MLB Player News

Clement is the favorite to begin the season as the Blue Jays' starting third baseman, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Toronto's affinity for utility players likely means Clement won't stay at the hot corner, however -- the 28-year-old saw 41 games at shortstop last season in addition to 96 at third base, and he has prior experience at second base and in left field as well. Clement slashed a passable .263/.284/.408 in 2024 with 12 homers and 12 steals over 452 plate appearances, but he'll be pushed for playing time by Will Wagner, Orelvis Martinez, Addison Barger and others as the Jays look for more offense from their lineup.

Crawford (knee) threw a bullpen session Friday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Crawford has been eased into things early on in Red Sox camp as he tries to get past patellar tendon soreness, and it's a good sign that he's been cleared for mound work. The right-hander should have enough time to ramp up before Opening Day as he looks to lock down a rotation spot.

Langford will be held out of baseball activities for 5-to-7 days after being diagnosed with a mild oblique strain, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

For now, the Rangers are not concerned that this could affect Langford's Opening Day availability. That will depend on a smooth recovery however, which doesn't always happen with oblique injuries. Langford is looking to break out for the Rangers in 2025 after finishing strong last September with a .996 OPS, eight homers and seven stolen bases over 26 contests.

Martinez will get a real chance in camp to win a spot on the 26-man roster and could push for the starting job at third base, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Ernie Clement is the nominal favorite to be in the Opening Day lineup at the hot corner, but Martinez is the player that offers the most upside at the position for the Blue Jays. The 23-year-old is coming off a bumpy 2024 campaign that included an 80-game suspension for violating MLB's performance-enhancing drugs policy, but over 74 games at Triple-A Buffalo he slashed .267/.346/.523 with 17 homers. Martinez's most likely route to the Opening Day roster is on the bench, bouncing between second base and third base in a short-side platoon role, but the young slugger could quickly force his way into a more prominent spot if he begins flashing his power in the majors and can provide at least adequate defense at third.

The White Sox are considering using Clevinger (neck) in a late-inning relief role, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

It's just one of the roles the team is mulling, as it first wants to see what Clevinger looks like in camp after the hurler was inked to a minor-league contract Thursday. More than 90 percent of Clevinger's 156 career appearances in the majors have come as a starter, but he's had injury difficulties in recent years -- including being limited to just four starts in 2024 due to neck and elbow issues -- so it's possible a bullpen role gives him a better chance to stay healthy. The White Sox do have an opening at closer, should he prove to be effective in relief. The 34-year-old had neck surgery last July and it's not clear whether he'll have any restrictions this spring.

Garcia (elbow) threw a bullpen session Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The Astros have already ruled Garcia out for Opening Day after he had a couple setbacks last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. However, he's been throwing for a while without issue and should be able to make some Grapefruit League appearances. Garcia hasn't started a major-league game since May 2023.

Marsh (shoulder) is slated to throw a bullpen session Friday, MLB.com reports.

Marsh first experienced tightness in his right shoulder during his offseason throwing program and has been brought along slowly early in camp. Returning to mound work Friday offers him time to ramp up ahead of Opening Day, although he probably can't afford any setbacks. Marsh is competing for the final spot in the Royals' rotation.

Swanson (forearm) threw 10 pitches off a mound Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

Swanson is a little behind at the beginning of camp due to right forearm fatigue. He was never totally shut down though, and now that he's progressed to mound work, he could build up quickly. Swanson is on track to be ready for Opening Day, and while he's coming off a rough 2024 campaign, the right-hander is out of minor-league options and should have a spot in the Blue Jays' big-league bullpen.

Baddoo underwent surgery Thursday to address a hamate bone fracture in his right hand, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

His recovery timeline figures to extend past Opening Day and will likely cost him the first month or so of the season. Baddoo was removed from the Tigers' 40-man roster earlier this offseason and is ticketed for Triple-A Toledo once healthy.

Anthony was scratched from the lineup for Friday's exhibition game against Northeastern University due to a sore right elbow after he was hit by a pitch Thursday, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

The move looks to be precautionary, and Anthony should be ready to return to action in a day or two. The top prospect is attempting to win a spot on Boston's Opening Day roster, and a brief absence early in the spring shouldn't impact his chances.