MLB Player News

Manager Matt Quatraro informed Lynch on Saturday that he made the Royals' Opening Day roster, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Lynch turned in a 6.19 ERA and 1.44 WHIP in 16 innings this spring while competing for a spot in Kansas City's rotation. However, the 28-year-old southpaw proved to be much more effective out of the bullpen last season, so the Royals will keep him around for Opening Day and presumably use him in a multi-inning role.

McClanahan was removed from Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox with an apparent arm injury, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

McClanahan immediately motioned to the Rays' dugout after making a pitch in the third inning and looked to be in quite a bit of pain. It's unknown exactly what he's dealing with at the moment, but the Rays will take a look at their Opening Day starter and should provide an update in the near future.

Barger went 1-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

The 25-year-old has put together a strong camp, batting .367 (11-for-30) in 15 Grapefruit League games with three homers, two doubles and a 4:10 BB:K. While Barger appears ticketed for a bench role with Toronto to begin the season, he could see semi-regular playing time while bouncing between third base, the outfield corners and DH.

Berrios gave up one run on four hits and a walk over 5.1 innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies. He struck out five.

A Kyle Schwarber solo shot in the fifth inning was the only real blemish on the right-hander's line. Berrios built up to 84 pitches (53 strikes), and he wraps up his spring with a 2.18 ERA and 18:5 K:BB over 20.2 innings. His next trip to the mound will come Opening Day against the Orioles.

Springer went 1-for-3 with a walk and a three-run home run in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

The veteran outfielder finally connected on his first long ball of the spring when he drove a Jose Ruiz offering over the center-field fence in the third inning. Springer is still batting just .114 (4-for-35) through 14 Grapefruit League appearances, but he has an 8:9 BB:K and might finally be getting his timing down with Opening Day less than a week away. He's set for an everyday role in an outfield corner, and it's unlikely he'll shift back to center field to help cover for the early-season absence of Daulton Varsho (shoulder).

Kikuchi tossed five innings against Colorado in a Cactus League contest Friday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks while striking out five batters.

Kikuchi finished the exhibition slate in good form, and he was able to work up to 88 pitches. The southpaw got 13 whiffs among those offerings, including seven with his slider. Of note, Kikuchi threw only two sweepers Friday -- he's been tinkering with the pitch this spring as a potential addition to his arsenal. The veteran hurler's next time on the mound is slated for Opening Day against the White Sox.

Straw is in the running for a spot on the Blue Jays' Opening Day roster with Daulton Varsho (shoulder) set to begin the season on the injured list, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

The 30-year-old outfielder was dealt to Toronto in January in a salary dump by Cleveland, but Straw might end up making a contribution with his new club. He's batting a blistering .414 (12-for-29) this spring with a 2:5 BB:K while playing his usual strong defense in center field, putting him in the running to help cover for Varsho for the first couple weeks of the season. Both of his primary competitors, Nathan Lukes and prospect Alan Roden, hit from the left side of the plate, so Straw would be a fit alongside either of them if the team elects to use a platoon to replace Varsho.

Kingery cleared waivers Saturday and was sent outright to Triple-A Salt Lake.

Kingery was dropped from the Angels' 40-man roster Monday after going just 4-for-29 during spring training. However, he finished the Triple-A season with an .826 OPS across 507 plate appearances last year, and a similar output in 2025 could allow him to return to the majors for the first time in four years.

Lukes' chances of breaking camp with a bench spot on the Blue Jays' Opening Day roster have improved with Daulton Varsho (shoulder) set to begin the season on the injured list, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Toronto will likely carry two center fielders to cover for Varsho, with Lukes' main competition for those spots being Myles Straw and top prospect Alan Roden. Lukes hasn't done much to bolster his case this spring, batting .206 (7-for-34) in Grapefruit League play with one homer, one steal and a 7:8 BB:K, but the Jays are already familiar with what the 30-year-old has to offer in a bench role. Varsho should be back in early April, so even if Lukes winds up getting a majority of the playing time in center to begin the schedule, his window for fantasy utility will close quickly.

Roden is firmly in the mix for a spot on the Blue Jays' Opening Day roster with Daulton Varsho (shoulder) set to begin the season on the injured list, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

The organization wants Roden, one of its top prospects, to get consistent playing time, but that might be possible in the majors for the first couple weeks of the year with Varsho needing a little more time to complete his recovery from shoulder surgery. Roden has had an outstanding camp at the plate, batting .391 (9-for-23) with a 6:3 K:BB, two doubles and two homers in 18 games, but he could be stretched defensively in center field. Nathan Lukes and Myles Straw are also candidates to help cover for Varsho in center, and two of that trio seem likely to be on Toronto's initial 26-man roster.