MLB Player News

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Monday that Refsnyder (toe) will play some first base upon his return from the 10-day injured list, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Refsnyder has some experience at the position, although he hasn't played at that spot since joining the Red Sox in 2022. With the Red Sox outfield crowded at the moment, Refsnyder will be reintroduced to first base, where he could see occasional action versus lefties. Refsnyder is on a minor-league rehab assignment while working his way back from a fractured left pinky toe and could be activated before long.

Strzelecki was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Monday.

He's clearing out to make room for Xzavion Curry, who will start Monday's game. Strzelecki is unscored upon in two appearances during his brief time with the Guardians this season.

Curry (illness) was activated from the 15-day injured list Monday.

Curry got a late start to the season because of a viral illness, but he is ready to go now and will make a spot start Monday in Boston. The right-hander is likely to shift to a long relief role following Monday's outing.

Aranda will have the pins removed from his surgically repaired right ring finger Monday, MLB.com reports.

Aranda has continued to engage in all baseball activities besides swinging, but with the pins getting removed, he should be able to start taking some hacks in the batter's box. The Rays haven't provided an exact timeline for Aranda to return from the 10-day injured list, though early or mid-May could be a realistic target.

Valdez (thumb) will start at second base and bat seventh in Monday's game versus the Guardians.

Valdez didn't play Sunday after exiting Saturday's contest with a bruised left thumb, although he might not have been in the lineup, anyway, since they were facing a lefty. Either way, he's back in there Monday against Xzavion Curry and the Guardians.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Monday that he's considering a bullpen game Thursday versus the Guardians rather than starting Criswell, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

It's Criswell's turn in the rotation, and while he could still pitch multiple innings Thursday, he might not be deployed as a traditional starter. Cora noted that any pitcher that ultimately starts Thursday will depend on who is needed in relief over the next few days. Criswell allowed two runs over four innings in his first start against the Angels on Saturday.

Bradley (pectoral) will throw three innings Wednesday at the Rays' extended spring training facility, MLB.com reports.

Bradley threw a two-inning live batting practice session Friday and will now take the next step in his recovery. He'll need to increase his pitch count and stamina before returning, though he could be activated from the 15-day injured list in the first half of May.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Monday that he plans to begin playing Abreu every day against right-handers, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Abreu is making just his seventh start of the season Monday, but he has been in the lineup for four of the last five contests versus righties and it sounds like he'll be a regular against them moving forward. Ceddanne Rafaela is getting a start at shortstop Monday and it would appear he'll see more action there moving forward. Abreu has just a .618 OPS this season but put up an .862 OPS in 28 games in 2023.

Manager Kevin Cash said Saturday that Walls (hip) isn't recovering as quickly as the Rays had originally hoped, MLB.com reports.

Walls has yet to play this season while recovering from offseason hip surgery. He was expected to return by mid-April, but he has no clear timeline to come off the 10-day injured list at this point. Walls' ongoing absence should ensure continued playing time for Jose Caballero at shortstop.

Brennan is not in the lineup for Monday's game versus the Red Sox.

It's the third straight game that Brennan will begin on the bench, and two of them have been against right-handers. Brennan is 0-for-11 over his last five contests and looks to be slipping behind Estevan Florial in the Guardians outfield/designated hitter pecking order.