MLB Player News
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Brandon Drury 1B | CHW
White Sox's Brandon Drury: Suffers fractured thumb
Drury was diagnosed with a fractured left thumb Saturday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.
Losing Drury is a tough blow for the White Sox, as the 32-year-old was slashing .410/.439/.821 with three home runs and 11 RBI in spring training and was likely to break camp with the big-league squad. Instead, he'll spend the first portion of the regular season on the injured list. No timeline for his return has been provided.
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Spencer Torkelson 1B | DET
Tigers' Spencer Torkelson: Continuing push for roster spot
Torkelson is impressing offensively and defensively this spring, and he may see time at DH, first base and in right field as a versatile bench option for the Tigers in 2025, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.
A year ago, Torkelson was seen as a fixture at first base for years to come in Detroit, but a rough 2024 campaign has added a bit more uncertainty to the picture. He still seems likely to make the Opening Day roster, though he may have to settle for more of a bench role. Torkelson recently started seeing reps in right field, which gives him more potential versatility as a reserve. The biggest key for the 25-year-old remains his ability to make consistent contact, because if he can, he has the power in his bat to have a big impact.
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Spencer Steer 1B | CIN
Reds' Spencer Steer: Opening season on IL
The Reds will place Steer (shoulder) on the injured list to start the regular season, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Steer played in a minor-league game Thursday -- his first competitive action of any kind since February -- but it appears he won't have enough time to prepare for Opening Day. He'll most likely head to one of Cincinnati's minor-league affiliates on a rehab assignment to pick up at-bats before rejoining the Reds.
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Paul Goldschmidt 1B | NYY
Yankees' Paul Goldschmidt: In Saturday's lineup
Goldschmidt (back) will start at first base and bat leadoff in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.
Goldschmidt's return to the spring lineup comes one day after initially scheduled, but he now seems to be fully recovered from the back soreness that has been bothering him since Monday. The veteran first baseman has been great this spring, slashing .313/.389/.688 with three homers and 10 RBI through 36 plate appearances.
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Mark Canha LF | KC
Royals' Mark Canha: Shipped to KC
The Brewers traded Canha to the Royals on Friday in exchange for a player to be named later or cash, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Canha was unlikely to make the Brewers' Opening Day roster after going just 2-for-23 with two RBI and four runs scored in nine spring contests. The Royals will gladly take him in, however, and Rogers notes that the 36-year-old veteran will be part of the big-league squad's bench. Because he was on a minor-league deal with Milwaukee, Canha will need to be added to Kansas City's 40-man roster first.
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Spencer Steer 1B | CIN
Reds' Spencer Steer: Gets at-bats in minor-league game
Steer (shoulder) made three plate appearances in a minor-league game Thursday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.
Steer, who tested the shoulder earlier this week by throwing, took another step in his recovery Thursday, participating in his first game action of any kind since Feb. 27. He believes he'll be ready to start the regular season as a designated hitter but would be unable to play a position. Steer followed up Thursday's activity by taking more swings against reliever Scott Barlow. While he may be able to swing a bat in time for the regular season, Steer has about 20 spring at-bats, only seven of which have been in Cactus League play. He normally prefers about 50 at-bats.
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Kyle Manzardo 1B | CLE
Guardians' Kyle Manzardo: Dealing with shoulder inflammation
Manzardo was scratched from Friday's Cactus League lineup due to left shoulder inflammation, SI.com reports.
The severity of the injury is unclear, but Manzardo will be withheld from the lineup for at least one game. The 24-year-old will have a few opportunities to play in exhibition games ahead of Opening Day in Kansas City on Thursday.
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Brandon Drury 1B | CHW
White Sox's Brandon Drury: Managing bruised hand
Drury was scratched from Friday's Cactus League lineup due to a bruised left hand, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
It's unclear when Drury suffered the injury, but he'll be held out for at least one spring game. The 32-year-old signed a minor-league deal with the White Sox during the offseason and is expected to be included on the Opening Day roster given his 1.260 OPS during spring training.
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Kyle Farmer 2B | COL
Rockies' Kyle Farmer: In line for second base job
Farmer is expected to handle the bulk of the second-base reps for the Rockies to begin the season while Thairo Estrada (wrist) is sidelined, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.
Estrada will miss 4-to-8 weeks after being diagnosed with a fractured right wrist, so Farmer will be given a lengthy look. The 34-year-old slashed only .214/.293/.353 last season with the Twins, but he could be relevant in deeper leagues while playing half his games at Coors Field. If Farmer struggles out of the gate, it could open the door for prospect Adael Amador to get another look.
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Dominic Smith 1B | SF
Yankees' Dominic Smith: Opts out of MiLB deal
Smith exercised the opt-out clause in his minor-league contract Friday, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.
The Yankees now have 24 hours to either add Smith to their roster or release him. Smith has looked good this spring, posting an .857 OPS with three home runs this spring, but the Yankees have more of a need for right-handed bench bats than lefty ones, which could work against the 29-year-old.