MLB Player News

Schneider was officially named to the Blue Jays' Opening Day roster Saturday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

By slashing .345/.500/.655 with five RBI and six runs scored over 38 plate appearances this spring, Schneider certainly made it difficult for Toronto to deny him a roster spot. He's likely to come off the bench most days, though his ability to play in left field as well as second and third base improves his chances of cracking the starting nine on any given day.

Eovaldi allowed one run on two hits and one walk while striking out one over four innings in Friday's spring start against the Angels.

Eovaldi retired the first seven batters he faced and nine of the first 10 over three scoreless innings before getting nicked for a run in his final frame. This was his final Cactus League tune-up and the best of his four spring outings. He finishes the spring with a 5.54 ERA, nine strikeouts and four walks over 13 innings. The right-hander next takes the ball Opening Day against the Red Sox.

Manager John Schneider said Saturday that Heineman has made the Blue Jays' Opening Day roster, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Heineman had the advantage by being the only catcher on the Jays' 40-man roster other than starter Alejandro Kirk, but he's officially beaten out Christian Bethancourt. Despite being a switch hitter, Heineman has never been much of a threat at the plate with a career .212/.298/.273 batting line.

Mize is expected to open the 2025 season as Detroit's No. 4 starter, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

The Tigers informed Kenta Maeda that he will begin the season in the bullpen and later optioned Keider Montero, leaving Mize and Jackson Jobe to round out the Tigers' Opening Day rotation. Both players should have some runway with Alex Cobb (hip) expected to miss at least the first month. Mize put up a 1.13 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 18:7 K:BB in 16 innings this spring, a vast improvement on his regular-season numbers from a year ago (4.49 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 78:29 K:BB in 102.1 innings).

Malloy (illness) is in the lineup for Saturday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta.

After turning the page on a stomach bug, Malloy will resume his bid for a bench spot on the Opening Day roster. The 25-year-old has made a compelling case so far, going 13-for-43 in exhibition play, though only three of those hits have gone for extra bases (all doubles).

Kreidler was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on Saturday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Kreidler hit two homers and drew 10 walks in 19 Grapefruit League games, but it wasn't enough to secure a spot on Detroit's bench to begin the regular season. The 27-year-old has appeared in the majors in each of the past three seasons, topping out at 84 big-league plate appearances in 2022.

Montero was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on Saturday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

The 24-year-old righty put together a decent spring, posting a 3.21 ERA, 1.29 WHP and 17: 6 K:BB in 14 innings, but Montero ultimately fell short in his bid for a roster spot. In light of this transaction, Casey Mize and Jackson Jobe appear locked in at the back of the rotation for Detroit.

Jobe is expected to open the season as the Tigers' No. 5 starter, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Kenta Maeda was informed Friday that he will begin the season in the bullpen and Keider Montero was optioned Saturday, which seemingly locks Jobe into the rotation. Jobe, Detroit's top pitching prospect, has made four starts in the Grapefruit League this spring, pitching to a 3.65 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 8:4 K:BB over 12.1 innings. He lines up for a road start in Seattle during the first full week of the regular season.

Story (back) is in the lineup for Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Back tightness led to Story being scratched Friday for the second time in 10 days. While he will make a quick turnaround, keeping Story in line for Opening Day, these issues will likely temper enthusiasm surrounding his strong spring (.333/.341/.615). Story has not reached 100 games played in a season since 2021.

Langeliers went 1-for-3 with a home run in Friday's spring training win over Kansas City. He's hitting .316 (12-for-38) with two home runs this spring.

Langeliers is set to return as the starting catcher and could improve upon the 29 home runs and .738 OPS he posted last season with the move to a more hitter-friendly home park.