MLB Player News

The Guardians announced Sunday that McKenzie will begin the season operating as a reliever, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

The right-hander had a 7.50 ERA and 10:7 K:BB over 12 innings during spring training, while Logan Allen's 1.89 ERA helped him earn a rotation spot. McKenzie could still see some spot starts this year, but he'll likely need to perform better than his 5.11 ERA over 75.2 regular-season innings in 2024 to get an extended look in the rotation.

Scherzer's thumb responded well to Saturday's 62-pitch start against the Twins in the Grapefruit League, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports. Scherzer went four scoreless innings, allowing two hits and a walk while striking out four.

The future Hall of Famer looks to be in the clear for the start of the regular season after a right thumb injury brought his availability into question earlier in the week. He will likely slot in as the No. 3 starter in Toronto behind Jose Berrios and Kevin Gausman to begin 2025, putting him on track for a home start against the Orioles on Saturday in his team debut. Scherzer figures to have some minor workload restrictions early on given where he is with his pitch count, plus the fact he begins to have issues gripping the ball with his thumb after reaching 50 pitches or so.

Rojas (toe) remains out of Chicago's spring lineup Sunday and is likely to begin the season on the injured list, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The 30-year-old sustained a hairline fracture in his right big toe in mid-March, and it appears he won't have enough time to get healthy before Thursday's season opener. Once healthy, Rojas is expected to operate as the primary second baseman against right-handed pitching for the White Sox. Lenyn Sosa and Brooks Baldwin are the main candidates to fill in at the keystone in the meantime.

Moore was scratched from Sunday's spring lineup due to an illness, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Moore was originally slated to start at third base Sunday, but Miles Mastrobuoni has been moved there in his place. Moore will look to recover in time for Opening Day and is expected to serve in a utility role this season.

Tauchman is out of Sunday's spring lineup due to a hamstring injury and could begin the season on the injured list, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

It's unclear when Tauchman sustained the injury, but he was struggling in camp with a .652 OPS in 34 plate appearances. Assuming the 34-year-old is unavailable to begin the season, Austin Slater is likely to see more run in right field for the White Sox.

The Tigers have signed Margot to a contract, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Per Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic, the contract is a major-league deal. Margot was released by Milwaukee on Saturday but will now have the chance to work in a reserve role in the American League. The move gives Detroit a reinforcement in the outfield, with Parker Meadows (arm) and Matt Vierling (shoulder) both set to begin the season on the injured list.

Allen was named the Guardians' No. 5 starter Sunday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

The left-hander earned the job with a strong showing during spring training, as he made six appearances and had a 1.89 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 19:4 K:BB across 19 innings. Allen had a 5.73 ERA in 20 regular-season starts for Cleveland last year but had a 3.81 ERA over 125.1 innings as a rookie in 2023.

The Blue Jays are sending Barger to Triple-A Buffalo to begin the season, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Barger has had a terrific spring, slashing .367/.429/.733 with three home runs, six RBI, eight runs and a stolen base. Nonetheless, Toronto isn't able to find room for him on the Opening Day roster. Barger will begin the campaign in Triple-A, where's he spent the majority of the past two years, but there's a good chance he'll get a call-up to the majors at some point in 2025.

Chafin is still in the mix for Detroit's final bullpen spot to begin the regular season, along with Brant Hurter and Brenan Hanifee, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Chafin was invited to camp on a minor-league deal and is not on the 40-man roster, so the Tigers would have to clear room for him if they want to keep him around, but the veteran southpaw could give the team a boost against left-handed hitters. Hurter is also a lefty while Hanifee, a righty, posted a sub-2.00 ERA for Detroit last season, so the team has a tough decision to make. Ultimately, all three players could see time in the MLB bullpen at various points during the 2025 season, but none of them figure to have huge fantasy impacts.

Hurter, Brenan Hanifee and Andrew Chafin are likely competing for Detroit's final bullpen spot to begin the regular season, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Hurter and Chafin are both southpaws, which could give them an edge, though the righty Hanifee impressed for the Tigers last year with a 1.84 ERA across 29.1 regular-season innings. Ultimately, all three players figure to see time in the majors this season, as the team needs bullpen reinforcements. Hurter pitched well last year during his MLB debut, compiling a 2.58 ERA and 0.88 WHIP across 45.1 regular-season innings.