MLB Player News
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Nick Kurtz 1B | ATH
Athletics' Nick Kurtz: Returns to action Sunday
Kurtz (hand) went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Sunday's 8-1 win over the Cubs in Cactus League play.
Kurtz returned to action for the first time since March 15, when he was removed from a game against the Rangers after being hit in the right hand by a pitch. He served as a backup designated hitter Sunday, but Kurtz could be ready to play first base when the minor-league season opens. Widely viewed as the top prospect in the Athletics' system, Kurtz was officially reassigned to minor-league camp March 10 but has continued to make occasional Cactus League appearances since that time. He's turned in an excellent spring with a .974 OPS in 31 plate appearances.
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Nick Pratto 1B | KC
Royals' Nick Pratto: Outrighted to Triple-A
Pratto cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Omaha on Sunday.
The 26-year-old missed out on Kansas City's Opening Day roster after slashing .200/.351/.333 with 13 strikeouts in 37 plate appearances during spring training. Pratto made just one appearance with the Royals last year and had a .728 OPS in 116 contests at Omaha.
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Kyle Manzardo 1B | CLE
Guardians' Kyle Manzardo: Good to go Sunday
Manzardo (shoulder) is starting at first base and batting third in Sunday's spring game against the Reds.
The 24-year-old was scratched from Friday's starting nine due to left shoulder inflammation, but his return to action two days later indicates the injury was a minor concern. Manzardo has a .976 OPS through 16 games in spring training and appears set to fill a full-time role between first base and designated hitter for the Guardians.
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Jonathan Singleton DH | HOU
Astros' Jon Singleton: Won't make Opening Day roster
The Astros have informed Singleton that he isn't going to be on the major-league roster to begin the season, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Singleton struggled at the plate this spring, slashing .171/.239/.195 with no homers and 10 strikeouts over 46 at-bats. He had been in the running to back up Christian Walker at first base. With Singleton not slated to make the club, the door could be open for Zach Dezenzo to land an Opening Day roster spot.
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Vinnie Pasquantino 1B | KC
Royals' Vinnie Pasquantino: Strains hamstring Saturday
Pasquantino was diagnosed with a right hamstring strain after making an early exit from Saturday's Cactus League game, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Pasquantino will undergo further evaluation Sunday to determine the severity of his injury, but he said after Saturday's game that he feels fine and doesn't believe his performance will be affected by his hamstring. The Royals' medical staff ultimately has the final say, however, so the first baseman's availability for Opening Day will be determined by the results of Sunday's tests. If Pasquantino is unable to play, recent acquisition Mark Canha may step in to cover first base.
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Vinnie Pasquantino 1B | KC
Royals' Vinnie Pasquantino: Exits with leg injury
Pasquantino was removed from Saturday's Cactus League game against the Rangers due to an apparent leg injury, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Pasquantino pulled up favoring his right leg on his way to first base while attempting to beat a double play in the fifth inning. He was able to walk off the field under his own power, but the severity of his injury won't be known until the Royals are able to take a closer look at him.
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Brandon Drury 1B | CHW
White Sox's Brandon Drury: Suffers fractured thumb
Drury was diagnosed with a fractured left thumb Saturday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.
Losing Drury is a tough blow for the White Sox, as the 32-year-old was slashing .410/.439/.821 with three home runs and 11 RBI in spring training and was likely to break camp with the big-league squad. Instead, he'll spend the first portion of the regular season on the injured list. No timeline for his return has been provided.
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Spencer Torkelson 1B | DET
Tigers' Spencer Torkelson: Continuing push for roster spot
Torkelson is impressing offensively and defensively this spring, and he may see time at DH, first base and in right field as a versatile bench option for the Tigers in 2025, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.
A year ago, Torkelson was seen as a fixture at first base for years to come in Detroit, but a rough 2024 campaign has added a bit more uncertainty to the picture. He still seems likely to make the Opening Day roster, though he may have to settle for more of a bench role. Torkelson recently started seeing reps in right field, which gives him more potential versatility as a reserve. The biggest key for the 25-year-old remains his ability to make consistent contact, because if he can, he has the power in his bat to have a big impact.
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Paul Goldschmidt 1B | NYY
Yankees' Paul Goldschmidt: In Saturday's lineup
Goldschmidt (back) will start at first base and bat leadoff in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.
Goldschmidt's return to the spring lineup comes one day after initially scheduled, but he now seems to be fully recovered from the back soreness that has been bothering him since Monday. The veteran first baseman has been great this spring, slashing .313/.389/.688 with three homers and 10 RBI through 36 plate appearances.
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Mark Canha LF | KC
Royals' Mark Canha: Shipped to KC
The Brewers traded Canha to the Royals on Friday in exchange for a player to be named later or cash, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Canha was unlikely to make the Brewers' Opening Day roster after going just 2-for-23 with two RBI and four runs scored in nine spring contests. The Royals will gladly take him in, however, and Rogers notes that the 36-year-old veteran will be part of the big-league squad's bench. Because he was on a minor-league deal with Milwaukee, Canha will need to be added to Kansas City's 40-man roster first.