MLB Player News

Dingler (elbow) is working through a return-to-play throwing progression this week and is expected to be ready to return in early March, MLB.com reports.

Dingler underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow at the end of January and has been working his way back in recent weeks. He has been taking part in all other baseball activities, and now his throwing seems to be nearly back to normal as well. With more than a month to go until Opening Day, Dingler doesn't seem to be in any danger of missing regular-season contests, and he should be Detroit's clear top catcher after a strong 2025 campaign.

Jobe (elbow) is scheduled to play catch out to 105 feet three times this week, MLB.com reports.

Jobe was previously capped at throwing from 90 feet three times per week, so this is a small step, but he still has a long way to go in his recovery from the Tommy John surgery he underwent last June. The 23-year-old righty might be able to return near the end of the 2026 regular season, though it wouldn't be surprising if the Tigers play things safe and keep Jobe on the shelf until 2027.

White signed a minor-league contract with the Mariners on Saturday.

White struggled to find his footing in the minors last year, posting a 7.24 ERA and 1.90 WHIP across 32.1 innings with Detroit's Triple-A affiliate before being released by the club in July. He'll get a chance to redeem himself with the Mariners, though he will most likely be used as bullpen depth at Triple-A Tacoma.

Peck has been impressing Detroit's coaching staff so far in spring training, particularly from a defensive perspective, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Peck was a seventh-round draft pick back in 2023 and has climbed Detroit's organizational ladder quickly. Last season, he split his time between High-A West Michigan and Double-A Erie, and the 23-year-old finished with a .301/.359/.433 slash line, 11 home runs and 19 stolen bases in 118 games across the two levels. The young infielder has looked comfortable in camp so far, with manager A.J. Hinch praising his "innate timing" and "sure hands" defensively. Peck's ability in the field figures to help his continued rise through the system, and he could start to get on the fantasy radar in short order if his bat keeps pace at higher levels.

Kelly went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Padres.

Kelly connected in the fifth inning for his first home run of the exhibition slate. The veteran catcher got off to a scorching hot start in 2025 before eventually cooling off, but he still finished with a respectable .761 OPS and 17 home runs across 111 regular-season games. Heading into 2026, Kelly should be Chicago's top backstop again with Miguel Amaya serving in a complementary role. Amaya dealt with a myriad of injuries last year and could push for a larger chunk of playing time this season if he stays healthy, which would allow Kelly to stay fresher but might reduce his fantasy ceiling.

Imanaga allowed three hits across two scoreless innings in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Padres. He struck out one.

Making his spring debut, Imanaga looked sharp as he logged 33 pitches. Most notably, his fastball velocity was 93 mph on average in the contest, which is up from last season's 90.8 mph average, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports. This supports reports coming out of camp about increased velocity for Imanaga. It remains to be seen if this is just a blip for the southpaw in a short start or something he can actually sustain throughout the year. If Imanaga can regularly throw harder, he might be able to improve upon last season's 7.3 K/9, which was down from the 9.0 K/9 he recorded during his 2024 rookie campaign.

The Diamondbacks released Montes De Oca (back) on Tuesday, Aaron Hughes of SI.com reports.

Montes De Oca made his MLB debut last season but underwent back surgery in June that kept him out for the remainder of the year and will also sideline him for most of the 2026 campaign. The 26-year-old righty posted a 4.07 ERA and 1.33 WHIP over 24.1 innings at Triple-A Reno and shouldn't have much trouble landing a minor-league deal despite his injury.

Ryan (back) played catch from 90 feet Tuesday, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports.

Ryan experienced lower back tightness Saturday and underwent an MRI the next day that revealed just inflammation. It still remains unknown when Ryan will take the mound in spring training, but the setback isn't keeping him from using his arm.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that Long (elbow) took some swings Tuesday and feels better, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Long suffered a sprained left (non-throwing) elbow on a collision at first base over the weekend, but he's on the mend. The 24-year-old had planned to leave Tuesday for Japan to join Team Chinese Taipei for the World Baseball Classic, but he will delay his departure until Friday. It would appear the Cubs plan to give the go-ahead for Long to play in the WBC.

Merryweather was removed from Tuesday's Grapefruit League appearance against the Rays with a left hamstring strain, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports.

Merryweather walked the first batter he saw in the third inning and then struck out the next hitter before being pulled. That the Twins are already calling the injury a strain suggests he could be out a while. Merryweather is in Twins camp as a non-roster invitee.