MLB Player News

O'Hearn (groin) will bat third while serving as the Royals' designated hitter in Thursday's Cactus League game against the Giants.

O'Hearn's return to the lineup supports the notion that the Royals' decision to remove him from Tuesday's game against the Mariners was mostly a matter of caution while he dealt with a left groin injury. The 28-year-old has enjoyed a red-hot spring with 10 hits -- including a pair of home runs -- across 20 at-bats.

Lowe is expected to be the Opening Day cleanup hitter, Chris Halicke of SI.com reports.

The lefty-hitting Lowe is nice fit between two righties -- Mitch Garver and Adolis Garcia. The caveat with that strategy is that the jury is still out on whether Lowe mash like a traditional corner infielder and cleanup hitter. There's untapped potential in the bat, and Lowe has hinted at it during spring games. He's slashing .381/.381/.571 over 21 at-bats across seven games. Lowe's batted third, fourth or fifth in Cactus League contests.

Vaughn (hip) was able to take a limited number of swings in the batting cage Wednesday, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Vaughn's availability for Opening Day is still up in the air after the White Sox announced Monday that the 23-year-old is tending to a right hip pointer that will keep him from playing for 1-to-2 weeks. Though his status may not become clearer until next week, Vaughn's ability to do at least some baseball activity Wednesday is a positive sign. For what it's worth, Vaughn also noted that he feels "tenfold better" Wednesday compared to earlier in the week.

White (groin) had successful sports hernia surgery and is expected to be out for the foreseeable future, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

The 26-year-old suffered the injury Thursday and was able to get surgery to correct the issue relatively quickly. White is likely to be placed on the 60-day injured list, while Ty France is now solidified as the starting first baseman for the Mariners heading into the 2022 season.

O'Hearn (groin) isn't starting Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Giants.

O'Hearn was removed from Tuesday's matchup as a precautionary measure, and he'll be held out of the starting lineup Wednesday. He'll have just over a week to return to full health prior to Opening Day.

Detroit general manager Al Avila said he wants Torkelson to make the team out of spring training and help the Tigers push toward the playoffs, Jon Paul Morosi of MLB.com reports.

"We want them to make the team," Avila said of Torkelson and fellow top prospect Riley Greene. "That would mean they've been successful and are in a position to help us make the playoffs this year." Avila added that service-time concerns won't factor into the decision, so if Torkelson looks ready, he figures to make the Opening Day roster. The 22-year-old is batting .286 through nine Grapefruit League games with an .851 OPS, so the performance has been there so far.

O'Hearn left Tuesday's Cactus League game with a left groin injury and is considered day-to-day.

O'Hearn's removal from the contest was labeled a precaution, so it doesn't appear to be a serious injury. Still, any injury this close to Opening Day is noteworthy, and he'll have just over a week to get back on the field before the start of the regular season April 7.

Naylor (lower leg) will bat fifth and play right field Tuesday against the Dodgers.

Naylor suffered multiple fibula fractures and ligament tearing in late June of last year. He spent the rest of the season on the sidelines and took things slow to start spring, but he's now set for game action. After coming back from such a serious injury, he may need more than just the nine days remaining before Opening Day to get fully up to speed. It's possible he opens the year on the injured list, but his return Tuesday is nevertheless a significant step in the right direction.

Pratto was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Monday.

Pratto looked solid at the dish to start spring training, going 5-for-15 with a home run, three RBI, one stolen base and seven runs scored, but he'll start the year at Triple-A, as anticipated. He hit .250 with 21 homers, 55 RBI and five stolen bags over 63 games a season ago with the Storm Chasers.

The Guardians optioned Arias to Triple-A Columbus on Monday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

After being acquired from the Padres in August 2020, Arias made his debut for his new organization in 2021, spending the entire season with Columbus. Over his 483 plate appearances, Arias produced a respectable .802 OPS, but the Guardians will send him back to Columbus to begin 2022 for further refinement. Assuming his performance doesn't dramatically regress from a season ago, the 22-year-old should get the chance to make his big-league debut later in the campaign for a rebuilding Cleveland club that could be in evaluation mode in the second half.