MLB Player News

The Rangers placed Sborz on the 15-day injured list Wednesday due to a sprained ankle, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Sborz tweaked his ankle either in his final Cactus League appearance March 22 or in a workout at some point thereafter, so he'll be sidelined for at least the first two weeks of the season while he's on the mend. Once healthy, Sborz will likely work in the middle innings out of the bullpen.

Texas placed Howard (arm) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

Howard began experiencing right arm fatigue in early March and still needs to build back up into regular-season form. There's no exact timeframe for when he might be an option in Texas.

The Rangers placed Otto (lat) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Otto injured his right lat toward the end of spring camp and is now going to miss at least the first two months of the 2023 season. The Rangers haven't provided an official timeline for Otto's return, though the right-hander is expected to avoid surgery.

Englert was informed Wednesday that he will be on the Tigers' Opening Day roster, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

The Rule 5 Draft pick joins Alex Lange, Jose Cisnero, Jason Foley, Tyler Alexander, Trey Wingenter, Chasen Shreve and Garrett Hill in Detroit's Opening Day bullpen. Englert, 23, registered a 3.64 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 136:31 K:BB over 118.2 innings (24 starts) last season between the High-A and Double-A affiliates of the Rangers.

Winder (shoulder) threw 43 pitches over 2.2 innings Tuesday in Twins camp, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Twins president Derek Falvey told reporters Wednesday that Winder got up to 94 mph with his fastball but then added the 26-year-old right-hander will not be stretched out into a full starter's workload in order to protect his ailing shoulder. Consequently, it sounds like Winder is going to be deployed as a long reliever whenever he's deemed fit for live competition.

The Rays placed Armstrong (neck) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Armstrong didn't pitch in any Grapefruit League games due to the neck issue, so unless he dramatically ramps up his throwing program in the coming days, he'll more than likely be sidelined beyond the minimum 15 days. Once healthy, Armstrong could work as a setup or middle-relief option out of the bullpen.

The Tigers announced Wednesday that Brieske is experiencing right upper arm discomfort following his most recent Grapefruit League outing last Friday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Brieske is slated to undergo further medical evaluation before the Tigers provide a more precise diagnosis of his injury, but Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press already reported earlier Wednesday that the 24-year-old right-hander is set to begin the season on the 15-day injured list. Expect Detroit to make that transaction official shortly before Thursday's season opener versus the Rays. With Brieske out of contention for a spot on the Opening Day roster, Garrett Hill will make the team as a long reliever and potential spot-starting option if Matthew Boyd (undisclosed) is forced to miss his first turn through the rotation this weekend in Tampa Bay.

Pacheco (elbow) will begin a throwing program next week, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Pacheco was placed on the 60-day injured list earlier this week with a right elbow sprain but has apparently progressed enough that he's almost ready to throw again. A sprain is a ligament tear, so Tommy John surgery would likely be on the table if Pacheco isn't able to progress; however, for the time being, he'll attempt to address the issue through the rehabilitation process.

White Sox general manager Rick Hahn announced Wednesday that Hendriks (illness) is responding well to treatment and won't be placed on the 60-day injured list to begin the season, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Hahn cautions that there's still no timetable for Hendriks, though the White Sox's decision not to have him open the campaign on the 60-day IL suggests the team has hope he might be ready to make his debut before late May. The right-hander missed all of the Cactus League season while battling non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, but he has been able to work out at camp and throw bullpens. Once able to join the White Sox, Hendriks should return to the closing role he's excelled in the past few seasons.

Wingenter will be on the Tigers' 26-man roster to begin the season, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Wingenter will see his first big-league action since 2019, when he posted a 5.65 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 51 innings for the Padres. The Tigers don't boast much bullpen talent, so Wingenter could work his way into some high-leverage opportunities. Since Wingenter had been attending camp as a non-roster invitee, the Tigers will have to officially add him to the 40-man roster prior to Thursday's season opener versus the Rays.