MLB Player News

Pérez can earn $1.4 million if he makes Boston’s major league roster next year. He suited up for just five games this past season with the Giants before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. The 34-year-old backstop is widely-regarded as one of the better defensive catchers in the game, but he’s coming off a pair of injury-marred campaigns, which cast some doubt on his durability moving forward. He’s a decent low-cost dice roll for the Red Sox as extra depth behind Connor Wong and Reese McGuire.

Bowlan and Cruz were shipped to the minors last weekend and will open the year back at Triple-A Omaha as extra pitching depth. Bowlan has made three appearances (two starts) for Kansas City over the last two years. Cruz has made 15 appearances (four starts) during that span.

Matzek is in Yankees camp this spring as a non-roster invitee and figures to open the regular season continuing to rehab in the minor leagues. The 34-year-old lefty suffered an oblique strain earlier this month and is still a few weeks away from being an option for New York’s relief mix.

Rojas continues to receive treatment after being diagnosed earlier this week with a hairline fracture in his right big toe. The 30-year-old infielder appears poised to be ready in time for next week’s season opener, barring any setbacks. He’s the favorite to open the year as Chicago’s starting shortstop.

Bellinger’s third homer of the spring was a 387-foot bullet to right field. He’s up to .475/.523/.825 in 44 plate appearances. He has more extra-base hits (eight) in 15 games this spring than he did total in 43 games the previous three springs (seven).

He walked two and needed 64 pitches to get through three, even though he allowed just one hit along the way. Stroman topped out at 90.5 mph today, and there’s just no sign that any of the velocity he lost last year is going to make its way back. It’ll be an impressive feat if he turns out to be an average starter anyway.

He gave up three homers. Walker had been a nice surprise for the Phillies this spring, but this looked more like the 2024 version. The 19 balls in play against him averaged 97.0 mph off the bat, and he wound up with a 19% CSW. Fortunately, the Phillies shouldn’t need Walker to play a key role this season.

Chisholm, who came into the day with a .139/.244/.250 line in 42 plate appearances, doubled his spring RBI count from three to six. There was some hope that he might begin the year hitting first or third in the Yankees’ lineup, but fifth seems a lot more likely right now. Cody Bellinger’s huge spring has probably locked up the third spot for him, and Austin Wells appears to be in line to lead off against righties.

In spite of a 126 OPS+ in 2013 and a 109 mark last season, Marsh is probably going to open up as the Phillies’ No. 9 hitter. It doesn’t seem fair, given that he’s probably their fourth or fifth best hitter against righties, but it’s not like the Phillies have any below average bats in their lineup. Since Marsh will also do quite a bit of sitting versus southpaws, it’s hard to recommend him in mixed leagues right now.

Winckowski will open the year back in the minors as extra long relief depth. The 26-year-old righty was lit up for 12 runs on 15 hits over seven innings (five appearances) this spring in Grapefruit League play. He’s made 115 appearances (21 starts) for the Red Sox over the last three years and should factor into their pitching mix at some point in the near future.

Profar will return to Atlanta’s lineup following a nearly two-week absence due to bone bruise in his left wrist. The 32-year-old outfielder is expected to be a full-go for the rest of spring training, which puts him in line to be ready for next week’s Opening Day contest.