MLB Player News

Vargas (foot) took batting practice Monday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Vargas is working his way back from a bruised foot, as he shed his crutches Sunday and progressed to taking batting practice Monday. The 26-year-old is just 1-for-15 this spring, so unless Vargas returns to the field soon, he could temporarily lose his Opening Day DH spot to Byungho Park.

Soler is dealing with a strained oblique and could open the season on the 10-day DL, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Ticketed for a full-time role in right field entering spring training, Soler struggled through much of Cactus League play prior to suffering the injury, batting just .143 with two homers in 49 at-bats. While the Royals haven't indicated that Soler's injury will put him at risk of a long-term absence, the possibility that he'll miss Opening Day could allow speedster Terrance Gore to make the club as a reserve outfielder. Paulo Orlando can be expected to serve as Soler's primary replacement for however long he's sidelined.

Vargas (foot) will attempt to run on the field Sunday, MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger reports.

Vargas is no longer using crutches, but was still limping Sunday morning after having fouled a ball off his left foot Friday. The 26-year-old has gone just 1-for-15 at the dish during spring training, and if he's unable to shake off the injury and return to action within the next week, the Twins could opt to go with Byungho Park as their regular DH to begin the season.

Cabrera (back) will man first base and bat third in the order during Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Cabrera was able to take batting practice Saturday, which was good enough for the Tigers to sign off on his return to the lineup after back tightness had troubled him since he suited up for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic. He's only expected to get two at-bats Sunday, as manager Brad Ausmus wants to keep Cabrera off his feet as much as possible.

Vargas will seek a second opinion on his left foot, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Bollinger notes that Vargas was walking around the Twins clubhouse on crutches Saturday after he fouled a ball of his foot Friday. Vargas has struggled at the dish this spring with a .077/.250/.077 slash line in 13 at-bats. The timing of the injury is particularly unfortunate with roster cuts looming ahead of Opening Day. Conversely, fellow DH candidate Byungho Park has strung together an excellent .359/.422/.718 line over a larger sample of 39 at-bats this spring.

Cabrera (back) is set to take batting practice Saturday and will start at first base Sunday if all goes well, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Manager Brad Ausmus says the slugger has been steadily progressing and will get two at-bats Sunday if he ends up playing. Cabrera has been held out of action since experiencing tightness during the World Baseball Classic, though it appears he's nearly back to full strength and ready to continue Opening Day preparations. In just seven Grapefruit League games this spring, the All-Star has six hits in 18 at-bats.

Buxton will not be the Twins' leadoff hitter this season because his bat is "too valuable" according to manager Paul Molitor, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports.

Buxton hit third in the spring game prior to Molitor's announcement, and that could be where he winds up come Opening Day. He has been showing solid power (.500 slugging percentage) this spring and his combination of speed and power would be a boon anywhere in the upper half of a lineup. Buxton hit 10 home runs in September alone last year, so it makes sense that the Twins would try and put him in a position to hit with more runners on base.

Vargas left Friday's game after fouling a ball off his foot and bruising it, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Luckily for Vargas it doesn't sound like this will be a long-term injury, as he needs to get at-bats in before spring training ends. Still, his recovery will be worth watching, because every day Vargas misses is another chance for Byungho Park to make his case for the Twins' starting designated hitter job.

Vargas limped off the field in obvious pain after a flyout during Friday's spring training game, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Vargas was slated to get as many at-bats as possible before the regular season starts as he didn't get much playing time during Puerto Rico's WBC run. This early exit wasn't about rust or a lack of conditioning -- Vargas fouled a ball off his shin -- but regardless, if he misses significant time, this injury might just open the door for Byungho Park to grab the Twins' DH job.

Martinez (foot) sprained his lisfranc ligament and will be out 3-4 weeks, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

This is a tough blow for Martinez, who injured his foot making a diving catch in a recent Grapefruit League game. The 29-year-old will now head to the DL to start the season, with his return likely falling somewhere in mid-April. With his absence looming, JaCoby Jones and Steven Moya could possibly be short-term replacements in right field to start the season.