MLB Player News

Malloy was scratched from the lineup for Friday's split-squad game against the Yankees due to an illness, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

The 25-year-old was penciled in to bat leadoff but will instead sit out due to a stomach bug. Malloy likely isn't in danger of missing Opening Day and should be back in action within a few days.

Manzardo was scratched from Friday's Cactus League lineup due to left shoulder inflammation, SI.com reports.

The severity of the injury is unclear, but Manzardo will be withheld from the lineup for at least one game. The 24-year-old will have a few opportunities to play in exhibition games ahead of Opening Day in Kansas City on Thursday.

The Rays optioned Bigge to Triple-A Durham on Friday, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

Bigge has permitted just two runs with a 6:1 K:BB over seven innings during Grapefruit League action but nonetheless will begin the season at Durham. The hard-throwing righty should be back in the big-league bullpen sooner rather than later.

The Rays optioned Orze to Triple-A Durham on Friday, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

Orze has been excellent during Grapefruit League play, posting a 1.42 ERA with 10 strikeouts over 6.1 frames. However, he has minor-league options remaining, and the Rays will take advantage of that.

Manager Brandon Hyde said Henderson (side) will take live batting practice Saturday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Hyde admitted Thursday that Henderson is "running out of time" to be ready for Opening Day, but he doesn't appear far off from being cleared for game action. Even if the 23-year-old begins the season on the injured list, he doesn't seem likely to miss much time given where he's at in his rehab program.

Manager A.J. Hinch announced Friday that Maeda (illness) will begin the season working out of the bullpen, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Maeda has been dealing with an illness this week, but there's been no indication it will affect his availability for the start of the season. The right-hander had a 19:1 K:BB across 12.2 innings during spring training, but he served up four home runs and eight earned runs overall. Maeda should serve as a long reliever and potential spot starter when the Tigers deal with rotation injuries.

Brieske has given up four runs with a 5:1 K:BB over six innings during spring training, and he is expected to be an option to close out games for manager A.J. Hinch this season.

The right-hander recorded just one save during the regular season last year but recorded two more in the playoffs as he finished the year as one of Hinch's most-trusted relievers. Including the postseason, Brieske had a 1.91 ERA across his final 37.2 frames in 2024, priming him to fill a high-leverage role this year. Hinch isn't officially expected to name a closer in the near future, but Brieske, Tyler Holton and Jason Foley should be the main options for saves, with Foley being the early favorite after recording 28 saves during the regular season last year.

Kirby (shoulder) made 20 throws from 60 feet Friday and will expand his throwing distance to 75 feet Saturday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Kirby was cleared to begin a throwing program Friday, two weeks after being sidelined with right shoulder inflammation. The right-hander was given a biologics injection last week, which he said definitely helped speed along the healing process. There is no timetable for when Kirby will be ready to make his season debut, as the Mariners will have to see how he responds to the ramp-up.

Vierling (shoulder) began a hitting progression this week and was cleared Friday to advance his shoulder strengthening exercises, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

The 28-year-old resumed light baseball activities in early March after being shut down due to a strained rotator cuff early in camp, and he's now ramping up his rehab work. Vierling will begin the season on the injured list but could make his season debut sometime in April.

Priester could be trailing Sean Newcomb in the competition to open the season as the Red Sox' fifth starter, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

It seems to be virtually a coin flip, but Browne gives Newcomb the edge. Priester's last Grapefruit League start was his worst, as he yielded three runs on six hits and three walks over 2.2 innings. He also has minor-league options left, while added Newcomb to the roster would allow the Red Sox to retain some depth.