MLB Player News

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said that Pasquantino (hamstring) will go through a full workout Wednesday before being re-evaluated Thursday morning, Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star reports.

Pasquantino -- who is dealing with a Grade 1-plus right hamstring strain -- did some cage work Tuesday and came out of it well. He has a chance of avoiding the injured list and playing Opening Day, but the Royals will wait to make a decision until they finalize their roster Thursday. If Pasquantino is in Thursday's lineup, it could be at designated hitter as the Royals look to ease some of the stress on his hamstring. An absence for Pasquantino would leave the Royals with Mark Canha, Salvador Perez and Cavan Biggio as options at first base.

The Red Sox optioned Sogard to Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Sogard failed to make the Opening Day roster but could get a look when the Red Sox are in need of a utility infielder. He slashed .273/.326/.325 in 31 games with the big club last season.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said that Jansen (rib) will play 5-to-6 innings in a simulated game Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

If he gets through the workout without any lingering issues with his pulled rib muscle, Jansen will be active for the Rays' opener versus Colorado on Friday. Kenny Piper has joined the club as a contingency and would be added to the roster in the event Jansen isn't ready.

Moncada (thumb) is expected to be active and in the Angels' Opening Day lineup versus the White Sox on Thursday, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.

Moncada hasn't played in two weeks due to a right thumb injury, but he's been working out in recent days and apparently has convinced the Angels he's well enough to give it a go in Thursday's opener. The 29-year-old switch hitter is expected to be the Halos' primary third baseman this season after signing a one-year, $5 million contract just before spring training. Injuries have limited Moncada to only 104 games over the last two seasons.

General manager Chris Getz said Wednesday that Tauchman (hamstring) is expected to be placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday, Mike McCraw of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.

Tauchman struggled to a .194/.265/.387 slash line over 11 Cactus League games before sustaining a hamstring injury late last week that will prevent him from breaking camp with the big club. The severity of Tauchman's hamstring injury isn't yet known, but he won't be eligible to make his season debut until April 4.

The Tigers will include Torkelson on their Opening Day roster, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Heading into spring training, Torkelson seemed to be on the outside looking in for a roster spot. However, he had a great Grapefruit League showing with a 1.069 OPS and five home runs. Torkelson looks to be in line for regular at-bats at designated hitter with Kerry Carpenter being needed defensively to cover for the Tigers' outfield injuries.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Wednesday in a radio appearance on 93.7 WEEI that Devers will be the team's designated hitter this season.

It's been clear for a while that Devers would serve as the Red Sox's primary DH, but Wednesday marked the first time Cora has officially made the declaration. Alex Bregman will man Devers' former position at third base. Devers has never been a full-time DH before, and some players can have trouble adjusting to the role, but the 28-year-old is a good bet to remain highly productive with the bat as long as the shoulder problems he dealt with last season don't flare up again.

The White Sox informed Jankowski on Wednesday that he'll be included on the Opening Day roster, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Jankowski didn't sign with the White Sox until mid-March, but he made enough of an impression during his brief time in camp to clinch a roster spot. The veteran outfielder could see some starts against right-handed pitching if Mike Tauchman (hamstring) needs to miss time to begin the season.

The White Sox informed Maton on Wednesday that he'll be included on the Opening Day roster, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Maton had a great spring to secure a roster spot, putting up a 1.045 OPS while popping four home runs. He'll be capable of playing multiple spots in the infield and outfield for the White Sox, though Maton's clearest path to playing time will come at second base and shortstop.

Smith will open the season in the White Sox rotation, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Smith had already been told he was on the Opening Day roster, and the team has now provided confirmation that he'll be deployed as a starter. He secured the final rotation spot over Bryse Wilson, who will likely work in long relief. A Rule 5 pick, Smith earned the starting role by posting a 3.38 ERA and 11:4 K:BB over 10.2 innings covering four outings during Cactus League play.