MLB Player News
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Rowdy Tellez 1B | TEX
Mariners' Rowdy Tellez: Pushing for roster spot this spring
Tellez has made a strong case for an Opening Day roster spot this spring, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.
Tellez, who is currently a non-roster invitee, is leaving the Mariners with a tough roster decision to make ahead of Opening Day. Through 37 Cactus League at-bats, the veteran slugger is batting .297 with three home runs, two doubles and four RBI. If Tellez makes the cut, he's expected to mix in at first base with fellow left-handed hitter Luke Raley and at designated hitter with Mitch Garver as well as Mitch Haniger (shoulder).
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Paul Goldschmidt 1B | NYY
Yankees' Paul Goldschmidt: Expected back Thursday or Friday
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday that he expects Goldschmidt (back) to return to the lineup Thursday or Friday, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.
Goldschmidt had to depart Monday's Grapefruit League contest against the Blue Jays due to a sore back, which is an injury he'd been battling through for a few days. As long as the veteran first baseman avoids a setback, there's no worry about his Opening Day readiness.
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Paul Goldschmidt 1B | NYY
Yankees' Paul Goldschmidt: Departs game with sore back
Goldschmidt was removed from Monday's Grapefruit League contest against the Blue Jays due to a sore back, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.
Goldschmidt said he's been battling through the injury for a few days. He went 0-for-1 with a walk before exiting. Goldschmidt expressed no concern that the injury might affect his Opening Day availability, so consider him day-to-day. He's produced a 1.077 OPS with three home runs so far this spring.
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Jac Caglianone 1B | KC
Royals' Jac Caglianone: Cut from big-league camp
The Royals reassigned Caglianone to minor-league camp Monday.
Caglianone never had a real chance to make the Royals' Opening Day roster, but he nonetheless turned heads in camp, putting up a 1.871 OPS with three home runs over 13 Cactus League tilts. The 22-year-old is likely to begin the season at Double-A Northwest Arkansas and could push to debut in 2025 if he's able to make enough contact.
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Spencer Torkelson 1B | DET
Tigers' Spencer Torkelson: Could see regular starts at DH
Torkelson could open the season as the Tigers' regular designated hitter if Kerry Carpenter is used mostly in right field, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
With Parker Meadows (arm) and Matt Vierling (shoulder) slated to open the season on the injured list, Wenceel Perez will shift over to center field and Carpenter might see most of his reps in right field. That opens up the DH spot, and Petzold projects Torkelson to fill it, at least on a short-term basis. Torkelson is coming off a disappointing 2024 season that saw him put up a .669 OPS in 92 regular-season contests, but he's had a nice spring, clubbing four homers in 14 tilts.
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Spencer Torkelson 1B | DET
Tigers' Spencer Torkelson: To see time in right
Torkelson is set to see some time in right field to wrap up spring training, starting with Monday's contest against the Pirates, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
Detroit's outfield has been ravaged by injuries, with Parker Meadows (arm) and Matt Vierling (shoulder) both set to miss Opening Day. Wenceel Perez also recently dealt with back tightness, though he managed to return Saturday after missing a few days of action. Even with Perez back in the fold, the Tigers could use some more outfield depth, which is why they're giving Torkelson a try. He has only ever played first base or served as the DH in the majors, though the former Arizona State star did see some time in the outfield during his college days. Any additional positional versatility would help Torkelson's chances of making the Opening Day roster and could give him a bit more fantasy value this season.
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Christian Walker 1B | HOU
Astros' Christian Walker: Closing in on return
Astros manager Joe Espada said Sunday that Walker (oblique) is scheduled to return to spring games next weekend and should be ready for Opening Day, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Walker has been rehabbing from a sore left oblique that developed in early March and has progressed to hitting in a batting cage. Walker signed a three-year, $60 million contract with the Astros in December after spending the last eight seasons with the Diamondbacks.
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Kyle Manzardo 1B | CLE
Guardians' Kyle Manzardo: Clubs third spring homer
Manzardo went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run in Saturday's spring game against the Royals.
Manzardo launched his third Cactus League home run and is batting .412 (14-for-34) with five extra-base hits and seven RBI through 13 games. The 24-year-old should be a lineup regular in 2025 for the Guardians, either at designated hitter or first base.
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Nick Kurtz 1B | ATH
Athletics' Nick Kurtz: X-rays negative on hand
Kurtz, who was hit by a pitch on his right hand during Saturday's game against the Rangers, underwent X-rays that came back negative, Jessica Kleinschmidt of TheComeback.com reports.
Kurtz took a fastball off his hand in the seventh inning and was taken out of the game immediately. Initial imaging didn't reveal any fractures, but he'll continue to undergo tests to determine the severity of the injury.
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Nick Kurtz 1B | ATH
Athletics' Nick Kurtz: Hit by pitch, exits game
Kurtz was removed from Saturday's Cactus League game against the Rangers after getting hit on the hand by a pitch, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Kurtz took a 94-mph fastball off his hand in the seventh inning of Saturday's contest and was immediately replaced on the basepaths. The 22-year-old prospect will presumably undergo imaging to make sure he avoided serious damage, and the team should offer an update on his status in the near future.