MLB Player News

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Thursday that Wheeler (shoulder) could "possibly" be ready to join the major-league rotation in about six weeks, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Wheeler threw a 21-pitch bullpen session at 80-85 percent effort Thursday, marking the first time he's thrown off a mound since he had surgery last September to address venous thoracic outlet syndrome. The hurler said afterward that, "I felt good, I felt smooth, natural." Six weeks from Thursday would be April 9, and the Phillies are idle that day, but any timeline at this juncture for Wheeler is just an estimate. The veteran righty is unsure whether he will pitch in a Grapefruit League game this spring, noting that "I don't even know when my next bullpen is." The Phillies will tread carefully with the three-time All-Star, but his recovery has gone as well as could be expected to this point.

Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said Friday that Higashioka will be out of the lineup until Sunday due to a back injury, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The veteran backstop, who turns 36 years old in April, is projected to split catching duties with Danny Jansen this season. Higashioka slashed .241/.291/.403 with 11 home runs, a career-best 47 RBI, 33 runs scored and a 20:72 BB:K across 327 plate appearances last season for Texas.

Jung (hamstring) is expected to return to Cactus League action Sunday against the Mariners, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Jung was initially expected to return to the lineup Friday against the White Sox, but the Rangers are giving him a couple extra days of rest. Luke Hanson is making the start at third base for Texas against Chicago.

Seager was scratched from Friday's lineup against the White Sox due to an illness, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Manager Skip Schumaker said Seager will be sidelined for at least a couple days. Cameron Cauley is starting at shortstop versus Chicago on Friday.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Friday that Brieske is day-to-day with thoracic spine inflammation, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Brieske was injured during fielding drill this week and was unable to pitch in Thursday's Grapefruit League contest against Baltimore. The right-hander appeared in 22 regular-season games for the Tigers in 2025, registering a 6.55 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 16:12 K:BB across 22 innings. He's competing for a role in the bullpen.

Yorke added significant muscle over the offseason and also tweaked his swing in order to create more loft, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Yorke worked out for three-and-a-half hours per day on a near-daily basis over the offseason to remake his body and add strength. It's already shown up in his spring training results, too, as he's gone 4-for-11 at the plate in the early going. During Tuesday's game versus the Red Sox, he hit two balls in excess of 110 mph. Yorke is competing for a utility role with the Pirates.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza named Peralta the team's Opening Day starter Friday, Laura Albanese of Newsday reports.

Peralta was the obvious choice after landing with the Mets via trade in January. The veteran right-hander logged a 2.70 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 204:66 K:BB over 176.2 innings covering 33 regular-season starts for the Brewers in 2025. He will be matched up against Paul Skenes and the Pirates on March 26.

Liberatore struck out three over three innings of one-run ball in Thursday's Grapefruit League outing against the Astros.

The Astros had a split-squad lineup that didn't feature any regulars, so Liberatore's results should be taken with a grain of salt. He pitched well, though, picking up 10 swinging strikes on 51 pitches, which included one whiff on his new splitter. Liberatore has yielded just one run with a 7:1 K:BB in his first five innings this spring. The left-hander is lined up to take the ball Opening Day for the Cardinals versus the Rays.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Friday that Wilson is dealing with back issues and will not be ready for Opening Day, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Wilson missed significant time during the 2024 season with the White Sox due to back problems, though it's not clear whether this is a recurrence of those issues. The veteran reliever was acquire via trade this offseason and has yet to appear in a Grapefruit League contest. Expect Wilson to begin the year on the IL, with no clear target date yet for his season debut.

Melton has a right elbow strain and will not be ready for the start of the season, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said that Melton will be shut down for "a week or two" before being ramped back up. The young right-hander has yet to pitch in a game this spring and will need to be built back up from scratch once he does resume a throwing program. Melton was unlikely to crack the Tigers' rotation even before the injury and is now looking at a stint on the injured list.