk rates were an issue for Allen last season, and he also saw a spike in home runs allowed. After teasing the Guardians in his rookie 2023 season (3.81 ERA), Allen fell off to a 5.73 ERA and allowed a combined 34 home runs in 146 innings between Cleveland and Triple-A Columbus. The left-hander is one of several pitchers competing for a spot in the big-league rotation.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Friday that Garcia (elbow) hit 90 mph during a bullpen session Thursday and is getting close to facing hitters, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Garcia averaged 94 mph with his four-seamer during his last healthy season in 2022, but he's still ramping things back up following Tommy John surgery and multiple setbacks. The Astros have already ruled the right-hander out for Opening Day, but it's not clear whether he might be able to make some Grapefruit League appearances.

Mayer started at third base and went 3-for-3 with a triple, a home run and three RBI during Thursday's spring game against Detroit.

The Red Sox flexed their prospect muscle Thursday, bringing Mayer, Roman Anthony and Kristian Campbell along for a road game. Mayer had the best performance of the bunch and heeded manager Alex Cora's advice early by delivering a run on a first-inning triple to left-center. "We were talking about his swing today," Cora told Ian Browne of MLB.com. "In BP, he was rotational. He was pulling everything, and I talked to him a little bit. His first BP a few weeks ago, he was driving the ball to left-center, and that plays. I know we live in an environment where we preach 'Pull the ball in the air,' but he can drive the ball to left-center." Mayer eventually got his "pull" on, belting a two-run home run over the right-field fence in the fifth. He's likely to start the season at Triple-A Worcester, which would be his first exposure to the highest level of the minors.