MLB Player News

Herrera (knee) will go through a series of workouts Monday, with an eye on returning to Grapefruit League play Tuesday or Wednesday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Herrera was scratched from the Cardinals' lineup Saturday against the Mets due to knee inflammation. He did some early-morning workouts Monday to test the knee and will continue with more activities to gauge his readiness to return to action. Herrera is projected to begin the season as St. Louis' primary designated hitter. He's also expected to be worked in at catcher, though it's possible the knee issue affects how often he's used behind the plate.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Monday that Simpson (hamstring) will return to the Grapefruit League lineup Tuesday against the Twins, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Simpson hasn't played since last Tuesday after experiencing renewed soreness in his left hamstring, which had previously been bothering earlier in camp. After a week-long layoff, Simpson is feeling better and ready to return to game action. Despite being limited to just four spring appearances thus far, Simpson should still have plenty of time to stockpile plate appearances in preparation for the start of the regular season.

Miller (back) is scheduled to throw a live batting practice session Tuesday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The live BP session will be the final hurdle that Miller needs to clear in his recovery from a back injury before making his Cactus League debut, perhaps as soon as later this week. Considering that Miller wasn't tasked with recording more than four outs in any of his 36 relief appearances for the Giants last season, he won't require much ramp-up time and should be ready to go for Opening Day.

Gelof (shoulder) will start at designated hitter and bat fifth in Monday's Cactus League tilt against the Reds.

Gelof has been brought along slowly in Athletics camp following surgery last September to repair a dislocated left shoulder. The 26-year-old is in competition for a reserve role, but with the late start to spring training he is likely ticketed for Triple-A Las Vegas to begin the campaign.

Soriano (illness) will start Monday's Cactus League game against the Giants.

Soriano missed his last turn because he was battling an illness, but he's been cleared to return to action after more than a week of rest. The right-hander will be looking to get back on track after being knocked around for seven runs over 3.2 innings in his first two starts this spring.

Devers (hamstring) will start at designated hitter and in the leadoff spot in Monday's Cactus League game versus the Angels.

Devers has been held out of game action since late February due to hamstring tightness, but he's ready to be eased back in at DH on Monday and should be ready to play first base again soon. The 29-year-old has gone hitless in nine plate appearances thus far in Cactus League play.

Crawford (shoulder) will start at shortstop and bat fifth in Monday's Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks.

Crawford will be included in the Cactus League lineup for the sixth time this spring, but he'll be making just his second start at shortstop and his first since Feb. 20. The 31-year-old has been battling a cranky shoulder during camp, which prompted the Mariners to use him as a designated hitter for his last four starts. Crawford should be ready to play shortstop on an everyday basis once the regular season gets underway; the Mariners appear to have simply exercised caution this spring by limiting his usage in the infield early on.

De Vries went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer and a grand slam in Sunday's Cactus League win over the Dodgers.

De Vries made his presence felt, first demolishing a two-run rocket over the right-field fence off Kyle Hurt in the fourth inning before launching a grand slam off Carson Hobbs in the fifth frame. Both blasts came from the left side for the switch-hitter, who's slashing .385/.429/.615 through 11 spring contests after Sunday's outburst. The 19-year-old is likely to begin the season with Double-A Midland or Triple-A Las Vegas, though the top prospect could push to make his major-league debut in the second half of the 2026 campaign.

The Tigers optioned Valencia to Triple-A Toledo on Monday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Valencia joined the Tigers for big-league camp but never appeared likely to make the Opening Day roster so long as Dillon Dingler and Jake Rogers emerged from spring training with their health intact. The 26-year-old backstop should get the chance to play fairly regularly at Toledo and could get his first big-league call-up if Dingler or Rogers misses time at any point.

The Tigers optioned Liranzo to Double-A Erie on Monday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Liranzo has gone 3-for-12 with one home run and a 2:2 BB:K over seven games during Grapefruit League play. The 22-year-old will begin the 2026 season back at Erie, where he slashed a disappointing .206/.308/.351 in 88 contests last season.