MLB Player News

Manager Alex Cora said Saturday that Anthony will serve as the Red Sox's main leadoff hitter to begin the regular season, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Anthony took over as the Red Sox's leadoff man midway through the 2025 campaign, and he'll officially remain at the top of the order in 2026 after posting a .396 OBP in 71 big-league contests last season. The 21-year-old outfielder made three appearances as a leadoff hitter against southpaws last year, but it's unclear if the Red Sox plan to drop him further down the order when faced with a lefty-on-lefty matchup.

Keaschall (thumb) will start at second base and bat second in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox.

A left thumb injury ended Keaschall's 2025 season and required surgery in October, but he is ready to roll this spring. While he didn't flash a ton of over-the-fence pop as a rookie with four homers in 49 games, Keaschall displayed an intriguing combination of contact, gap power and speed. The 23-year-old projects as Minnesota's starting second baseman to begin 2026.

An MRI on Uceta's shoulder revealed inflammation and what looks like a slight impingement, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

All things considered, this is good news for one of the Rays' top bullpen arms. Uceta will receive a cortisone shot, and the hope is that he can resume throwing in a week or so. He will be cutting it close for Opening Day, and Griffin Jax's draft price figures to climb, though it does not sound as though Uceta is currently in danger of missing extended regular-season action.

Smith started at second base and went 1-for-2 with a double and a run scored in Friday's spring opener against the Royals.

After the Rangers traded second baseman Marcus Semien during the offseason, Smith's name was part of the group in line to compete for second base. The super-utility player recently confirmed he's been preparing to play the keystone since Semien's departure from the organization. Smith should be a regular presence in the lineup against right-handers at some position.

Langford engaged in offseason workouts designed to strengthen his core and obliques, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Langford endured three separate stints on the injured list last year due to oblique-related issues. The outfielder attempted to address a repeat occurrence during the winter months. "I did way more like rotational stuff, like med ball type throws and rotational lifts, versus last year," the outfielder said. "I just had a better idea of what I was doing." Langford made leaps from his rookie 2024 season to 2025, increasing his OPS (from .740 to .775), OPS+ (115 to 127) and bWAR (3.9 to 5.6).

Arroyo started at second base and went 2-for-2 with a two-run homer and a double in Friday's Cactus League opener against the Padres.

Arroyo drove an opposite-field homer off a two-strike pitch from Jagger Haynes in the second inning, giving the Mariners an early 2-0 lead. It was reported earlier in the offseason that Arroyo would transition to the outfield, though he ultimately got the start at second base in Seattle's spring opener. While it remains to be seen where Arroyo will fit in the field long term, his major-league future will ultimately come down to his bat. Arroyo slashed .262/.401/.433 with 17 home runs across 556 plate appearances between High-A and Double-A last year. He should see regular playing time early in Cactus League play before reporting to Team Colombia for the World Baseball Classic.

Garcia will "100 percent" not be ready for Opening Day as he continues to recover from surgery on his right elbow from last September, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet reports.

Garcia underwent surgery to clean up scar tissue around his right elbow, which caused him to miss the Blue Jays' postseason run. The 35-year-old reliever has yet to throw off a mound but hopes to do so over the next week or two. Garcia's absence opens the door for other relievers such as Spencer Miles, Mason Fluharty and Chase Lee to potentially earn larger roles for themselves to begin the 2026 season.

Perkins (shoulder) will start in the Athletics' Cactus League opener against the White Sox on Saturday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Perkins is expected to pitch just one inning in Saturday's game, but his ability to take the mound is a good sign, given that he ended the 2025 season on the 15-day IL due to a right shoulder strain. It's not entirely clear whether Perkins will be a part of the rotation or operate out of the bullpen in 2026. His performance in spring training will likely dictate what his role will be come Opening Day.

Mederos is without restrictions in Angels camp after finishing last season on the injured list with right shoulder soreness, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.

Mederos missed the final month-plus of the 2025 campaign but began his normal offseason throwing routine in mid-October. The 24-year-old made five appearances (three starts) for the Angels last season, yielding 14 runs with a 14:12 K:BB over 17 frames. Mederos is unlikely to crack the Opening Day roster but could be one of the first arms called upon when the Angels need a starter.

Rogers didn't factor into the decision during Friday's 2-0 Grapefruit League victory over the Yankees, allowing one hit in two scoreless innings. He struck out three.

Rogers picked up right where he left off a year ago, when he turned in a career-best 1.81 ERA and 0.90 WHIP over 109.2 innings (18 starts). The 28-year-old left-hander looked particularly dominant at times in his spring debut, generating eight whiffs and pouring in 23 of his 32 pitches for strikes. Rogers appears to be the frontrunner to draw the Opening Day starting nod for Baltimore.