MLB Player News

Baez (back) is expected back in the Tigers' Grapefruit League lineup Saturday versus the Pirates, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Baez hasn't played since being scratched from Tuesday's lineup with lower-back tightness. However, he'll go through a full workout Friday and, if all goes well, will be back in action this weekend.

Brieske (rib cage) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Brieske had to be pulled from Monday's Grapefruit League appearance versus Atlanta due to right ribcage tightness. If the reliever gets through Saturday's mound session with no concerns, he should be cleared to return to game action next week.

The Tigers optioned Miller (hip) to minor-league camp Friday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Miller is still recovering from surgery on both hips and did not make any Grapefruit League appearances. He will get a late start to the minor-league season, as well, and should eventually land at Double-A Erie.

The Tigers optioned Sommers to minor-league camp Friday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Sommers managed to yield no hits in three Grapefruit League innings, but he walked four, hit two batters with a pitch and also threw a wild pitch en route to two runs allowed. The southpaw will operate out of the Triple-A Toledo bullpen to begin 2026.

Correa was scratched from Friday's Grapefruit League lineup versus the Nationals due to stiffness on the right side of his neck, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Astros manager Joe Espada said of Correa that "we'll see how he feels tomorrow," so it's fair to call the veteran infielder day-to-day for now. Correa had been slated to start at third base Friday, but he is a candidate to slide over to shortstop if Jeremy Pena (finger) isn't ready for Opening Day.

Lopez (elbow) is scheduled to start Sunday's Cactus League game against the Angels.

The left-hander built up slowly early in camp after finishing 2025 on the injured list due to an elbow strain, and he's now ready to make his Cactus League debut this weekend. Lopez received his first extended look in the majors last season and was a decent rotation piece for the A's with a 4.08 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 113:37 K:BB across 92.2 innings. The 27-year-old is expected to open the campaign as a member of the starting rotation.

Briceno said Friday that he expects to be sidelined a few months after having surgery Wednesday to repair a tendon in his right wrist, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Briceno injured the wrist in a Grapefruit League contest last weekend and is now looking at an extended absence. The 21-year-old slashed .266/.383/.500 with 20 home runs over 100 games between High-A West Michigan and Double-A Erie in 2025. Once healthy, he'll likely head back to Erie.

Eflin (back) allowed one hit and one walk in two scoreless innings during Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays. He struck out three.

It was an impressive outing by Eflin, who made his first game appearance since undergoing back surgery last year. The 31-year-old right-hander even showcased some increased velocity, with his fastball topping out at 94 mph after averaging 91.9 mph the past two seasons. If all continues to go smoothly during spring training, Eflin remains on track to dodge the injured list and be part of Baltimore's Opening Day rotation to begin 2026, per Jake Rill of MLB.com.

Tolle allowed one hit and one walk while striking out seven over three innings of relief in Tuesday's spring game against the Yankees.

This was the best of three Grapefruit League outings for Tolle, who entered as a reliever and upped his pitch count reached 44 (28 strikes). It was his second straight relief outing, but he remains in the mix for a rotation spot along with Connelly Early and Johan Oviedo (the frontrunner). Red Sox manager Alex Cora was enthused by the performance and the results of Tolle's curveball, which along with his changeup, could make the fastball play better.

The Yankees optioned Hampton (elbow) to Double-A Somerset on Thursday.

Hampton underwent Tommy John surgery in February of 2025 and missed all of last season, and he was in big-league camp while going through his rehab program. As the 2026 season nears, the right-hander is still progressing toward a possible return in May or June.