MLB Player News

Twins head trainer Nick Paparesta said Thursday that Merryweather has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain and will likely need about 3-to-4 weeks to recover before being available in games, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

While Merryweather could resume full baseball activities in about two weeks, he doesn't look like he'll be on track to pitch again before the Twins' Grapefruit League slate comes to an end. With that in mind, the injury effectively ends Merryweather's bid for a berth in the Opening Day bullpen, as he had been attending camp as a non-roster invitee and likely needed a strong spring to clinch a spot. Expect Minnesota to reassign Merryweather to minor-league camp in the coming weeks.

Twins head trainer Nick Paparesta said that Lopez (elbow) underwent a successful UCL repair surgery with an internal brace Wednesday, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

Lopez previously underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in 2013, but he was able to avoid a full reconstructive procedure this time around. Though Lopez will miss the entire 2026 season, the Twins are hopeful that the UCL repair with an internal brace will expedite his recovery process and allow him to be ready to go for the start of the 2027 campaign. Paparesta noted that Lopez is scheduled to meet with his surgeon in five or six months, and if a follow-up MRI shows that the right-hander has healed as expected, he could be cleared to begin a throwing program.

Hader (biceps) played catch off the mound Wednesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Hader was just tossing the ball and not throwing a bullpen session, so while it's a step in his rehab progression, it's a minor one. Astros manager Joe Espada said Thursday that Hader is not yet scheduled for a bullpen session. It appears unlikely at this point that Hader will have time to ramp up for Opening Day, and if that's the case, Bryan Abreu would be in line to fill in as Houston's closer.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Thursday that Alvarez will make his Grapefruit League debut next week, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Alvarez is being eased into game action this spring following last year's injury issues, but he is considered fully healthy. The Astros plan for the slugger to spend most of his time in the designated-hitter slot this season in hopes that it will help keep him healthy, but Alvarez should still see the occasional start in left field.

Spence was scratched from Thursday's Grapefruit League lineup against the Cardinals due to a neck injury, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Spence had been slated to start in center field and bat sixth, but he'll be replaced by Ethan Frey instead. Consider Spence -- who is slated to begin the 2026 season in the minors -- day-to-day for now.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that Rodgers will undergo an MRI on his injured right shoulder Thursday, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Rodgers hurt the shoulder in Grapefruit League action versus the Twins on Wednesday when he reached for a ball after a diving attempt at second base. Initial strength tests were positive, but Rodgers remained sore Thursday, so he'll be sent for imaging. The 29-year-old has had major surgery on both shoulders previously. Rodgers is trying to win a bench role with Boston.

McDermott has impressed the Orioles early on in camp as he transitions to a full-time relief role, Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner reports.

McDermott wasn't able to solve his command issues as a starting pitcher, but the early returns as he shifts to the bullpen have been promising. The righty worked this offseason with Mason Feole -- a pitching coach based in Rhode Island -- on posture and alignment and has made strides with his command. McDermott has also bumped his average fastball velocity from 93 mph to 96 mph and has struck out five of the seven batters he's faced so far in Grapefruit League play. The 27-year-old is in the running for a spot in the Orioles' Opening Day bullpen and could eventually push for high-leverage appearances.

Ryan (back) will throw a bullpen session on Saturday before advancing to facing live hitters next week, Bobby Nightengale of the Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

Ryan had been scheduled to make his Grapefruit League debut this past Saturday before being scratched from the start due to a back issue. With an MRI revealing inflammation and no other damage to his back, Ryan wasn't shut down from throwing for more than a couple of days. He still should have plenty of time to get fully ramped up ahead of Opening Day, but his availability for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic is in question.

Melton was scratched from Thursday's Grapefruit League game versus the Red Sox due to a slightly sore left thumb, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

At the moment, it doesn't seem like an injury that will force Melton to miss more than a day or two. The 25-year-old outfielder has gone 2-for-9 with one home run and a 1:5 BB:K in his first four games this spring as he attempts to win a spot on the Rays' Opening Day roster. Homer Bush will start Thursday in Melton's place.

The Twins announced Thursday that Festa will be shut down for a couple of weeks due to a shoulder impingement, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports.

Festa has received an injection to address the injury, but even if it yields the desired effect, his availability for the start of the season could be in jeopardy. The Twins were already in the process of easing Festa along during spring training after he dealt with a compressed nerve near his pitching shoulder last season, as he had only recently started to face hitters in live batting practice. On a positive note, Festa's shoulder impingement is considered unrelated to the previous injury.