MLB Player News

Lange (lat) is throwing two bullpen sessions per week, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Lange underwent right lat surgery last July. It's uncertain when he might be ready to pitch in games, but he would appear to have a good shot to be ready for Opening Day. Lange will be competing for a spot in the Tigers' bullpen, though he does have minor-league options remaining.

Gipson-Long (elbow/hip) is throwing bullpen sessions twice per week, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Gipson-Long had Tommy John surgery last April and then hip surgery in July. His rehab from the procedures appears to be coming along well, but the right-hander is not expected to return until around midseason.

Flores was given a platelet-rich plasma injection in January to address right shoulder soreness, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Flores is rehabbing daily but it's uncertain when he might be ready to throw again. He is in Tigers camp as a non-roster invitee and seems likely to begin the season at Triple-A Toledo.

Baez (hip) is going through full hitting and defensive drills and is expected to be ready for Opening Day, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Baez continues to rehab after he underwent a right hip labral repair in September and will continue a running progression upon his arrival to camp. While the veteran shortstop is expected to be ready for Opening Day, his role on the Tigers is in flux, as Trey Sweeney is in line to serve as the club's primary shortstop.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Wednesday that Cobb will be set back for about a month due to right hip inflammation, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Cobb's hip began bothering him as he was building up his offseason throwing program. He's been given a platelet-rich plasma injection and will be limited to rehab for a while. The veteran righty has some history with hip issues, although it was his left hip that he had surgery on last offseason. With Cobb likely to miss at least the first month of the season, there's an open spot in the Tigers' rotation. Casey Mize, Matt Manning, Kenta Maeda, Ty Madden, Brant Hurter and Keider Montero could all be in the mix to fill in.

Joyce is unlikely to be the Angels' primary closer with the team's signing of Kenley Jansen (shoulder) on Monday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The Angels and Jansen agreed on a one-year, $10 million contract Monday, which DiGiovanna notes will likely give Joyce "another year to grow into [the] closer role." It wouldn't make much sense for Los Angeles to have signed Jansen for any other reason than to serve as the team's primary closer, as he currently sits first among active players -- and fourth all-time -- with 447 regular-season saves. While Jansen may be nearing the end of his storied career, he showed he still has gas left in the tank with his performance for Boston last year, which included a 3.29 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 28.4 percent strikeout rate and 27 saves. It's still likely that Joyce will get an occasional save opportunity, per Sam Blum of The Athletic, but at least for one season it appears he will be an understudy to Jansen, which cuts down Joyce's fantasy appeal in most formats considerably.

Lee will participate in spring training with the Tigers as a non-roster invitee, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Lee came to Detroit in the Michael Lorenzen trade last summer and is one of the Tigers' top prospects. The 22-year-old infielder played well for Double-A Erie last year following the trade, slashing .298/.363/.488 with 12 home runs and 16 stolen bases in 87 regular-season games. Lee could push his way up to Triple-A for the first time in 2025 and may not be too far off from making his MLB debut if he continues to impress in the minors.

Liranzo will participate in spring training with the Tigers as a non-roster invitee, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Liranzo, who came over to Detroit last summer in the trade that sent Jack Flaherty to the Dodgers, is considered Detroit's top catching prospect. He's only 21 and has yet to appear at the Double-A level, so his MLB debut is probably not coming soon, but he could make a good impression this spring. For the time being, the Tigers figure to roll with Jake Rogers and Dillon Dingler behind the plate. Liranzo should be on the radar in dynasty formats.

Vierling is expected to split time between third base and the outfield once again in 2025, though the Tigers could add another third baseman before the season starts, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

During the 2024 regular season, Vierling saw 51 games of action at third and another 98 in the outfield. A similar split may develop this year, as Vierling could form a platoon with left-hand hitting Jace Jung at the hot corner, with the former shifting to the outfield on days that Jung is in the lineup. One potential complicating factor is the status of free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman, who has been linked to the Tigers and his former Houston manager, A.J. Hinch. If Bregman or another third baseman joins Detroit before the season starts, both Vierling and Jung would figure to see less time at the position. Vierling would still serve in a utility role, though his fantasy value would take a hit.

The Rangers signed Chargois to a minor-league deal Tuesday.

Chargois pitched for Miami and Seattle in 2024, posting a 3-1 record, 2.23 ERA and 1.02 WHIP across 36 relief appearances. However, despite the impressive numbers, he was designated for assignment by the Mariners in November and will now look to eventually earn a spot in Texas' bullpen.