MLB Player News

Casas (hand) will start at first base and bat cleanup in Thursday's season opener in Texas.

Casas took a ball off his bare hand in the field earlier this week, but X-rays were negative, and he'll be good to go for the start of the season. The first baseman was limited to only 63 games in 2024 due to injury but heads into the 2025 campaign with a clean bill of health.

Walker (oblique) will start at first base and bat cleanup in Thursday's season opener versus the Mets, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Walker didn't make any Grapefruit League appearances after March 2 due to left oblique soreness, but he resumed taking swings in batting practice nearly two weeks ago and was able to get in some competitive at-bats in minor-league games this past weekend. The first baseman also played the field in a simulated game Monday, clearing up most of the concern about his health heading into Opening Day. The Astros are counting on Walker providing some thump in the middle of the order after Houston traded away Kyle Tucker and let Alex Bregman walk in free agency this offseason.

Pasquantino (hamstring) will start at designated hitter and bat third in Thursday's season opener versus the Guardians.

Pasquantino suffered a Grade 1-plus right hamstring strain just five days ago, but he made enough improvement that the Royals are comfortable with him at least playing in a non-defensive role on Opening Day. Cavan Biggio will occupy Pasquantino's usual position at first base.

Casas (hand) is expected to be ready to play Thursday against the Rangers, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

X-rays were negative after Casas attempted to field a bad hop with his bare hand Monday. Manager Alex Cora noted after Tuesday's exhibition that Casas was sore but feeling "a lot better," while the decision to hold him out Tuesday was described as precautionary. With that, Casas appears to be in line to bat cleanup against right-hander Nathan Eovaldi on Opening Day, though fantasy managers may want to confirm his status before first pitch.

The Angels optioned Noda to Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday.

Noda batted .182 this spring, but 15 walks in 49 plate appearances helped him finish the Cactus League with an .813 OPS. Despite his display of plate discipline and ability to play first base and the corner outfield, he'll have to work his way back into the majors by maintaining success at the Triple-A level.

Gonzalez (oblique) will be on the Red Sox' active roster for Opening Day, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Gonzalez was held out of the Boston's final six Grapefruit League games as he dealt with right oblique soreness, but he's been working out in recent days and convinced the team he doesn't need a trip to the injured list. The 28-year-old will be part of the Red Sox' bench and will see some starts against southpaws.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said that Pasquantino (hamstring) will go through a full workout Wednesday before being re-evaluated Thursday morning, Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star reports.

Pasquantino -- who is dealing with a Grade 1-plus right hamstring strain -- did some cage work Tuesday and came out of it well. He has a chance of avoiding the injured list and playing Opening Day, but the Royals will wait to make a decision until they finalize their roster Thursday. If Pasquantino is in Thursday's lineup, it could be at designated hitter as the Royals look to ease some of the stress on his hamstring. An absence for Pasquantino would leave the Royals with Mark Canha, Salvador Perez and Cavan Biggio as options at first base.

The Tigers will include Torkelson on their Opening Day roster, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Heading into spring training, Torkelson seemed to be on the outside looking in for a roster spot. However, he had a great Grapefruit League showing with a 1.069 OPS and five home runs. Torkelson looks to be in line for regular at-bats at designated hitter with Kerry Carpenter being needed defensively to cover for the Tigers' outfield injuries.

Kurtz will begin the season at Triple-A Las Vegas, MLB.com reports.

The No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, Kurtz impressed in spring training with the Athletics, putting up a .973 OPS with two home runs and a 5:7 K:BB. He finished his brief, 12-game pro debut at Double-A Midland and will move up a level to begin the 2025 campaign. Kurtz will be just a step away from the big leagues and has a good chance to make his major-league debut at some point this season.

Walker (oblique) took seven at-bats in a minor-league game Tuesday and is expected to be in the lineup for Thursday's season opener versus the Mets, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The 33-year-old finished spring training having played in just four Grapefruit League games due to the oblique injury. However, Walker is ramping up his rehab work and is expected to be good to go for Thursday's Opening Day matchup with New York.