MLB Player News

Hendriks was sitting at 93-94 mph during a live batting practice session Tuesday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Hendriks was averaging less than 93 mph during his brief rehab assignment last season, so the velocity he's displaying early in spring training, while down considerably from his 97.6 mph average fastball speed during his last healthy season in 2022, seems fairly encouraging. Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Tuesday that Hendriks' velocity is "trending up," per Tyler Milliken of 98.5 The Sports Hub, and he believes it will continue to tick up as Opening Day draws nearer. Hendriks is competing with Aroldis Chapman, Garrett Whitlock and Justin Slaten for Boston's closer job.

Yoshida (shoulder) said Tuesday that he expects to be ready for Opening Day, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Yoshida seemed less sure of his Opening Day availability at the Red Sox' Fan Fest in January, but as camp kicks off he appears confident he and his surgically repaired right shoulder will be ready. What role Yoshida will ultimately fill is in question. He had been pegged for designated hitter, but the Red Sox could prefer to use Rafael Devers in that spot while Alex Bregman takes over at third base. Yoshida has also been on the trade block this offseason, but so far Boston hasn't found any takers.

Abreu was held out of workouts Tuesday due to illness, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

He's expected to be back in action in a day or two. Abreu is slated to serve as Boston's regular right fielder against right-handed pitching in 2025 after slashing .253/.322/.459with 15 home runs across 132 games last season.

Cowser (hand) faced off against left-hander Keegan Akin and right-hander Bryan Baker during a live batting practice session Tuesday, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Cowser's involvement in the Orioles' first full-squad workout of spring training implies that he's fully recovered from the surgery he underwent in October to address a left hand fracture. While it's unclear whether he'll see most of his action in left field, center field or right field in 2025, Cowser will be locked into a full-time role against right-handed pitching, and his strong defense will help his case for maintaining regular playing time versus lefties, too. The 24-year-old finished second in American League Rookie of the Year balloting in 2024 after slashing .242/.321/.447 with 24 home runs, nine stolen bases, 77 runs and 69 RBI over 561 regular-season plate appearances.

LeMahieu said Tuesday that he took two months off from hitting over the offseason in order to give his body and mind a "reset" following a difficult 2024 campaign, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

LeMahieu was limited to just 67 regular-season contests in 2024, as he first battled a fractured foot and later a hip injury that ended his season in September. The 36-year-old is healthy now and has been working with the Yankees' training staff in order to keep it that way for the duration of the 2025 season. LeMahieu is competing for the third-base job and might be the favorite to win it, but with just a .698 OPS over the last four seasons, nothing will be handed to him.

Caminero slugged a home run Tuesday during a live batting practice session against Rays right-hander Shane Baz, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Caminero is continuing to put his power on full display in the early stages of spring training following a spectacular showing in the Dominican Winter League. While playing for Leones del Escogido, Caminero batted .417 with four home runs and 28 RBI across 22 total games, and the 21-year-old provided perhaps the highlight of the DWL season with a tie-breaking 454-foot solo shot in the top of the ninth inning of Game 7 of the championship series to lead his team to a title. The impressive performance over the winter came after Caminero had a solid, yet somewhat underwhelming run at the MLB level upon receiving a call-up to the Rays last August, slashing .248/.299/.424 with six home runs and two stolen bases over his 177 plate appearances. Now preparing for his first full season in the majors, Caminero should be feeling less pressure to compete for a roster spot this spring, as the Rays have seemingly cleared the way for him to be their everyday third baseman. Though his immense power will likely play well in any ballpark, Caminero's home-run projection should get at least a slight boost while the Rays leave the domed Tropicana Field to play their 2025 home games outdoors in Tampa at Steinbrenner Field, which mimics Yankee Stadium's more hitter-friendly dimensions.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Tuesday that Westburg will get some reps at second base but will focus mostly on third base during spring training, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Westburg would seem to be the most likely candidate to handle second base if Jackson Holliday flops, but the Orioles are giving Holliday plenty of runway to capture the starting job at the keystone. The 26-year-old Westburg collected a .792 OPS with 18 home runs over 107 regular-season games in 2024 and could take another step forward in 2025.

The Orioles signed Martinez to a minor-league contract Nov. 1 that includes an invitation to spring training.

Martinez, 30, has yet to pitch in the majors and spent the 2024 season in the Mexican League, where he held a 5.79 ERA and 15:9 K:BB over 18.2 innings. The righty reliever told Jake Rill of MLB.com that his fastball typically sits in the 100-102 mph range and he once hit 104 mph while pitching in Japan, so he could turn some heads this spring. In all likelihood, however, Martinez will open the season at Triple-A Norfolk.

General manager Mike Elias said Mayo is poised to be a "huge contributor" for the Orioles this year and will get "a strong look and every opportunity" this spring, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Of course, there's not a clear spot for Mayo to play, but at least Elias said all the right things about the young corner infielder who has nothing left to prove offensively at Triple-A but who struggled mightily in a brief cup of coffee in the majors last season. Mayo said he learned a lot about how competitive it is at the highest level and he's looking to prove he belongs this year. "I think an opportunity will present itself if you can show out and if I can do what I can do," Mayo said. He'll be playing third and first base this spring, but Mayo plans on putting in as much time as possible to prove he can stick at third base. Two productive veterans in Ryan Mountcastle and Ryan O'Hearn are expected to play first base and designated hitter, respectively, and if Jackson Holliday earns the second-base job, Jordan Westburg will play third base, leaving Mayo out of a spot. However, Mayo is the next man up in several scenarios.

The Guardians placed Hentges (shoulder) on the 60-day injured list Sunday.

Hentges' move to the 60-day IL was fully expected, as the left-hander is in line to miss the entire 2025 season after undergoing surgery last September to repair the capsule and labrum in his throwing shoulder. His spot on the 40-man roster will go to right-hander Jakob Junis, whom Cleveland signed to a one-year deal Sunday.