MLB Player News

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Thursday that Pivetta (elbow) will make at least one rehab start before rejoining the rotation, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

The initial hope was that Pivetta could return from a right elbow flexor strain following a minimum stint on the injured list. That hasn't happened, as he's already missed more than 15 days. However, the right-hander has resumed throwing off a mound and is scheduled to throw a live batting practice session at Fenway Park on Saturday. If all goes well, Pivetta could make his rehab start late next week before potentially returning from the IL in the second week of May.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Thursday that Grissom (hamstring) is getting close to being activated from the 10-day injured list but is unlikely to be reinstated this weekend, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Grissom has played six rehab games with Triple-A Worcester, starting at second base for the last three of them. The Red Sox have an off day Monday before beginning a series with the Giants at home Tuesday, and that could be the day the club is targeting for Grissom's season and team debut.

Velazquez is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Blue Jays.

With the Royals looking to give Vinnie Pasquantino a day out of the field and Salvador Perez a day off behind the plate in the series finale, Velazquez will be a casualty from the Kansas City lineup. Pasquantino will serve as the Royals' designated hitter in Velazquez's stead, while Perez takes over Pasquantino's usual spot at first base.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Thursday that Devers (knee) isn't comfortable enough yet to play third base but will likely return to the position Saturday versus the Cubs, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

The good news is Devers is well enough to hit, as he'll be the club's designated hitter again Thursday after homering from the spot in his return to the lineup Wednesday. The Cubs are starting left-hander Shota Imanaga on Friday, so it's possible the lefty-hitting Devers will rest that day before returning to third base Saturday. With Devers (twice) and Tyler O'Neill (once) occupying the DH spot the last three days, Masataka Yoshida has been on the bench. However, it sounds like Yoshida should be back in there soon enough.

Renfroe is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Blue Jays.

Renfroe will sit for the second time in three days while Kansas City opens up room in the outfield for Adam Frazier, who will occupy left field while MJ Melendez shifts over to right. Through 72 plate appearances this season, Renfroe is slashing just .149/.208/.284 with two home runs and 10 RBI. He could be in danger of fading into a part-time role in the Kansas City outfield.

Clevinger will make a rehab start with Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday against Lehigh Valley, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Clevinger will be making his first start with a minor-league affiliate, as he has been pitching in extended spring training games after re-signing with the White Sox on a one-year deal April 2. Manager Pedro Grifol said Thursday that Clevinger will throw four innings and/or 60 pitches in his first start with Charlotte and then progress to five innings and/or 75 pitches in his next outing. Clevinger could be ready to join the White Sox's rotation after that, setting him up for his season debut as soon as May 5 in St. Louis.

Wong is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Guardians.

Wong will get a breather for the day game after he powered the Red Sox to an 8-0 win Wednesday by going 4-for-4 with two home runs and three RBI while also reaching base on a hit by pitch. Reese McGuire will get the nod behind the plate Thursday, but the hot-hitting Wong appears to have clearly supplanted him as the Red Sox's preferred option at catcher.

O'Neill is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest in Cleveland.

O'Neill is getting a scheduled day off after starting in both of the last two games upon returning from the 7-day injured list for a concussion. Rob Refsnyder will get the call in left field and hit third Thursday while O'Neill rests.

Valdez is out of the lineup for Thursday's game in Cleveland.

Valdez is getting a routine day off after starting at second base in each of the Red Sox's previous nine contests. David Hamilton will handle the keystone Thursday.

Yoshida is out of the lineup for Thursday's game in Cleveland.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora insisted prior to Wednesday's game against the Guardians that Yoshida was still the team's everyday designated hitter. However, he's now out of the lineup for a third straight contest and for the sixth time in eight games, with all but one of those absences coming versus righties. Rafael Devers will start at DH again Thursday as he comes back from a knee issue, and Yoshida presumably will be back in the lineup once Devers is ready to return to third base. Clearly, the club has little faith in Yoshida's glove, as he's played just one inning in left field this season.