MLB Player News

Whitlock threw a perfect inning while striking out one batter in a 9-6 loss against Minnesota on Monday.

Whitlock appeared in four games this spring for Boston, allowing zero earned runs in four innings pitched. The right-hander also made four appearances for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, allowing just one earned run in 3.1 innings. The 29-year-old posted a career-best 31 percent strikeout rate while putting up a 2.25 ERA for Boston in 2025. Whitlock will once again serve as a high-leverage arm for a Boston bullpen that still features Aroldis Chapman and Greg Weissert but a mix of unproven arms after that.

Boston placed Seigler on the 10-day injured list Wednesday due to left knee patellar tendinopathy.

Acquired from the Brewers on Feb. 9, Seigler didn't end up making any appearances in spring training while recovering from a knee injury that first surfaced while he played in the Dominican Winter League during the offseason. The Red Sox haven't indicated where Seigler stands in his recovery, so the 26-year-old appears destined to miss more than the minimum 10 days. Seigler has two minor-league options remaining and could be sent out to Triple-A Worcester to play regularly once he's activated from the IL.

Freeman is expected to bat fifth against left-handed starters at the outset of the regular season, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Freeman's spot in the lineup was already slated for a change against righties, as he's been tabbed for the cleanup role against such starters after primarily hitting third in the order versus right-handers last year. Now it appears Freeman will bump down to fifth against southpaws, while catcher Will Smith is slated to bat fourth in those games. The fantasy impact on Freeman's production will probably be minimal, and there should be no shortage of opportunities for run production given Los Angeles' loaded lineup.

The Rangers designated Blanco for assignment Wednesday.

Blanco was sent to minors camp by the Rangers immediately after being claimed off waivers in early March. The speedy outfielder is now set to go through the waivers process again.

The Rangers placed Freeman (back) on the 10-day injured list Wednesday.

Freeman will get a late start to the season after being diagnosed with a lumbar stress reaction in late February. He will be eligible for activation in early April but could be looking at an extended absence.

The Red Sox placed Sandoval (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Though Sandoval (elbow) didn't make any Grapefruit League appearances, he was able to throw a three-inning simulated game at extended spring training Monday and should be on track to begin an extended rehab assignment shortly after the minor-league season gets underway this weekend. Sandoval -- who is working his way back from June 2024 internal brace surgery -- could be ready to return from the IL around mid-to-late April, but it's unclear if he'll have a spot in the Boston rotation waiting for him once he's activated from the IL.

The Astros placed Wesneski (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Wesneski still has lots of rehabbing to do following last May's Tommy John surgery. He could eventually shift to the 60-day IL when/if Houston needs the 40-man roster spot.

The Red Sox placed Crawford (wrist) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Crawford didn't make any appearances in the Grapefruit League while completing his recovery from the right wrist surgery he underwent last July. However, the right-hander was able to cover a few innings in a minor-league spring training game earlier this week, so he could be ready to head out on an extended rehab assignment shortly after the minor-league season gets underway. Crawford isn't expected to be ready to return from the IL until late April or early May, and it's not clear if he'll be in line for a spot in the Boston rotation once he gets activated.

The Red Sox placed Casas (knee) on the 10-day injured list Wednesday.

Casas is expected to remain at extended spring training in Florida for at least the first month of the season while he works his way back from the surgery he underwent May 4 to address a ruptured left patellar tendon. Per MLB.com, Casas recently reached a key milestone in the recovery process by getting cleared to run the bases and slide, but it's unclear when he might be ready to play in simulated games or take part in a minor-league rehab assignment.

Leasure threw a scoreless, hitless inning, walking one batter in a 10-9 loss against the Athletics on Monday.

Leasure appeared in nine games this spring for the White Sox, posting a 1.00 ERA in nine innings. The right-hander appeared in 68 games last season, recording a 3.92 ERA along with 81 strikeouts and seven saves for Chicago. The 27-year-old will pitch near the back end of the bullpen as a vital, high-leverage arm for the White Sox in 2026 next to a number of converted starters including Grant Taylor, Jordan Hicks and Sean Newcomb.