MLB Player News
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Spencer Torkelson 1B | DET
Tigers' Spencer Torkelson: Exits simulated game after HBP
Torkelson was removed from a simulated game Tuesday after being hit on the right forearm by a pitch, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
Torkelson received treatment from the trainer, but it's unclear whether he will need to be sent for testing. It's possible Torkelson's removal from the simulated game was purely precautionary, but the Tigers should offer more on the first baseman's status soon.
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Triston Casas 1B | BOS
Red Sox's Triston Casas: Won't play in spring training games
Casas (knee) conceded Monday that he won't play in any Grapefruit League games, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.
Casas had hoped to play in some spring training contests before the schedule concluded, but he will run out of time. He has yet to do any baserunning or sliding, and a clearer timetable for his game readiness won't be available until he checks off those boxes. Casas is working his way back from patellar tendon surgery on his left knee, which he underwent back on May 4.
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Eduardo Valencia 1B | DET
Tigers' Eduardo Valencia: Sent out to Triple-A
The Tigers optioned Valencia to Triple-A Toledo on Monday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Valencia joined the Tigers for big-league camp but never appeared likely to make the Opening Day roster so long as Dillon Dingler and Jake Rogers emerged from spring training with their health intact. The 26-year-old backstop should get the chance to play fairly regularly at Toledo and could get his first big-league call-up if Dingler or Rogers misses time at any point.
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Munetaka Murakami 1B | CHW
White Sox's Munetaka Murakami: Two hits through three WBC games
Murakami (fatigue) has gone 2-for-10 with two walks, three runs, one RBI and one stolen base in three games for Team Japan during the World Baseball Classic.
Murakami was scratched from the White Sox's Cactus League lineup Feb. 26 due to a bout of fatigue, but as expected, he's been fully cleared to play in WBC games with Japan. The 26-year-old infielder will remain with Japan for the duration of its WBC run before rejoining the White Sox for the final week of spring training.
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Rhys Hoskins 1B | CLE
Guardians' Rhys Hoskins: Belts first spring homer
Hoskins started at first base and went 2-for-3 with a home run and four RBI in Saturday's spring game against San Diego.
Hoskins, who served as the designated hitter in his first four Cactus League appearances, made his first start in the field. His first at-bat was an epic 13-pitch battle with Padres starter Michael King that ended in a strikeout. Two innings later, he took King deep on a first-pitch fastball for his first spring homer, a two-run shot. An inning later, the first baseman singled in another two runs. Until Saturday, Hoskins was having a difficult spring, going 1-for-12 while striking out seven times.
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Yandy Diaz 1B | TB
Rays' Yandy Diaz: Nursing sore hand
Manager Kevin Cash said that Diaz has been out of the Rays' Grapefruit League lineup since Tuesday due to a sore left hand, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Cash downplayed any concern about the injury, noting that Diaz is expected to rest for a couple more days before he begins swinging a bat again Tuesday. If all goes well, Diaz could check back into the lineup later in the week.
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Jonathan Aranda 1B | TB
Rays' Jonathan Aranda: Hot hitting this spring
Aranda went 2-for-5 with a three-run home run for Mexico in Friday's 8-2 win over Great Britain in the World Baseball Classic.
Aranda's hot start to spring training appears to have carried into the WBC -- the first baseman has gone 5-for-13 (.385) with a double and two walks over six Grapefruit League outings. Even with the Rays heading back to pitcher-friendly Tropicana Field in 2026, the 27-year-old should occupy a premium spot in Tampa Bay's lineup to begin the new year. Aranda was a strong four-category fantasy contributor when healthy in 2025, as he hit .316 with 14 homers, 59 RBI and 56 runs scored across 370 regular-season at-bats (106 games).
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Trey Mancini 1B | LAA
Angels' Trey Mancini: Scratched from lineup with illness
Mancini was scratched from Friday's Cactus League lineup versus the Guardians due to illness, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
Mancini -- who is in Angels camp as a non-roster invitee -- should be ready to return to action in a day or two. Donovan Walton will sub in at designated hitter for Mancini on Friday.
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Ben Rice 1B | NYY
Yankees' Ben Rice: Swats first spring homer
Rice went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and an RBI double in Wednesday's Grapefruit League win against the Red Sox.
Rice belted a run-scoring double in the third inning and capped the scoring in the game with a 412-foot solo shot in the fifth. The slugger is enjoying a nice spring, slashing .400/.471/.667 with four RBI through five games. Rice is slated to work as the Yankees' primary first baseman this season and should also see some time at catcher and DH.
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Nick Loftin 1B | KC
Royals' Nick Loftin: Strong spring continues
Loftin started at first base and went 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored in Monday's Cactus League loss to the Angels.
Loftin consistently squared the ball up Monday, rocketing both of his hits at 103.8 mph, with his lone out coming on a 99.4 mph groundout. The 27-year-old is off to a strong start in Cactus League play, going 5-for-17 with two doubles, a homer, six RBI and a stolen base through seven appearances. The utility man hit just .208/.278/.357 with 15 extra-base hits and 20 RBI across 67 MLB appearances last season but is competing for a spot on the Kansas City bench in 2026. With 10 Royals on the 40-man roster away competing in the World Baseball Classic, Loftin stands to benefit from additional spring opportunities, according to Anne Rogers of MLB.com.