MLB Player News

The Royals placed Massey (calf) on the 10-day injured list Wednesday.

Massey has been ramping things back up, and because the IL move is backdated to Sunday, he will be eligible for activation April 1. It's unclear whether he'll be ready to return from his calf strain by that time, but his absence is projected to be brief.

The Royals placed Kolek (oblique) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Kolek strained his left oblique in late February. He's been throwing off a mound and appears close to returning to game action, though the righty could be assigned to Triple-A Omaha rather than the major-league club once he's healthy.

The Tigers designated Smith for assignment Wednesday.

The right-hander was optioned to Triple-A Toledo in early March and is now losing his place on the 40-man roster. Smith made his MLB debut with seven relief appearances for the Tigers last year and pitched well, posting a 1.38 ERA and 0.85 WHIP despite a 4:5 K:BB.

The Astros placed Dezenzo (elbow) on the 10-day injured list Wednesday.

Dezenzo hurt his elbow while playing for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic. There's no timetable for his return, but the fact that he was diagnosed with a sprain suggests it could be longer than a minimum absence.

The Twins designated Jackson for assignment Wednesday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Jackson was acquired via trade from the Orioles in November and signed to a one-year, $1.35 million contract. However, the Twins later signed Victor Caratini to serve as the backup catcher, making Jackson expendable. If he's not traded, Jackson will likely pass through waivers due to his contract and could accept an assignment to Triple-A St. Paul.

The Royals designated Waters for assignment Wednesday.

Waters failed to crack the Opening Day roster and doesn't have minor-league options remaining, so he's headed to waivers. The 27-year-old outfielder sports a career .234/.300/.369 batting line and 31.1 percent strikeout rate over parts of four major-league seasons.

The Twins placed Festa (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Festa recently resumed a throwing program after being shut down in late February due to a right shoulder impingement, so his move to the IL was fully expected. He could be ready to return from the IL at some point in the second half of April.

Weathers completed five innings in Tuesday's exhibition game against the Cubs, allowing one run on four hits and one walk while striking out four batters.

Weathers entered as a reliever in the third inning but got in a healthy workload of five frames spanning 80 pitches (57 strikes). He held Chicago to just one run on a Miguel Amaya solo homer. Weathers had a bumpy spring and finished the exhibition slate with an 8.83 ERA and 1.79 WHIP across 17.1 innings, but he did register an impressive 21:4 K:BB. The left-hander has been tabbed to be part of New York's season-opening rotation and is tentatively slated to make his first start Monday in Seattle.

The Tigers selected McGonigle's contract from Double-A Erie on Wednesday.

The transaction was merely a formality after the Tigers confirmed Tuesday that the 21-year-old star prospect would be included on the Opening Day roster. McGonigle earned the right to bypass the Triple-A level and make his MLB debut Thursday in San Diego after slashing .250/.411/.477 with two home runs and two stolen bases over 56 plate appearances in spring training. He's expected to handle an everyday role while splitting time between third base and shortstop, and he could occupy a prominent spot in the batting order right away.

The Yankees placed Cole (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Cole got into a couple games this spring, allowing one run with a 3:0 K:BB over 2.2 innings. The veteran right-hander continues to check all the boxes as he works his way back from March 2025 Tommy John surgery with an internal brace, and the Yankees anticipate Cole being ready to rejoin their rotation by the end of May.