MLB Player News

Martinez had the cast on his right foot removed Monday and has started physical therapy, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Martinez was finally able to start physical therapy after having his right foot constrained to a cast for the past couple weeks, marking a milestone in his rehab. The 29-year-old is hoping to return to the Tigers in late April or early May, though there still isn't a firm timetable. "He said he'd let me know how he feels [Tuesday]," said manager Brad Ausmus. Until Martinez is able to return, Mikie Mahtook and Tyler Collins will likely split time in right field.

Buxton went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts while hitting third in the Opening Day lineup against the Royals on Monday.

Buxton's combination of power and speed is intriguing enough for manager Paul Molitor to run with him in the third spot, at least to begin the year. This was a rough start, but it's just one game, and Buxton's 10 homers last September (and big spring this year) offer some hope that the post-hype prospect could finally break out in 2017.

Buxton will bat third against the Royals on Monday, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Lefty Danny Duffy is starting for Kansas City. Things had been trending this way for Buxton, with manager Paul Molitor saying late in the spring that the 23-year-old was "too valuable" to bat leadoff. The skipper continued his praise of Buxton on Monday. "The fun has returned," Molitor said. "There's a looseness about it. He's letting it fly." Buxton went 13-for-46 with nine doubles, one homer, two stolen bases and a 5:11 BB:K during the exhibition slate.

Martinez (foot) will have his cast removed Monday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

A timeframe for his return is expected to be available following Monday's examination, so owners should monitor his status in the coming days. Until Martinez returns, Mikie Mahtook and Tyler Collins will likely share time in right field.

Vargas (foot) was optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Sunday, Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press reports.

The Twins elected to go with Robbie Grossman as their Opening Day designated hitter as Vargas deals with a bruised foot. The 26-year-old hit .230 and knocked 10 home runs in 47 games played for the big-league club in 2016 and is a good bet to rejoin the big-league club once healthy.

Goins has captured one of the final spots on the Jays' Opening Day roster, Sportsnet's Shi Davidi reports.

Surprisingly, despite a failed 2016 campaign and a terrible 2017 spring, Goins will once again don a big-league uniform when the regular season begins. The decision to keep the utility man may have been spurred by the team's fear of exposing him to waivers. Goins provides trustworthy defensive skills all over the diamond, but his offensive deficiencies combined with a limited role make him fairly irrelevant from a fantasy perspective.

Soler (oblique) was placed on the 10-day disabled list Sunday, Josh Vernier of 610 Sports Radio reports.

It's an unfortunate setback for the team's new starting right fielder. Soler will rehab in the coming days with the hopes of returning to live action as soon as April 12. Paulo Orlando will serve as Soler's replacement in his absence, with Terrance Gore seeing time as a reserve outfielder.

Colon won a spot on the Royals' Opening Day roster, MLB.com's David Adler reports.

Colon lost out to Raul Mondesi for the Opening Day starting nod at second base, but he was able to beat out Whit Merrifield for utility duties in the infield. Though Merrifield showed more aptitude at the plate last season, Colon was out of minor-league options, which likely influenced the Royals' decision to keep him around.

Canha has been named to the A's Opening Day roster, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

With Jaff Decker being reassigned Saturday, Canha stands as the A's lone extra outfielder to start the season. Canha missed most of last season with a hip injury that required surgery, but he was serviceable in 2015 with a .254/.315/.426 slash line over 441 at-bats.

Vargas (foot) went 0-for-3 on Friday while playing for Triple-A Rochester. He'll play in minor-league spring training games on Saturday and Sunday, but is expected to begin the season on the DL or at Triple-A, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

In a surprising move, the Twins will go with Robbie Grossman at DH, sending Byungho Park to the minors as well while going with a three-man bench and eight-man bullpen. Vargas could get called up early in the season once he's proved he's healthy, however.