MLB Player News

Springer went 1-for-3 with a walk and a three-run home run in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

The veteran outfielder finally connected on his first long ball of the spring when he drove a Jose Ruiz offering over the center-field fence in the third inning. Springer is still batting just .114 (4-for-35) through 14 Grapefruit League appearances, but he has an 8:9 BB:K and might finally be getting his timing down with Opening Day less than a week away. He's set for an everyday role in an outfield corner, and it's unlikely he'll shift back to center field to help cover for the early-season absence of Daulton Varsho (shoulder).

Kikuchi tossed five innings against Colorado in a Cactus League contest Friday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks while striking out five batters.

Kikuchi finished the exhibition slate in good form, and he was able to work up to 88 pitches. The southpaw got 13 whiffs among those offerings, including seven with his slider. Of note, Kikuchi threw only two sweepers Friday -- he's been tinkering with the pitch this spring as a potential addition to his arsenal. The veteran hurler's next time on the mound is slated for Opening Day against the White Sox.

Straw is in the running for a spot on the Blue Jays' Opening Day roster with Daulton Varsho (shoulder) set to begin the season on the injured list, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

The 30-year-old outfielder was dealt to Toronto in January in a salary dump by Cleveland, but Straw might end up making a contribution with his new club. He's batting a blistering .414 (12-for-29) this spring with a 2:5 BB:K while playing his usual strong defense in center field, putting him in the running to help cover for Varsho for the first couple weeks of the season. Both of his primary competitors, Nathan Lukes and prospect Alan Roden, hit from the left side of the plate, so Straw would be a fit alongside either of them if the team elects to use a platoon to replace Varsho.

Kingery cleared waivers Saturday and was sent outright to Triple-A Salt Lake.

Kingery was dropped from the Angels' 40-man roster Monday after going just 4-for-29 during spring training. However, he finished the Triple-A season with an .826 OPS across 507 plate appearances last year, and a similar output in 2025 could allow him to return to the majors for the first time in four years.

Lukes' chances of breaking camp with a bench spot on the Blue Jays' Opening Day roster have improved with Daulton Varsho (shoulder) set to begin the season on the injured list, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Toronto will likely carry two center fielders to cover for Varsho, with Lukes' main competition for those spots being Myles Straw and top prospect Alan Roden. Lukes hasn't done much to bolster his case this spring, batting .206 (7-for-34) in Grapefruit League play with one homer, one steal and a 7:8 BB:K, but the Jays are already familiar with what the 30-year-old has to offer in a bench role. Varsho should be back in early April, so even if Lukes winds up getting a majority of the playing time in center to begin the schedule, his window for fantasy utility will close quickly.

Roden is firmly in the mix for a spot on the Blue Jays' Opening Day roster with Daulton Varsho (shoulder) set to begin the season on the injured list, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

The organization wants Roden, one of its top prospects, to get consistent playing time, but that might be possible in the majors for the first couple weeks of the year with Varsho needing a little more time to complete his recovery from shoulder surgery. Roden has had an outstanding camp at the plate, batting .391 (9-for-23) with a 6:3 K:BB, two doubles and two homers in 18 games, but he could be stretched defensively in center field. Nathan Lukes and Myles Straw are also candidates to help cover for Varsho in center, and two of that trio seem likely to be on Toronto's initial 26-man roster.

General manager Brian Cashman said Saturday that Beeter (shoulder) will be out "a while," Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

While Cashman's comments don't exactly offer the clearest return timeline, it doesn't seem like Beeter is expected back anytime soon. The right-hander has been battling an issue in his throwing shoulder since the start of camp and seemingly hasn't progressed past throwing bullpen sessions.

Baez is starting in center field and batting seventh in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta.

Baez has seen some time at third base this spring, where he hasn't seen regular-season action since 2019, and he'll now try out center, a position he's never played during the regular season in the majors. The Tigers appear to be preparing the veteran for more of a utility role in 2025, with Trey Sweeney in line to serve as the regular shortstop. Baez's already dwindling fantasy value will take a hit if he's not seeing consistent playing time.

Hamilton (infection) will begin the regular season on the injured list, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Hamilton was able to make his spring debut Thursday when he gave up one run on three hits and recorded three strikeouts in one inning of work. However, the Yankees will place him on the injured list to start the season, which will allow the right-handed reliever to continue building up -- likely on a rehab assignment -- before joining New York's bullpen.

Schmidt (shoulder) will begin the season on the injured list, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Schmidt said he felt good following his live BP session Thursday, but he simply doesn't have enough time to stretch out to a starter's workload. Assuming he doesn't suffer any setbacks, he shouldn't require much more than a minimum-length stay on the IL.