MLB Player News

India is starting in left field and batting leadoff Friday versus the Rangers in the Royals' Cactus League opener.

It was known that India would be getting reps in the outfield during camp, but it's interesting that his first start this spring is in left field. India has never played anywhere other than second base at the major-league level, and the keystone could still be his primary position this season. However, India getting starts in left field opens up second base for Michael Massey, who will start at that position Friday.

Anthony was scratched from the lineup for Friday's exhibition game against Northeastern University for undisclosed reasons, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Anthony was originally penciled in to start in left field and bat leadoff but will instead sit out Boston's first spring contest. It's not yet clear if the 20-year-old is dealing with an injury or illness, but any prolonged absence would hurt his chances of winning an Opening Day roster spot.

Clevinger (neck) signed a minor-league contract with the White Sox that includes an invitation to spring training Friday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Clevinger had an injury-marred 2024 season for the White Sox, as he was able to make only four starts due to neck and elbow injuries. When he was last fully healthy in 2023, Clevinger managed a 3.77 ERA and 1.23 WHIP across 131.1 innings. If he can stay on the mound throughout spring training, he would seemingly have a decent chance of cracking the Opening Day roster and securing a spot in the rotation.

Tellez signed a minor-league deal with the Mariners on Thursday that includes an invitation to spring training, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Tellez had a disappointing 2024 season with the Pirates as he posted a .691 OPS across 421 plate appearances -- his second consecutive campaign with an OPS under .700. His fit on Seattle's roster is unclear given that both he and Luke Raley bat from the left side, though Tellez could also get some at-bats at designated hitter if he manages to crack the roster.

Rasmussen threw live batting practice Wednesday and is preparing for the season as a starter, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Rasmussen has been limited to only 24 total appearances across the last two seasons due to elbow issues, and he didn't pitch more than two innings in any outing in 2024 after returning to the mound in early August. However, he'll be set to work on a five-day starter's schedule throughout spring, something he believes will keep him healthier rather than potentially pitching back-to-back days out of the bullpen. Tampa Bay has a solid five-man unit with Shane McClanahan back after missing all of 2024 due to Tommy John surgery, so Rasmussen may need a strong spring performance combined with some luck to earn a rotation spot to begin the year.

Dubon is an option to start at second base if Jose Altuve plays in left field, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The Astros have been coy about their plans for Altuve, though Rome notes that he has only observed Altuve in the outfield early in spring training. Given that, current signs point to him getting at least some time in left field during the regular season, with the goal of Yordan Alvarez being the full-time designated hitter. In turn, playing time will open at second base, with Dubon and Brendan Rodgers seemingly the top candidates to fill the spot. Dubon has served as a utility player for Houston across the last two seasons and would be a candidate to post double-digit homers and steals with more regular at-bats.

Shuster will build up his pitch count this spring while competing for a rotation spot with the White Sox, Steve Stockmar of MLB.com reports.

Shuster has had experience as both a starter and reliever at the big-league level, though he was used nearly exclusively out of the bullpen by the White Sox in 2024. That could change in the current campaign, as he'll work to build up his pitch count, beginning with a Cactus League outing Saturday. While acknowledging those plans, manager Will Venable didn't commit to Shuster beginning the 2025 campaign in the rotation.

Jung (wrist) has no physical limitations to start spring training, Shawn McFarland of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Jung had a pair of wrist surgeries in 2024 and was limited to only 188 plate appearances as a result. He reported that he was fully recovered in early January, but that has now been confirmed by his participation in baseball activity early in camp as Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reported that Jung participated in batting practice this week.

The Blue Jays signed Yarbrough to a minor-league contract Thursday with an invite to spring training, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Yarbrough made his first appearances with the Blue Jays in August after being dealt by the Dodgers in late July. With Toronto, he recorded a 2.01 ERA across 31.1 innings in 12 games. The southpaw was used out of the bullpen in all 12 of his appearances and will presumably fill a piggyback or long-relief role if he gets onto the MLB roster this year.

Volpe is scheduled to start Friday in the Yankees' Grapefruit League opener versus the Rays, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Aside from catcher Austin Wells, right fielder Aaron Judge and injured designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (elbow), the Yankees are expected to roll out a starting nine of their projected Opening Day starters in the first game of the exhibition slate. Volpe's placement in the lineup will be one to watch throughout the spring, as he had served as the Yankees' primary leadoff man leading up to the All-Star break last season before slotting between the fifth and ninth spot throughout the second half while Gleyber Torres ultimately took over as the team's table setter. Torres and last season's No. 2 hitter, Juan Soto, have since moved elsewhere in free agency, but their departures won't necessarily clear the way for Volpe to reclaim a spot atop the lineup. While Volpe offers excellent speed in the leadoff role, his .288 on-base percentage over 319 career games has made him a less palatable option. He'll at least be heading into the spring with some momentum following a strong playoff run this past fall in which he produced a .286/.407/.408 slash line to go with five steals in five attempts over 14 games, but Volpe will need to build off that small sample during the Grapefruit League to secure a prominent spot in the batting order.