MLB Player News

The Red Sox reinstated Refsnyder (toe) from the 10-day injured list Thursday.

Refsnyder isn't included in the lineup for Thursday's series finale with the Guardians, but he should see regular playing time versus left-handed pitching as a possible platoon mate for the lefty-hitting Wilyer Abreu in the corner outfield. The 33-year-old also made a start at first base during his four-game rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester, making him a possible option at that position if Triston Casas should need a day off. Refsnyder, who missed the first three weeks of the season with a fractured left pinkie toe, produced a .682 OPS in 242 plate appearances for Boston in 2023.

Boston placed O'Neill on the 7-day concussion injured list Thursday.

O'Neill collided with teammate Rafael Devers in Monday's 6-0 loss to the Guardians, and while he cleared initial concussion protocol, he's now been diagnosed with a mild concussion, per Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican. O'Neill also required stitches for a laceration on his forehead. He will be eligible to return from the IL next Tuesday. Rob Refsnyder (toe) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list to take O'Neill's spot on the 26-man active roster.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Thursday that Sborz (shoulder) threw a bullpen session earlier this week and could be ready to return from the 15-day injured list when he's first eligible for activation Monday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports. "He's doing well," Bochy said. "Sborz is on his way...talking to him, he feels great, his pain is down."

Sborz was placed on the IL on April 7 with a right rotator cuff strain, but his injury doesn't appear to be an overly significant one. Bochy didn't explicitly outline the next steps for Sborz, but if the righty is able to face hitters in a live batting practice session this weekend, he may be able to return from the IL without heading out on a rehab assignment. Prior to being shut down with the injury, Sborz tossed 2.2 scoreless innings across his three relief appearances. He should be a key part of the bridge to the ninth inning once he's activated.

Massey (back) is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list Friday, Anne Rogers reports.

Nick Loftin was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Thursday and Massey is expected to be activated in a corresponding move ahead of the Royals' weekend series against the Orioles. Massey has been out all season with a lower-back injury but slashed .382/.417/.706 with two home runs in eight rehab games between Omaha and Double-A Northwest Arkansas. The 26-year-old should share playing time at second base with Adam Frazier once activated.

The Royals optioned Loftin to Triple-A Omaha on Thursday.

The transaction likely clears the way for infielder Michael Massey (back) to be activated from the 10-day injured list, but the Royals will wait until shortly before Friday's game against the Orioles before announcing a corresponding move. Loftin has slashed .276/.371/.276 over 13 games in a part-time role for Kansas City this season.

Kiermaier went 3-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in Wednesday's loss to the Yankees.

The veteran center fielder kept flipping the lineup over from the ninth slot in the order as he produced just his second multi-hit performance of the season. Kiermaier's had a slow start to the season at the plate but has begun to come around, batting .296 (8-for-27) over his last 10 games with a double, a steal, an RBI and four runs scored. His strong-side platoon role and his spot at the bottom of the batting order limit his fantasy appeal, but Kiermaier still has some value in AL-only formats.

Martinez crushed a 10th-inning grand slam Wednesday to give Triple-A Buffalo a 12-9 win over Columbus.

The ball traveled an estimated 469 feet and left Huntington Park completely, landing onto a second-floor patio in a building behind the left-field bleachers. Martinez has had a strong start to the season, slashing .296/.356/.519 over 14 games with six doubles, two homers and 10 RBI, and his 20.3 percent strikeout rate is a significant step forward from the 27.0 percent mark he posted with Buffalo in 2023. The Blue Jays have used four different players at second base already this season, rotating Cavan Biggio, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Davis Schneider and Ernie Clement through the keystone, but none of them offer the upside of the 22-year-old Martinez. If the front office deems him ready for the next challenge, his big-league debut could come at any time, but his bat may not be the thing holding him back -- Martinez has committed five errors already this season in his 13 starts at second base.

An MRI on Gonzalez's left wrist came back negative Thursday, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Gonzalez felt pain while taking swings Wednesday, but it appears he's avoided a serious setback. The Red Sox still figure to shut him down for a bit to let the wrist calm down. Gonzalez had been hoping for a return from the injured list when his 10 days are up, but that's unlikely now.

Manager Alex Cora said Thursday that Devers is out of the lineup for the Red Sox's series finale versus the Guardians while he receives an MRI on his left knee, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Devers was removed from Tuesday's 10-7 loss to Cleveland due to left knee discomfort, but he felt well enough to serve as the Red Sox's designated hitter in Wednesday's 2-0 win. Though he played the entire game, Devers went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts and didn't bounce back from the knee issue as strongly as he had hoped. Cora suggested the MRI is more precautionary than anything just to ensure nothing is structurally wrong with Devers' knee, but his availability for Friday's series opener in Pittsburgh would appear to be in jeopardy, nonetheless.

Pivetta (elbow) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Pivetta will play catch from 120 feet Thursday, and if all goes well, he'll take a big step forward in his recovery from a right elbow strain by getting back on the mound this weekend. The right-hander will likely need to complete multiple bullpen sessions before he's cleared to face hitters in live batting practice. After that, Pivetta will likely require a brief minor-league rehab assignment to get stretched back out, so he could be hard pressed to make it back from the injured list in the minimum 15 days. A return in the first or second week of May could be realistic, provided Pivetta avoids any setbacks while ramping back up.