MLB Player News

Refsnyder (forearm) took live batting practice against Red Sox right-hander Zack Kelly during Wednesday's full-squad workout, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Refsnyder slugged a home run to right-center as part of his round of BP, an indication that he's moved past the right forearm strain that caused him to finish last season on the injured list. Before being shut down, Refsnyder was productive at the dish when called upon, slashing .283/.359/.471 with 11 home runs and two stolen bases over 306 plate appearances. The right-handed-hitting Refsnyder should get regular playing time versus left-handed pitching in 2025, most likely occupying the weak side of platoon in right field alongside Wilyer Abreu (illness).

Pederson (illness) returned to Rangers camp Wednesday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Pederson was away from the club for a few days while battling the flu, but he's now recovered and ready to resume workouts. The 32-year-old's first Cactus League game might be delayed a bit since he's a tad behind, but he will have plenty of time to get ready for Opening Day.

Melendez said Tuesday that he spent the offseason in Miami revamping his swing during workouts, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Specifically, Melendez has adjusted his positioning at the plate, decreased his leg kick and demonstrated a more balanced stance in the batter's box. Melendez is hopeful that the change will simplify his movements and allow him to be more consistent at the plate, after he struck out at a 25.1 percent clip and slashed a career-worst .206/.273/.400 in 450 plate appearances a season ago. Melendez doesn't believe the adjustment will result in him sacrificing power, which was his main calling card during his minor-league career and through his first three seasons in the majors. The lefty-hitting Melendez should be poised to open the 2025 campaign as a strong-side platoon player in left field, though after catching in 10 games in 2023, he will no longer carry eligibility at catcher in any fantasy league since he didn't see any action behind the plate in 2024.

Faedo (shoulder) tossed a live batting practice session Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

As a member of the Tigers last season, Faedo didn't pitch after Aug. 20 due to a strained right shoulder, but his ability to throw a live BP session in the early stages of spring training confirms that he's healthy. The 29-year-old right-hander will be competing for a spot in the Tampa Bay bullpen after turning in a 3.61 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 55:28 K:BB in 57.1 innings over his 37 appearances for the Tigers in 2024. Faedo doesn't have any minor-league options remaining, so the Rays would have to expose him to waivers if he isn't kept on the Opening Day roster or placed on the injured list to begin the season.

Maeda was throwing 92 mph during a live batting practice session Tuesday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

It's up from the 90.8 mph he averaged with his four-seamer last season and significantly more velocity than he was showing during spring training last year. With Alex Cobb (hip) slated to begin the season on the injured list, Maeda has a chance to make the Tigers' rotation out of spring training. That said, after collecting a 6.09 ERA over 17 starts and 12 relief appearances last season, Maeda has a lot to prove this spring. He will start Detroit's Grapefruit League opener Saturday.

Manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that Altuve will play left field in first Grapefruit League game this spring, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Altuve has seen significant reps in the outfield in the early days of camp and will work with the outfielders exclusively over the next 4-to-5 days. It's becoming clear at this point that the Astros are serious about potentially moving Altuve to left field, although the 34-year-old will have to show he's comfortable out there before the team commits to it. If Altuve does shift to the outfield, Mauricio Dubon looks to be the current favorite to start at second base. Houston also just agreed to a minor-league deal with Brendan Rodgers, who will be a threat to win the second base job.

Melton is dealing with mild back soreness, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

It sounds like a day-to-day type injury. One of the Astros' top prospects, Melton is not yet on the 40-man roster but should push to debut sooner rather than later, particularly with the team's lack of outfield depth. He slashed .253/.310/.426 with 15 home runs and 30 stolen bases between Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Sugar Land in 2024.

Manager Alex Cora said Tuesday that Casas will start against lefties and righties in 2025, Christoper Smith of Mass Live reports.

Casas dealt with a nagging rib injury in 2024 and played just 63 games. He finished up the campaign regularly sitting against left-handers and batting down the order. A career line of .227/.350/.422 against southpaws makes him a candidate for a platoon, but Cora will apparently give Casas a chance against all opposing starters. The 25-year-old first baseman said he had a "really good offseason" in terms of conditioning and wants to move back to the middle of the order.

Rodgers signed a minor-league contract with the Astros on Tuesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Rodgers slashed .267/.314/.407 with 13 home runs and 54 RBI over 539 plate appearances with the Rockies last season. However, his OPS dropped to .571 when he wasn't hitting at Coors Field, which likely factored into Colorado's decision to non-tender him in November. Now in Houston, he figures to have a better chance of making the Opening Day roster with Jose Altuve moving to left field, though Rodgers will still have plenty of competition for the second-base job during spring training from Mauricio Dubon and Shay Whitcomb, among others.

Sweeney said he's made some "minor swing changes" since the end of last season to hit MLB fastballs better, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Sweeney seems focused on timing and working to catch up to fastballs better at the MLB level. He had a .245 average and a 19.8 percent whiff rate against the pitch last year, and all four of his home runs came off of breaking balls. Sweeney could be Detroit's Opening Day shortstop, though veteran Javier Baez (hip) is looming as competition as he gets back to full strength. However, Sweeney could parlay a strong start to the year into some job security.