MLB Player News

Jansen went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox.

Jansen has spent most of his time working with the pitching staff to begin spring training, though he homered in his first at-bat of the exhibition season. He was signed by the Rays this offseason in the hopes of bolstering the offense, and he should have the chance to top his career high of 324 plate appearances if he can remain healthy.

Matthews threw two scoreless innings with two strikeouts and no walks in his first outing of the spring Saturday. He reached 97.4 mph with his fastball and also displayed a refined changeup which he worked to improve in the offseason, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Matthews was a fast-rising prospect last season who rose from High-A to the majors based on his impeccable control and strong strikeout rates but struggled in his first trip to the majors (6.69 ERA). He has an outside shot this spring to win the fifth starter role, but it's more likely he begins the season in Triple-A. He could still have a significant impact in the majors this season with his minuscule walk rate (1.0 BB/9 career in minors), strong strikeout rate (10.2 K/9 career in minors) and velocity.

Keaschall went 1-for-2 in Minnesota's spring training opener Saturday. He appeared as a pinch hitter and stayed in the game at DH as he isn't able to play in the field due to his recovery from Tommy John surgery last August.

Keaschall has been taking grounders at second base but not throwing once he gets the ball. He could be cleared to begin throwing by the middle of March, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports. Keaschall almost surely isn't going to make the Opening Day roster, but he should debut during the 2025 season after slashing .303/.420/.483 with 15 home runs and 23 stolen bases between High-A Cedar Rapids and Double-A Wichita in 2024.

Berroa was removed from Saturday's Cactus League game against the Cubs due to right elbow discomfort.

Berroa was only able to get through one-third of an inning before being removed, during which he allowed two earned runs on three hits and a walk. He's slated to undergo further evaluation after the game, at which point more will be known regarding his availability going forward.

Penrod isn't expected to need surgery on his injured left elbow, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Penrod has been dealing with a sore left elbow and got an MRI on Thursday. The results of the test were encouraging, as the lefty reliever doesn't appear to be slated to go under the knife. However, manager Alex Cora said Saturday that Penrod will be "out a while," which could impact his chances of making the Opening Day bullpen.

Bello (shoulder) isn't yet throwing bullpens and isn't likely to be ready to pitch in games for at least a week, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Bello was recently shut down due to shoulder soreness, and though he's since been able to resume throwing, he hasn't yet tossed a bullpen session. Manager Alex Cora hasn't ruled Bello out from being ready for Opening Day, instead saying, "We'll see how it goes next week" in reference to the hurler's outlook moving forward. The Red Sox are already experiencing rotation issues, as Kutter Crawford's Opening Day status is in doubt due to a knee injury and Lucas Giolito began camp a few days behind other pitchers as he builds up following the internal brace procedure he underwent last March.

Abreu continues to battle an illness and hasn't been cleared to be on the field, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Manager Alex Cora said Saturday that Abreu had some labs done Friday, which indicated that "there's still something there." It's unclear how long the outfielder will be held out, but with spring training having just kicked off, there's no reason at this point to think that Abreu is in danger of missing time at the start of the regular season. If healthy, Abreu is slated to start in right field against right-handed pitching for Boston this year.

Manager Alex Cora said Saturday that Crawford (knee) isn't certain to be ready to pitch by Opening Day, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Crawford has been experiencing patellar tendon soreness and is consequently behind schedule, though he did throw a bullpen session Friday. Despite that mound session, it's unclear if the right-hander will be fully ramped up by the time the regular season starts. Per Cotillo, Cora said of Crawford, "With Kutter, that's the one it looks like is going to be long. Opening Day, right now, is an 'if.' Let's see what happens." The Red Sox are already dealing with rotation issues, as Brayan Bello is also behind schedule due to a shoulder injury.

Mitchell has a broken right hamate bone and will need 4-to-6 weeks to recover, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Mitchell was the eighth overall pick in the 2023 First-Year Player Draft and spent most of last year at the Single-A level, slashing .240/.375/.443 with 18 home runs, 50 RBI and 24 stolen bases in 31 attempts while posting a 30.4 percent strikeout rate and 17.0 percent walk rate over 461 plate appearances. He finished the campaign with five games in High-A ball and was expected to begin 2025 at that level, though it's unclear when he'll be ready to play given the wrist injury.

Garcia (elbow) is starting at third base and batting leadoff in Saturday's Cactus League contest against the Dodgers.

Garcia underwent surgery to remove bone spurs from his right elbow in early December, but the procedure won't affect his ability to hit or to play the field early this spring. The soon-to-be 25-year-old posted a poor .613 OPS over 157 regular-season games for Kansas City last season, though he showed some signs of growth with a career-best 16.5 percent strikeout rate and 37 stolen bases in 39 attempts. Garcia is slated to open 2025 as the Royals' starting third baseman, but it remains to be seen if he'll hit atop the lineup after registering a paltry .281 OBP last year.