MLB Player News

Manzardo started at designated hitter and went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in Monday's spring game against the Diamondbacks.

Manzardo connected on a changeup for his first home run of the Cactus League. The 24-year-old got his feet wet in the majors last season and is viewed as a potential replacement for the power lost when the Guardians sent Josh Naylor to Arizona during the offseason. The left-handed batter fared well against all pitching in the minors but was held to a .566 OPS and just 19 at-bats against southpaws in the majors.

Walter (shoulder) allowed one run on two hits and a walk while striking out one batter over one inning in Saturday's 6-3 loss to the Nationals in Grapefruit League action.

Walter missed the entirety of the 2024 season while nursing a right shoulder strain, but he's now all set for the 2025 campaign. The left-hander last pitched in 2023, producing a 6.26 ERA and 1.70 WHIP with 16 strikeouts over 23.0 innings in nine appearances with the Red Sox. Walter is participating in spring training as a non-roster invitee and if he sticks around with the Astros, he'll likely begin the year with Triple-A Sugar Land.

Marsh (shoulder) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session Monday, Jaylon Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.

Marsh reportedly threw a side session Friday, though he noted Monday that he considers his latest throwing session his first of camp. "That was pretty much my first bullpen of the year," said Marsh. "I touched the mound once before I got shut down, so I wouldn't even count that as a bullpen. That was the first time I had gotten off the mound since last year." This is a promising step forward for the right-hander, who is in the process of recovering from tightness in his right shoulder. The club will likely see how he feels following Monday's bullpen before determining if he's ready to face live hitters.

Adams (forearm) allowed one hit and struck out three over one scoreless inning during Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays.

Adams closed out the 2024 campaign on the injured list due to right forearm tendinitis. He's officially received a clean bill of health and looked sharp Sunday as he continues to fight for a spot on the Opening Day roster.

Dingler went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.

Dingler saw 27 games of action during his MLB debut in 2024, and his role figures to grow this year as the presumed Opening Day backup to Jake Rogers behind the plate. If Dingler impresses during camp and gets off to a hot start in the regular season, he could even push Rogers for starting duties, as the former struggled last year with a .197/.255/.352 slash line. Either way, both catchers should have some fantasy utility in deeper formats, though they figure to cap each other's value to a degree while splitting time.

Mize tossed two scoreless innings in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees. He allowed two hits and struck out three.

Mize made the start for the Tigers and helped blank New York along with five Detroit relievers. The 27-year-old was making his return from Tommy John surgery in 2024 and posted a 4.49 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 78 strikeouts across 102.1 regular-season innings. Mize mostly worked as a starter last year, though the Tigers did shift him to the bullpen down the stretch. It's unclear what his role will ultimately be in 2025, but the Tigers will likely give the 2018 No. 1 overall pick every opportunity to win a rotation spot this spring.

Chafin signed a minor-league contract with the Tigers on Monday that includes an invitation to spring training.

A 34-year-old lefty, Chafin had a 3.51 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 70 strikeouts in 56.1 innings in the majors last season split between Texas and Detroit. Tyler Holton and Sean Guenther are the Tigers' top left-handed relievers on big-league deals.

Houck threw indoors to make up for the innings he lost due to Monday's game against the Yankees getting postponed, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Houck will build up his workload in an unofficial setting Monday rather than try to make up the innings Tuesday. The 28-year-old righty logged a career-high 178.2 innings in 2024, and his 55.9 percent groundball rate was the fifth-best mark among qualified starters.

Stroman, who had been scheduled to start Tuesday against the Twins in Fort Myers, will stay back in Tampa to pitch live batting practice instead, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Stroman logged a scoreless inning with two hits allowed and one strikeout in his first start of the spring last week. If Clarke Schmidt is able to put his back issue in the rearview mirror, Stroman will likely open the year in a long-relief role, although he has been vocal this spring about wanting to start.

Champlain will start Thursday's Cactus League game against the Brewers, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Champlain isn't a serious contender for a rotation spot out of spring training, but the 25-year-old righty will serve as rotation depth this season. Last year, Champlain was excellent at Double-A (29.5 K-BB%, 0.92 WHIP) as an older pitcher but was much less effective after a promotion to Triple-A (5.6 K-BB%, 1.40 WHIP). Still, he covered 140.1 innings last year, so he's ready to handle a significant workload again, and it's possible he can take a step forward in a return to the highest level of the minors.