MLB Player News

The Tigers released Poche on Thursday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Poche never appeared in a Grapefruit League game after signing an NRI deal with the Tigers in February, and the team will now decide to move on from him rather than stash him away in their farm system. Poche allowed 13 earned runs in just 9.1 innings in the majors last season and finished the year with a 5.40 ERA across 16.2 minor-league frames.

The Tigers released Bickford (triceps) on Thursday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Bickford signed a minor-league deal with the Tigers in January and was a non-roster invitee to spring training, but he never pitched in a game due to a triceps injury. He'll now look for another opportunity in the free-agent market, but he may have a hard time landing with another team until his triceps issue clears up.

Bradford (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday.

It will be Bradford's first official game action since he underwent an internal brace procedure on his left elbow last June. The left-hander will need most, if not all, of the allotted 30 days on his rehab assignment, but if all goes well he could be ready to pitch for the Rangers around the start of May. Whether the Rangers use Bradford as a starter or reliever upon his activation could depend on what the team's needs are at the time.

Effross (oblique) will throw a bullpen session Friday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Effross suffered a left oblique strain in early March and is finally ready to throw off the mound again. The sidearming reliever has struggled from a health and results perspective in recent years but will give the Tigers some experienced bullpen depth at Triple-A Toledo once he's healthy.

Owens (hip) will begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Lakeland on Saturday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Owens is working his way back from arthroscopic right hip surgery after re-signing with the Tigers on a minor-league contract. The righty got a cup of coffee in the majors last season and should join the Triple-A Toledo bullpen once he's deemed physically ready.

Perez gave up two hits, including a solo home run, in two-thirds of an inning Wednesday to record his first hold of the season in an extra-inning loss to the Phillies.

The 29-year-old lefty entered the game with two outs in the seventh inning and retired Kyle Schwarber, but Bryce Harper then took Perez deep to lead off the eighth as the Nationals' bullpen squandered a 5-0 lead. Perez may not hang onto a high-leverage role much longer if he can't keep the ball in the park -- he's served up two homers in his first three appearances and 2.2 innings this season, although his 3:0 K:BB is more promising than his 6.75 ERA.

Taylor will be the White Sox' opening pitcher in Friday's game against the Blue Jays, LaMond Pope of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Taylor will take the ball first as the White Sox begin their first homestand of the season before handing things off to Sean Burke, who will handle the bulk of the innings. The 23-year-old Taylor has tossed one inning in each of his first two appearances this season but is expected to eventually stretch out to cover multiple frames, as his goal is to reach 100 innings in 2026 before moving into the rotation in 2027.

Rogers gave up two hits in a scoreless inning of relief to record his second hold of the season in Wednesday's loss to the Rockies.

The veteran sidearmer was the first man out of the bullpen for Toronto after Kevin Gausman had dominated for six scoreless innings, and Rogers kept the shutout going before the team's other relievers stumbled late. Rogers has seen a heavy workload to begin his Blue Jays tenure, appearing in four of the season's first six games and posting a 0.00 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 3:1 K:BB.

Ferguson (oblique) threw from 60 feet on flat ground Wednesday, MLB.com reports.

Ferguson will join Cincinnati on its seven-game road trip that begins Friday in Texas before heading to Miami next week. Going out on the road with the team suggests the left-handed reliever is nearing a return, but the next step will be throwing off a mound.

Duran (1-1) earned the win Wednesday against the Nationals after retiring all three batters he faced, striking out one.

Duran was called upon for the 10th inning after the Phillies mounted a late comeback to force extras, and he needed only six pitches (four strikes) to retire the side. This was Duran's first win of the season, and he's also gone 2-for-2 in save chances early on. He hasn't allowed a run in three of his first four outings in 2026.