MLB Player News

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said that Cabrera will start at first base in Thursday's season opener versus Cleveland, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

After being bothered by knee issues early on during the 2019 campaign, Cabrera transitioned from first base to designated hitter in mid-July of that season. Cabrera returned to full health in 2020, but the Tigers still elected to use him exclusively as a designated hitter in an effort to keep him fresh for the entire season. Though that plan worked well, Cabrera expressed a desire this spring to see more work in the field this year, and Hinch seems prepared to honor that request. Woodbery speculates that Cabrera is unlikely to play the field more than once or twice per week, but that still could be enough for him to qualify at first base in many fantasy leagues by the end of April.

Cleveland announced Tuesday that Ramirez will be a part of its five-man taxi squad for its season-opening series in Detroit, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Though Ramirez was unable to win a spot on Cleveland's 26-man Opening Day roster, he looks like he'll be first in line for a promotion if the club requires an extra outfielder. He saw action in the majors with the Marlins the past two seasons, slashing a collective .274/.311/.411 in 456 plate appearances.

Angels manager Joe Maddon said that he expects Ohtani (finger) will be ready to pitch in his first scheduled start of the season Sunday against the White Sox, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Ohtani made his fourth and final appearance on the mound this spring Monday against the Dodgers, working only 2.1 innings before bowing out of the contest after developing a blister on his right middle finger. He was lit up for seven runs before departing, inflating his spring ERA to 12.19 over 10.1 innings. Fortunately, the blister doesn't seem to be viewed as a major concern, as Maddon noted that the two-way standout would be able to serve at DH in Tuesday's spring finale against the Dodgers. Assuming Ohtani makes it through a bullpen session later this week without issue, he should be ready to pitch Sunday, though he likely won't be asked to work deep into the contest.

Choi is scheduled to undergo arthroscopic right knee surgery Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

An official timeline for his return likely won't be announced until surgery is completed, but the Rays are planning on Choi being sidelined for around 3-to-5 weeks, per Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network. Choi has been dealing with soreness and inflammation in his right knee since the beginning of camp, and after a pair of cortisone injections failed to fully resolve the discomfort, he'll now have to get a cleanup procedure. While Choi is on the mend, the Rays are expected to lean primarily on a platoon of Yoshi Tsutsugo and Yandy Diaz at first base, with Mike Brosseau also potentially factoring in at the position.

The Angels confirmed that Ohtani left Monday's start with a blister on his right hand, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

According to Ardaya, Ohtani's blister was caught early, which is promising news for the ballclub. General manager Perry Minasian stated that there's nothing else to report on Ohtani's status at this time, per Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times.

Doctors confirmed Monday that Jimenez suffered a pectoral tear, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Jimenez will undergo surgery Tuesday to repair the damage following this confirmation. There is some good news for the White Sox, in that the recovery period is expected to last around four-to-five months, which is slightly better than the initial five-to-six month timeframe.

Ohtani was removed from Monday night's spring start due to an apparent right middle finger injury, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Ardaya notes that Ohtani was looking at his right hand throughout the inning, so there's certainly a possibility that this is nothing more than a blister issue, especially considering his history with blisters. Expect more news on the extent of the injury to emerge after further evaluation.

Mercedes chances of claiming a roster spot improved Monday when the White Sox released Jonathan Lucroy, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Mercedes slashed .283/.340/.348 with eight RBI over 50 spring plate appearances and showed quick pop times on throws to second base. If he makes the roster, he and Zack Collins will backup starter Yasmani Grandal, and both could operate at DH.

Collins benefits from the White Sox releasing Jonathan Lucroy on Monday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Collins already had a bead on the Opening Day roster, but his chances were greatly enhanced with Lucroy's release. He made modest improvements behind the dish under the tutelage of catching instructor Jerry Narron and batted .295/.380/.523 with three home runs, one double and six RBI over 50 spring plate appearances.

Cabrera 2-for-3 with a three-run home run in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.

Cabrera has had a fairly quiet spring, as this was just his second home run and he's batting .225 with a .650 OPS. However, the most important thing is that the 37-year-old appears to be healthy heading into the regular season. Cabrera will likely be the Tigers' designated hitter most days, but new manager A.J. Hinch has said he's committed to playing the veteran at first base one or two times per week.