MLB Player News

Baez (hip) has initiated a running progression and is expected to start light defensive drills this week.

Baez is working his way back from the arthroscopic surgery he underwent on his right hip in early September. The 32-year-old is expected to have a role with the Tigers in 2025, but he won't be handed everyday at-bats. Baez will likely ramp up his activity in the coming months and he has previously been described to have a "fighting chance" at being ready to go for Opening Day in late March according to Detroit's president of baseball operations Scott Harris.

Jung underwent a minimally invasive surgical procedure on his right wrist in October, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Jung had been dealing with right wrist inflammation late in the season and the 24-year-old is expected to be ready to go for spring training in February. Jung appeared in 34 games with the Tigers during the 2024 regular season, producing a .241 average with five doubles, three RBI and 14 runs scored over 79 at-bats. Manager A.J. Hinch noted Monday that Jung will be given an opportunity to win a job during spring training, and he'll see work at third base, second base and in the designated hitter slot, per Petzold.

The Tigers have asked Malloy to get work at first base during the spring, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Malloy played strictly in the outfield during the 2024 campaign, but Detroit has its sights set on increasing flexibility throughout the roster heading into 2025. Colt Keith will also see time at first base during the spring, which would increase the number of infield combinations available for the club if this idea pans out.

Dominguez appears set to take over in center field for the Yankees in 2025, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Dominguez has a "clear lane" to take over in center field for New York, with Aaron Judge expected to move back to right field in 2025, according to general manager Brian Cashman. Cashman said of Dominguez that the team "obviously believe he has a very high ceiling, and he's healthy." The 21-year-old appeared in 18 games with the Yankees in the 2024 regular season, producing a .179 average with two home runs, four RBI, eight runs scored and five stolen bases over 56 at-bats. Dominguez did compile a much more impressive .309 average with seven long-balls, 25 RBI, 33 runs scored and 15 stolen bases over 44 contests with Triple-A Wilkes-Barre last season.

Detroit has asked Keith to take grounders at first base this spring, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

This doesn't necessarily mean that Keith will see time during the 2025 campaign at first base, but if he fares well enough at first during the spring, it would give the Tigers more infield flexibility. Justyn-Henry Malloy was also asked to try his hand at first base, so the general focus around the organization appears to be increasing the number of potential infield combinations.

Angels general manager Perry Minasian said Monday that Bachman will be stretched out as a starter during spring training, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Bachman was limited to just 16 starts and 61.2 innings -- all in the minors -- in 2024 after recovering from right shoulder surgery. He also accumulated only 43.1 frames in 2023 because of shoulder problems, and all 11 of his appearances in the majors came in relief. However, the Angels still want to develop the righty as a rotation option, with a shift to the bullpen down the line possible. Bachman is likely to begin the 2025 campaign back in the minors.

Angels general manager Perry Minasian said Monday that Silseth (elbow) will be stretched out to start during spring training, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Silseth had right elbow surgery in early August, although it seems it was a minor procedure and he should be at or close to 100 percent for the start of spring training. Seventeen of Silseth's 25 appearances at the big-league level have been starts, but he was limited to just 43.1 innings between the majors and minors in 2024 due to injury and could shift to relief, if needed.

Manager Joe Espada said Monday that he would like to "cut back" on Alvarez's playing time in left field for the 2025 season, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Of the 147 regular-season games Alvarez played in 2024, 94 of them were as the designated hitter compared to 53 games in left field. Part of Espada's desire to restrict Alvarez's playing time in the outfield is partially due with the left-handed slugger's right knee sprain toward the end of the 2024 regular season. If Alvarez serves as the Astros' full-time DH for 2025, that would mean more playing time in the outfield for the likes of Chas McCormick, Mauricio Dubon and 24-year-old Zach Dezenzo, who Rome notes played in left field during winter baseball in Puerto Rico.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Monday that it "makes sense" for Judge to move back to right field next season, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Judge shifted to center field in 2024 to accommodate Juan Soto, but with Soto headed to the Mets, Judge can now man his more familiar right field position. Manager Aaron Boone mentioned Jasson Dominguez as the leading candidate to start in center field in 2025, although Dominguez could play left field if the Yankees acquire a center fielder.

The Tigers have agreed to a one-year contract with Cobb, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Cobb has a connection with president of baseball operations Scott Harris, as the two were both with the Giants during the 2022 season. The veteran right-hander was limited to just 16.1 regular-season innings and 5.2 postseason frames with the Guardians in 2024 due to a variety of injuries but has typically been a solid mid-rotation starter when healthy. Cobb will get to pitch half his games in a pitcher-friendly venue at Comerica Park.