MLB Player News

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

He'll be making his Yankees debut after he wrapped up a six-year stint in St. Louis by signing a one-year, $12.5 million contract with New York in December. The 37-year-old has seen his production tail off dramatically following his MVP-winning 2022 campaign, but the .716 OPS he provided for St. Louis in 2024 represents a notable upgrade from what the Yankees received from the trio of Anthony Rizzo (.636), Ben Rice (.613) and DJ LeMahieu (.528), who combined to make more than 90 percent of the starts at first base a season ago.

Hamilton (calf) threw a live batting practice session Thursday, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.

The right-hander faced off against Austin Wells, Aaron Judge, Jasson Dominguez and Cody Bellinger in the live session. The 29-year-old reliever didn't make any appearances after injuring his calf in Game 3 of the Yankees' loss to the Guardians in the ALDS last fall, but his ability to face hitters early on during spring training suggests he's fully healthy.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he expects Judge to make his Grapefruit League debut March 1 or shortly thereafter, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Judge isn't dealing with an injury during camp, but the Yankees plan to hold the star outfielder out for the first week and a half of exhibition play to let players vying for roster spots pick up more at-bats. After Judge played 172 games between the regular season and postseason in 2024, Boone is mindful of building in some extra maintenance this spring for the reigning American League MVP as he prepares for what should be another hefty game count in 2025, assuming health prevails. Judge should help his chances of staying healthy by handling a less active role on the defensive end during the upcoming season, as he's expected to move back to his more natural right field position after he made the majority of his starts in center field in 2024 while former teammate Juan Soto patrolled right field.

Hader worked this offseason on limiting his movements before his windup in an effort to not tip his pitches, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Houston failed to make the ALCS for the first time in eight years, with Hader giving up a three-run double to Andy Ibanez as the Tigers were able to break open Game 2 of the American League Wild Card Series and eliminate the Astros early. During the regular season, Hader logged a 3.80 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 105 strikeouts and 34 saves in 71 innings. In addition to trying to cut down on any pre-windup tells, Hader said he is working on making his changeup a bigger part of his arsenal, although that's something he's wanted to do for years, by his own admission, so it's too early to say this will actually be the year he can rely on anything besides his sinker and slider. Regardless of whether he has a more reliable third pitch, Hader should once again rank near the top of the majors in saves and strikeouts among relievers.

Macko underwent arthroscopic surgery Thursday to repair a meniscus tear in his left knee, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Macko suffered the injury early on in camp and an operation had been expected. Blue Jays manager John Schneider was not able to offer a timetable for the lefty's return, but Macko would seem likely to miss at least the first month or so of the season. Once recovered, Macko is likely headed to Triple-A Buffalo.

The Red Sox signed Moore to a minor-league contract Thursday that includes an invitation to spring training, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

The Red Sox were looking for some left-handed relief depth with Zach Penrod going down with an elbow injury. Moore is coming back from an injury of his own, having missed the final month of last season with a left forearm strain. However, the southpaw has been throwing this offseason without any apparent issues, per Bradford. Moore held a 5.03 ERA and 41:26 over 48.1 frames with the Angels in 2024, but he was very effective from 2022 to 2023 with a 2.20 ERA and 27.4 percent strikeout rate. If heathy, the 35-year-old should have a good shot to make Boston's Opening Day roster.

Wright (shoulder) is dealing with a mild right hamstring strain, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Wright suffered the injury while throwing recently. He has been able to continue playing catch, but the hamstring issue will set his throwing progression back a bit as he returns from shoulder surgery. Wright will be re-evaluated next week. The righty had already seemed like a long shot to win a spot in the Royals' rotation, and this setback won't help his case.

Penrod is dealing with a sore left elbow and was sent in for an MRI on Thursday, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

The Red Sox will wait on the results of the MRI before a prognosis is made available, but at the very least, Penrod will likely be shut down for a few days. The 27-year-old southpaw made seven appearances in relief for Boston last September and is competing for a spot in the big club's Opening Day bullpen.

Adell (oblique) is expected to play in the Angels' Cactus League opener Saturday versus the Mariners, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Adell finished the 2024 season on the injured list after suffering a left oblique strain in early September, but he made a full recovery from the injury over the offseason and isn't operating with any restrictions this spring. The 25-year-old struck out in 28 percent of his 450 plate appearances with the Angels in 2024 and batted just .207, but he displayed the power-speed combination (20 home runs, 15 steals) that had made him an enticing fantasy prospect during his time in the minors. Batting average will continue to remain an issue moving forward unless he reduces his strikeout rate, but the toolsy 26-year-old should have the inside track for an everyday role in the outfield heading into Opening Day. After playing primarily in right field last season, Adell is expected to see most of his reps in center field in 2025 while the Angels look to move the oft-injured Mike Trout to a corner spot in an effort to preserve his health.

Schanuel (lower leg) is expected to be included in the Angels lineup for Saturday's Cactus League opener versus the Mariners, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Schanuel missed the final four games of the 2024 season due to a bruised right lower leg, but the injury isn't believed to be anything that delayed his offseason workout program. The 23-year-old is projected to serve as the Angels' primary first baseman in 2025, but his lack of raw power renders him a low-end fantasy option at the position.