MLB Player News

Walker (oblique) took seven at-bats in a minor-league game Tuesday and is expected to be in the lineup for Thursday's season opener versus the Mets, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The 33-year-old finished spring training having played in just four Grapefruit League games due to the oblique injury. However, Walker is ramping up his rehab work and is expected to be good to go for Thursday's Opening Day matchup with New York.

Casas is not in the Red Sox's lineup for Tuesday's exhibition game against Sultanes de Monterrey after taking a bad-hop grounder off the right hand in Monday's contest, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Casas attempted to barehand the grounder, but the ball bounced off his hand and into right field. X-rays after the game came back negative, so Casas sitting Tuesday seems precautionary, but more should be known about his status after the contest.

Singleton cleared waivers and was released by the Astros on Tuesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The 33-year-old failed to make Houston's Opening Day roster and will now explore his options in free agency. If Singleton is unable to find a better landing spot, it's possible he returns to the Astros on a minor-league deal. He had a .707 OPS with 13 homers in 119 regular-season games in 2024.

The Mariners selected Tellez's contract from Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reports.

Mitch Haniger's release signified that the move was coming, and now it's official. Tellez won a job by collecting an .894 OPS with three home runs this spring, and he could see fairly regular playing time against right-handed pitching between designated hitter and first base.

The Royals optioned Loftin to Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.

Loftin fell shy of an Opening Day roster spot despite a 1.052 OPS during Cactus League play. He will play regularly at Omaha while awaiting another chance at the big-league level.

Pasquantino has been diagnosed with a Grade 1-plus right hamstring strain, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Pasquantino -- who suffered the injury during Saturday's Cactus League game -- said Monday that he plans on playing in Thursday's opener, but he added, "that's just me speaking as a player." The ultimate decision lies with the Royals, and they may very well choose to hold Pasquantino out. He will not play in the team's final two exhibition games Monday and Tuesday but will hit in the batting cage Monday and on the field Tuesday. If Pasquantino isn't ready for the start of the season, Mark Canha and Salvador Perez represent options at first base for Kansas City.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Monday that he plans to start Burleson at designated hitter and bat him fifth Opening Day against Twins right-hander Pablo Lopez, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

It's the spot Burleson is in for Monday's exhibition game versus Triple-A Memphis in what Marmol indicated is a preview of his Opening Day lineup. While Burleson is slated to serve as the primary DH against right-handed pitching, he will likely have to yield the spot to Nolan Gorman on occasion.

Astros manager Joe Espada said that Walker (oblique) played six innings on defense and hit a home run during a simulated game Monday, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Espada added that Walker remains on track to be ready to roll for Opening Day on Thursday against the Mets. Walker played only four Grapefruit League contests due to left oblique soreness but has been getting in some at-bats in minor-league games to prep for the start of the regular season.

Pasquantino (hamstring) is not in the lineup for Monday's Cactus League contest versus the Rangers, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.

Pasquantino strained his right hamstring during Saturday's Cactus League game. While the first baseman has downplayed the injury, he might need to show he can play in the Royals' final exhibition tilt Tuesday before being cleared to play Opening Day. If Pasquantino isn't ready to play at the start of the season, the Royals could use Salvador Perez and/or Mark Canha at first base.

The Royals selected Canha's contract from Triple-A Omaha on Monday.

Canha was acquired via trade from the Brewers last week with the anticipation that he would be added to the roster, and the Royals have now made that move official. The 36-year-old should operate mostly in a reserve role, although he might see some starts at first base early on if Vinnie Pasquantino (hamstring) has to miss time.