MLB Player News

Vargas left Friday's game after fouling a ball off his foot and bruising it, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Luckily for Vargas it doesn't sound like this will be a long-term injury, as he needs to get at-bats in before spring training ends. Still, his recovery will be worth watching, because every day Vargas misses is another chance for Byungho Park to make his case for the Twins' starting designated hitter job.

Vargas limped off the field in obvious pain after a flyout during Friday's spring training game, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Vargas was slated to get as many at-bats as possible before the regular season starts as he didn't get much playing time during Puerto Rico's WBC run. This early exit wasn't about rust or a lack of conditioning -- Vargas fouled a ball off his shin -- but regardless, if he misses significant time, this injury might just open the door for Byungho Park to grab the Twins' DH job.

Martinez (foot) sprained his lisfranc ligament and will be out 3-4 weeks, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

This is a tough blow for Martinez, who injured his foot making a diving catch in a recent Grapefruit League game. The 29-year-old will now head to the DL to start the season, with his return likely falling somewhere in mid-April. With his absence looming, JaCoby Jones and Steven Moya could possibly be short-term replacements in right field to start the season.

Choi was reassigned to minor league camp Friday, Brendan Kuty of The Star-Ledger reports.

The former Angel signed with the Yankees hoping to catch on with the big-league club out of camp, but he fell short. Choi could work his way into at-bats later this season as a reserve or an emergency starter, though he sits behind Greg Bird, Chris Carter, Tyler Austin and Rob Refsnyder, at minimum, in the first base hierarchy.

Brantley is not in the Indians' Cactus League lineup Friday, Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

No reason for concern was reported, so Cleveland likely is taking it easy with Brantley, who's 3-for-9 through his first three spring games following his debut earlier in the week. Getting him a bit more rest late in spring training and possibly early in the regular season is prudent management as he returns from his shoulder injury. It may limit his value early in 2017, but his potential for returning to MVP-candidate form is increasing his fantasy draft stock.

Vogelbach was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday, Shannon Drayer of MyNorthwest.com reports.

This comes as a bit of a surprise, as Vogelbach and Danny Valencia were expected to split time at first base to open the season. The 24-year-old struggled this spring, however, slashing just .228/.313/.333 with 19 strikeouts in 57 at-bats. He also went just 1-for-12 with six strikeouts in his major league debut last season, so it appears the Mariners believe he could use some work before making the full-time jump.

Cabrera (back) said he won't play until Friday at the earliest, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Cabrera apparently felt a pop in his back during the first WBC game and has been receiving daily treatment ever since, though he also noted that it's feeling better. Friday may seem slightly optimistic for his return, as the Tigers don't have any plans to rush their star back. Detroit isn't worried about his status at this point, but that may change if he doesn't return to action relatively soon.

Vargas is scheduled to start Friday's Grapefruit League game, LaVelle E. Neal III of the Star Tribune reports.

Vargas, Minnesota's likely majority DH, mainly rode the bench during Puerto Rico's deep run to the World Baseball Classic finals, so manager Paul Molitor looks poised to get him as many reps as possible before the start of the season. Byungho Park has scorched opposing pitching during Vargas' WBC absence, but Park isn't on the 40-man roster and may have to clear some hurdles to join it. Vargas nonetheless remains an interesting deep-league power source for fantasy speculators.

Cabrera (back) is back with the Tigers but will be held out of the lineup at least until Friday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Cabrera was removed from Thursday's World Baseball Classic contest and then missed Venezuela's final game Saturday. His back tightness isn't believed to be a concern for the Tigers, but that could change if Cabrera doesn't get back in the spring training lineup this weekend.

Martinez indicated that he's encouraged that he's been able to put weight on his sprained right foot, but fears he may not be ready for Opening Day, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Martinez suffered the injury after making a catch in Saturday's Grapefruit League game, but the Tigers have remained tight-lipped on the severity of the setback. An official timetable for Martinez's return should be available Friday, when he's set to undergo a weight-bearing stress CT scan in Charlotte. If the Tigers determine that Martinez will require a DL stint to begin the season, Steven Moya could be tasked with serving as his primary replacement in right field.