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.

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).

Pereira was scratched from Friday's Cactus League lineup against the Cubs with tightness in his right side, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Pereira should be considered day-to-day. The 24-year-old outfielder was acquired from the Rays back in November. He's appeared in 50 career big-league games, slashing .146/.227/.215 across 176 plate appearances.

Simpson will not play in the Rays' first several Grapefruit League games due to a tight left hamstring, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Much of Simpson's value comes from his speed, so the Rays will proceed cautiously with any lower-body issue. The 25-year-old is in line to be the team's primary left fielder this season. He slashed .295/.326/.345 with 44 stolen bases over 109 contests last season as a rookie.

Thomas said Thursday that he's fully healthy after surgery last September to address plantar fasciitis in his right foot, Sports Radio 810 WHB reports.

Thomas played only 39 contests in 2025 due to nagging plantar fasciitis issues before he eventually went under the knife, but he's full-go early on in Royals camp. Signed to a one-year, $5.25 million contract this offseason, Thomas could see the lion's share of playing time in left field for Kansas City this season. He'll have to prove he still has something in the tank, however, after hitting just .160/.246/.272 during his disastrous 2025 campaign.

Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said Thursday that Kwan will play some in center field during spring training, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Kwan has won four straight Gold Gloves for his defensive prowess in left field. He made four starts in center field in his rookie year in 2022, but the Guardians have resisted using him at the position on a regular basis. It seems that could change now as the club seeks its best defensive alignment. Chase DeLauter, Daniel Schneemann and Angel Martinez are the other main candidates to get reps in center field for Cleveland.

Butler will be held out of Cactus League action until mid-spring as he works his way back from offseason knee surgery, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Butler underwent surgery to repair a torn patellar tendon in his right knee last October and was also given a platelet-rich plasma injection to address tendinitis in his left knee. He is in the final stages of his rehab and is fully expected to be ready to go on Opening Day, but the Athletics will ease him into game action this spring. Butler posted a disappointing .234/.306/.404 batting line in 2025 while playing through knee problems for a chunk of the season.

Manager Craig Albernaz said Tuesday that he isn't managing O'Neill's workload this spring, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

O'Neill didn't enter camp with an injury, but his status is worth noting since he's played at least 130 games just one time over the course of his eight-year major-league career. Neck, shoulder and wrist injuries limited the 30-year-old outfielder to just 54 contests during his most recent season, his first with Baltimore, and O'Neill now appears poised to begin the 2026 campaign in a battle for a part-time role in right field with Dylan Beavers and at designated hitter with Samuel Basallo.

Benintendi did not deal with Achilles issues during the offseason after going through a regimen of calf exercises given to him by the White Sox training staff, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.

Benintendi has had to manage left Achilles tendinitis off and on over the last two seasons, which led to him being used often at designated hitter and hampered his defense when he played left field. In addition to the calf exercises, Benintendi also lost 12 pounds over the winter in order to reduce the stress on his Achilles. The 31-year-old is prepared to be the team's everyday left fielder in 2026, though he could still spend ample time at DH. At the plate, Benintendi plans to focus more on a contact-oriented, on-base approach rather than power. "I don't know where I'm going to hit in the lineup, but it's just about getting on base and scoring runs," he said. "I feel good now where I can score from first on a gapper."

Vierling (oblique) has been working out at full strength and should be fully ready to go for the start of the regular season, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Recurring shoulder problems and a late-season oblique strain limited Vierling to just 31 regular-season games and 100 plate appearances in 2025, and he missed Detroit's postseason run entirely. However, the versatile 29-year-old has had ample time to recover in the offseason, and he seems to be fully healthy for the start of the 2026 campaign. Vierling projects as the Tigers' top backup in the corner-outfield spots, and he can play in center and at third base as well. He's likely a more valuable asset in real baseball than he is in fantasy, but he could have some utility if he's able to log regular at-bats and get back near his production from 2024, when he recorded 16 home runs, 57 RBI and a .735 OPS across 144 regular-season contests.