Red Sox OF Rusney Castillo finally ready for spring debut
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(9:56 am ET) Red Sox manager John Farrell said outfielder Rusney Castillo, who has been sidelined since early March with an oblique injury, will make his spring debut off the bench Friday against the Orioles.

Farrell added Castillo — who is competing for the starting job in center field — will make his first start Saturday against the Pirates.

“(I’m) looking forward to seeing next step,” Farrell said.

Yankees’ Jose De Paula optioned to Triple-A
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(9:51 am ET) Yankees pitcher Jose De Paula was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday, per MLB.com. De Paula made one relief appearance this spring before dealing with a shoulder injury.

Orioles OF David Lough recovers from hamstring injury
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(9:49 am ET) Orioles outfielder David Lough made the trip for Friday’s spring game against the Red Sox after being held out a few days due to a sore left hamstring, per MASNsports.com.

“I’m fine,” Lough said. “I just had soreness in my hamstring and he gave me a few days. I played a lot of innings lately and was always on the road, so he gave me a few days just to rest and get it better and it’s fine now.

“It was just sore. That’s all. It wasn’t a strain or anything. It just needed a little bit of rest. We just didn’t want it to progress into something like a strain or a pulled hamstring that’s a major setback, so he just gave me a few days and it’s better now.”

Tigers’ Ian Krol (forearm) expected to see game action Saturday
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(9:47 am ET) Tigers pitcher Ian Krol told reporters that the forearm tightness he recently experiences has abated following a bullpen session on Thursday. He is expected to see some game action on Saturday, according to the Detroit News on Friday.

Blue Jays’ Encarnacion might play in minor-league game this weekend
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(9:45 am ET) Blue Jays first baseman Edwin Encarnacion (back) said he felt great taking batting practice, per Sportsnet.ca. He is hoping to play in a minor-league game this weekend.

David Ortiz won’t play this weekend because of general soreness
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(9:45 am ET) Red Sox manager John Farrell told reporters that veteran David Ortiz is not expected to play this weekend due to general soreness, according to WEEI.

Ortiz was initially given a few days of rest after feeling dehydrated following Monday’s Grapefruit League game against the Mets. Although Farrell revealed that he’s dealing with soreness, he reassured that it wasn’t related to his lingering problems with his Achilles.

Ortiz is hitting .267/.353/.467 over 15 at-bats this spring.

Blake Swihart among Red Sox players optioned to Triple-A
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(9:33 am ET) Red Sox catcher prospect Blake Swihart was among the players optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket on Friday, according to the Boston Herald. Swihart, onsidered Boston’s top prospect by Baseball America and the team’s second-best prospect by MLB.com, was the subject of various trade rumors this offseason. He hit .389 (7 for 18) with one home run and four RBI this spring.

Left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez was also optioned down to Pawtucket on Friday. He allowed one run over 7 2/3 innings of work this spring.

Yankees INF Brendan Ryan makes spring debut Friday
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(9:09 am ET) Yankees infielder Brendan Ryan (back) finally made his spring debut Friday against the Tigers. He started at shortstop and hit second.