MLB Player News

Urias (hamstring) will return to the lineup against the Yankees on Thursday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Urias has been working through hamstring soreness, but he's expected to return after the Orioles' off-day Wednesday. He's expected to be on Baltimore's Opening Day roster and could get some starts early in the regular season if Gunnar Henderson (side) is on the shelf.

Torkelson is set to see some time in right field to wrap up spring training, starting with Monday's contest against the Pirates, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Detroit's outfield has been ravaged by injuries, with Parker Meadows (arm) and Matt Vierling (shoulder) both set to miss Opening Day. Wenceel Perez also recently dealt with back tightness, though he managed to return Saturday after missing a few days of action. Even with Perez back in the fold, the Tigers could use some more outfield depth, which is why they're giving Torkelson a try. He has only ever played first base or served as the DH in the majors, though the former Arizona State star did see some time in the outfield during his college days. Any additional positional versatility would help Torkelson's chances of making the Opening Day roster and could give him a bit more fantasy value this season.

Skubal allowed two runs on six hits across five innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies. He struck out seven.

This was the longest spring start so far for Skubal, who appears to be ready for the regular season. To no one's surprise, the lefty has been sharp during the exhibition slate, posting a 2.70 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 15 strikeouts across 13.1 Grapefruit League innings. The reigning American League Cy Young Award winner may make one more spring appearance before starting Detroit's season opener March 27, on the road against the Dodgers.

Jeffers went 1-for-3 with a double in Saturday's spring training win over Atlanta. He's hitting .290 (9-for-31) this spring.

Jeffers stirred All-Star talk with a hot start to last season, hitting 12 home runs with an .892 OPS though his first 51 games. He faded in the second half though, managing seven home runs with a .632 OPS over his final 47 contests. Expect the Twins to make sure he gets plenty of rest as a result, as the team is expected to split playing time behind the plate between Jeffers and Christian Vazquez.

After tossing two scoreless innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies, Hanifee now has a 0.00 ERA and 0.82 WHIP across 7.1 innings this spring along with seven strikeouts.

Hanifee was a pleasant surprise for the Tigers in 2024, posting a 1.84 ERA and 1.12 WHIP across 29.1 regular-season innings after getting called up to the majors in early August. The righty often served as an opener and gave Detroit some length out of the bullpen. Based on his strong showing last year and impressive spring so far, Hanifee should have a roster spot locked up, and he may see more high-leverage work as the season progresses.

Torres was scratched from the lineup ahead of Sunday's spring game against the Orioles due to a right quadriceps contusion.

It's likely a precautionary move from the Tigers, but Torres will probably undergo further testing. The second baseman agreed to a one-year, $15 million contract with Detroit in December after playing for the Yankees for the past seven seasons. He finished the 2024 regular season with a .257/.330/.378 slash line, 15 home runes and 63 RBI across 665 plate appearances.

Manager Joe Espada announced Sunday that Valdez will start Opening Day against the Mets on March 27, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

After posting a career-best 2.91 ERA with a 1.11 WHIP and 169:55 K:BB across 176.1 regular-season innings last season, it was only a matter of time before Espada named Valdez as Houston's Opening Day starter. The left-hander has focused on the movement of his pitches during spring training and overall has pitched well with a 2.53 ERA across 10.2 innings.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Sunday that Walker (oblique) is scheduled to return to spring games next weekend and should be ready for Opening Day, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Walker has been rehabbing from a sore left oblique that developed in early March and has progressed to hitting in a batting cage. Walker signed a three-year, $60 million contract with the Astros in December after spending the last eight seasons with the Diamondbacks.

Rivera is working through left shoulder soreness that popped up during Thursday's spring game against the Blue Jays, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Rivera started feeling discomfort in his left shoulder when swinging the bat. He'll likely be held out for the next couple of days and could return following the Orioles' off-day Wednesday.

Manager John Schneider said Sunday that Varsho (shoulder) is likely to begin the season on the injured list if he's not cleared to play the outfield, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

The 28-year-old has been serving as a designated hitter in spring games while he continues to rehab from September shoulder surgery, but Schneider apparently doesn't want to continue that plan into the regular season. Varsho has extended his throwing distance to 120 feet, and the Blue Jays are expected to make a decision on his availability for Opening Day by the end of the week. Any potential absence to begin the season likely wouldn't be lengthy.