MLB Player News

Detroit general manager Al Avila said he wants Torkelson to make the team out of spring training and help the Tigers push toward the playoffs, Jon Paul Morosi of MLB.com reports.

"We want them to make the team," Avila said of Torkelson and fellow top prospect Riley Greene. "That would mean they've been successful and are in a position to help us make the playoffs this year." Avila added that service-time concerns won't factor into the decision, so if Torkelson looks ready, he figures to make the Opening Day roster. The 22-year-old is batting .286 through nine Grapefruit League games with an .851 OPS, so the performance has been there so far.

O'Hearn left Tuesday's Cactus League game with a left groin injury and is considered day-to-day.

O'Hearn's removal from the contest was labeled a precaution, so it doesn't appear to be a serious injury. Still, any injury this close to Opening Day is noteworthy, and he'll have just over a week to get back on the field before the start of the regular season April 7.

Naylor (lower leg) will bat fifth and play right field Tuesday against the Dodgers.

Naylor suffered multiple fibula fractures and ligament tearing in late June of last year. He spent the rest of the season on the sidelines and took things slow to start spring, but he's now set for game action. After coming back from such a serious injury, he may need more than just the nine days remaining before Opening Day to get fully up to speed. It's possible he opens the year on the injured list, but his return Tuesday is nevertheless a significant step in the right direction.

Pratto was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Monday.

Pratto looked solid at the dish to start spring training, going 5-for-15 with a home run, three RBI, one stolen base and seven runs scored, but he'll start the year at Triple-A, as anticipated. He hit .250 with 21 homers, 55 RBI and five stolen bags over 63 games a season ago with the Storm Chasers.

The Guardians optioned Arias to Triple-A Columbus on Monday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

After being acquired from the Padres in August 2020, Arias made his debut for his new organization in 2021, spending the entire season with Columbus. Over his 483 plate appearances, Arias produced a respectable .802 OPS, but the Guardians will send him back to Columbus to begin 2022 for further refinement. Assuming his performance doesn't dramatically regress from a season ago, the 22-year-old should get the chance to make his big-league debut later in the campaign for a rebuilding Cleveland club that could be in evaluation mode in the second half.

The White Sox announced Monday that Vaughn is dealing with a right hip pointer and is expected to return to game action in one or two weeks.

Vaughn had to be carted off the field after making a diving catch in Sunday's Cactus League game against the Dodgers, but he seems to have escaped with nothing worse than a bruise. A trip to the injured list is still possible, as Opening Day falls right in the middle of his given timeline. Even if he progresses quickly and hits the early end of that range, it's possible the White Sox choose to give him some rehab games to finish his spring preparation. Regardless, Vaughn shouldn't need much time before joining the big-league lineup, assuming he experiences no further setbacks in his recovery from the injury.

Vaughn is dealing with right hip discomfort following Sunday's Cactus League game against the Dodgers.

Vaughn was carted off the field in the bottom of the fourth inning after making a diving catch. The severity of the injury isn't yet clear, but he's undergoing further examination to determine the extent of the issue.

Padlo was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma on Sunday.

Padlo has been with the Mariners in big-league camp but won't be on the Opening Day roster. He made his major-league debut last season with 10 appearances but spent most of the year at the Triple-A level, where he hit .224/.305/.443 with 20 home runs, 62 runs and 58 RBI in 95 contests.

Vaughn was taken off the field on a cart after suffering an apparent injury in Sunday's Cactus League game against the Dodgers, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Vaughn started Sunday's matchup in right field but went down after making a diving catch in the bottom of the fourth inning. While the exact nature and severity of Vaughn's injury aren't yet known, it's discouraging that he was unable to walk off the field under his own power. If the 23-year-old is unavailable to begin the regular season, Gavin Sheets and Adam Engel are candidates to see additional playing time.

Aranda was optioned to minor-league camp Sunday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Aranda was added to the 40-man roster in the offseason after racking up 322 plate appearances at Double-A Montgomery in 2021. He experienced plenty of success there, delivering a .325/.410/.540 line with 10 home runs and three stolen bases. Aranda could begin the season at Triple-A, though it's unclear where he'd fit on the big-league roster without injuries at any point in 2022.