
Boston Red Sox outfielder/designated hitter Masataka Yoshida (back, shoulder), who started the season on the injured list as he recovers from a right-shoulder labral repair last October, is doing baseball activities again after being shut down for a few days with minor back tightness. Yoshida took 50 swings in Boston on Sunday, according to manager Alex Cora. The left-handed-hitting Japanese outfielder continues to build up to a throwing program, but he might be a man without a position on the major-league roster when he makes his 2025 debut now that Rafael Devers is serving as the team's primary DH. "Feeling better," Cora said Saturday. "Nothing throwing-wise." When Yoshida is eventually cleared to play in games, he's expected to join Triple-A Worcester on a minor-league rehab assignment. Barring a setback, Yoshida could be activated from the IL before the end of April.

Boston Red Sox right-handed reliever Liam Hendriks (elbow) played catch at Globe Life Field on Sunday before the team's series finale against the Texas Rangers after he was originally told not to throw for three days after getting an injection to improve a compressed nerve in his right elbow. Hendriks is expecting to resume a normal throwing program in hopes of being activated from the injured list relatively soon, although it sounds the like the Red Sox won't be activating him when he's eligible to return on April 8. The team is going to exercise caution with the veteran reliever since he hasn't pitched in the big leagues since June of 2023 due to Tommy John surgery. The 36-year-old Australian has 116 career saves in 13 big-league seasons and should be a late-inning option for Boston when he's healthy, but he also had a 9.95 ERA and 2.21 WHIP in 6 1/3 innings this spring before injuring his elbow.

MLB.com's Mark Bowman reports that Atlanta Braves right-hander Reynaldo Lopez (shoulder) will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder to determine if he has any structural damage after imaging only showed inflammation. A timetable for Lopez's return won't be known until after he has surgery, but he's expected to miss at least a couple of months. The Braves lost outfielder Jurickson Profar to an 80-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs on Monday and have now lost one of their best starters from a year ago for a few months. That's all on top of Atlanta starting off the year 0-5. Lopez was a first-time All-Star in 2024 in his first year in Atlanta with a 1.99 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in his return to a starting role for the first time since 2019, but the expanded workload has taken its toll. Bryce Elder will start in Lopez's play on Wednesday against the Dodgers, but it won't be long before Spencer Strider (elbow) makes his return to Atlanta's starting rotation.


Texas Rangers outfielder Wyatt Langford went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 1-0 win over the Reds. Langford has looked good to begin the season, batting .304 with two homers through the first six games. A huge breakout could be on tap for the youngster, who slashed a respectable .253/.325/.415 with 16 home runs and 19 stolen bases in his rookie year. Drafted less than two years ago, Langford has the upside to become one of the sport's top superstars and could be a first-round pick in 2026 fantasy drafts.

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi tossed a gem on Tuesday, shutting out the Reds in a 1-0 victory. He allowed four hits and struck out eight batters in his nine innings of work. He was extremely efficient, needing just 99 pitches to finish the game. This is his second quality start in a row to begin the season, as he struck out nine over six solid innings on Opening Day. The veteran was solid in 2024, posting a 3.80 and 1.11 WHIP in 170 innings. He can be volatile at times, but when everything is working right, he looks like an ace. He is a must-start fantasy option for the time being as he rides out this hot stretch.
