MLB Player News

Naylor will begin the 2022 campaign on the 10-day injured list, Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Naylor had a slow start to spring training while recovering from his significant leg injury that he sustained in June of 2021, but he made his Cactus League debut Tuesday against the Dodgers. While the 24-year-old will be unavailable to begin the regular season, manager Terry Francona is hopeful that Naylor will be back in action following a relatively short stay on the injured list. While Naylor is sidelined, Bradley Zimmer and Oscar Mercado should see additional playing time in right field.

Kiriloff left Saturday's game against the Rays with mild left knee soreness, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

The fact that the Twins are calling the issue mild and his removal precautionary seemingly indicates that Kiriloff has a chance to be ready for Opening Day against the Mariners on Thursday. If the issue turns out to be something that can't be solved with a few days of rest, Brent Rooker or Luis Arraez could spend time in left field. A longer absence could also give non-roster invitees Jake Cave and Kyle Garlick the chance to make the team.

Santana has gone 10-for-26 with two doubles, six RBI and three runs scored through nine Cactus League games.

Santana's always been a bit questionable from a batting average standpoint -- he's only hit at or above .260 in three of his 12 major-league campaigns. He's usually more solid with plate discipline, but he faltered there in 2021 as well with career-low marks in walk rate (13.2 percent) and on-base percentage (.319) in 158 games. He added 19 home runs, 69 RBI, 66 runs scored and a pair of stolen bases. He'll turn 36 a day after Opening Day, so it's tough to bet on a bounce-back campaign here. If Santana declines further, Hunter Dozier, Ryan O'Hearn or prospect Nick Pratto could get a longer look at first base.

Mountcastle went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Friday's 3-2 win over the Phillies.

Mountcastle is in fine form in spring training, going 7-for-20 with two home runs, a double, four RBI and four runs scored through eight games. He's seen time at first base and left field in his two MLB seasons, though he's expected to get the majority of his playing time at first base going forward. Mountcastle and Trey Mancini may alternate at designated hitter as well, but both should be expected to play nearly every day. Mountcastle emerged as a solid power bat with 33 home runs, 89 RBI, 77 runs scored, four stolen bases and a .255/.309/.487 slash line in 144 contests in 2021.

Torkelson has made the Tigers' Opening Day roster, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

The Tigers seemed open to the idea of breaking camp with the 2020 first-overall pick on their roster, and that's now been officially confirmed by GM Al Avila. Torkelson cruised through the minors last season, hitting .267/.383/.552 with 30 homers in 121 games. He's continued to swing a hot bat this spring, posting an .846 OPS in 12 games while striking out just four times.

Calhoun started in right field and went 1-for-3 with two strikeouts in Friday's spring training game against the Giants.

Coming off a subpar 2021, the 33-year-old Calhoun has done little to improve his appeal entering 2022. The outfielder has four singles in 19 at-bats. He was limited to just 51 games for the Diamondbacks in 2021 due to a hamstring injury and didn't contribute much when on the field (.670 OPS). Calhoun's slated to start in right field for Texas this season, but the Rangers will keep options open if he repeats last season's performance.

France is hitting just .231 (6-for-26) with a home run and three RBI across nine exhibitions this spring but is penciled in as the Mariners' everyday first baseman.

France has forged a collective .294/.368/.449 slash line across the last two seasons, and he's coming off having recorded a career-high 18 home runs and 73 RBI while playing 152 games for Seattle in 2021. The 27-year-old could be primed for an even bigger season in 2022 with more protection around him in the lineup stemming from the offseason acquisitions of Adam Frazier, Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suarez.

O'Hearn (groin) will bat third while serving as the Royals' designated hitter in Thursday's Cactus League game against the Giants.

O'Hearn's return to the lineup supports the notion that the Royals' decision to remove him from Tuesday's game against the Mariners was mostly a matter of caution while he dealt with a left groin injury. The 28-year-old has enjoyed a red-hot spring with 10 hits -- including a pair of home runs -- across 20 at-bats.

Lowe is expected to be the Opening Day cleanup hitter, Chris Halicke of SI.com reports.

The lefty-hitting Lowe is nice fit between two righties -- Mitch Garver and Adolis Garcia. The caveat with that strategy is that the jury is still out on whether Lowe mash like a traditional corner infielder and cleanup hitter. There's untapped potential in the bat, and Lowe has hinted at it during spring games. He's slashing .381/.381/.571 over 21 at-bats across seven games. Lowe's batted third, fourth or fifth in Cactus League contests.

Vaughn (hip) was able to take a limited number of swings in the batting cage Wednesday, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Vaughn's availability for Opening Day is still up in the air after the White Sox announced Monday that the 23-year-old is tending to a right hip pointer that will keep him from playing for 1-to-2 weeks. Though his status may not become clearer until next week, Vaughn's ability to do at least some baseball activity Wednesday is a positive sign. For what it's worth, Vaughn also noted that he feels "tenfold better" Wednesday compared to earlier in the week.