MLB Player News

Arias went 1-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Saturday's spring game against Kansas City.

Arias launched his second Cactus League home run and has hits in five of his last six outings. Part of the competition for the starting job at second base, Arias may be leading the race, although Tyler Freeman has hit the best of the quartet with a .333/.419/.630 slash line in 31 plate appearances. Juan Brito and Angel Martinez are also in the mix.

Scherzer (thumb) will throw in a minor-league game early this week, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Scherzer was scratched from Thursday's Grapefruit League start against the Orioles due to right thumb soreness. An MRI came back negative, and he remains on track to be ready for Opening Day. Across three spring outings, Scherzer has allowed two runs on three hits while striking out 14 over nine innings.

Castellano is a candidate to win a spot in the bullpen, Bobby Nightengale of the Minnesota Star Tribune reports. The Rule 5 pick threw two scoreless innings with three strikeouts and no walks in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta.

Castellano has a 6.75 ERA with a 12:8 K:BB in eight innings this spring. Walks have been a major issue for the right-hander, so it was a good sign that he didn't issue any free passes Saturday. The Twins may use him in low-leverage spots until injured veterans Michael Tonkin (shoulder), Brock Stewart (knee) and Justin Topa (shoulder) are able to return. Castellano has touched 98 mph with his fastball this spring, and his upside gives Minnesota incentive to find a way to keep him rather than returning him to the Phillies.

Manzardo went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run in Saturday's spring game against the Royals.

Manzardo launched his third Cactus League home run and is batting .412 (14-for-34) with five extra-base hits and seven RBI through 13 games. The 24-year-old should be a lineup regular in 2025 for the Guardians, either at designated hitter or first base.

McKenzie allowed four runs on six hits while striking out four over 4.2 innings in Saturday's spring start against Kansas City.

McKenzie gave up a lot of loud contact, including two home runs, and did nothing to enhance his bid for the final spot in the rotation during his fourth Cactus League start. The right-hander has allowed 10 runs (8.18 ERA) on 15 hits and five walks with eight strikeouts over 11 spring innings. The one thing going for McKenzie is that he's out of minor-league options. Logan Allen (1.88 ERA, 14.1 spring innings) and Joey Cantillo (7.45, 9.2 IP) are also in the mix for the final rotation spot, but each has options remaining.

The Twins announced Sunday that Canterino underwent season-ending surgery this week to tighten the ligaments in his shoulder, Phil Miller of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

Canterino missed the past two seasons while recovering from Tommy John surgery and a rotator cuff strain, and he'll be sidelined for a third straight campaign. He had a 1.83 ERA across 34.1 innings at the Double-A level in 2022.

Tonkin (right shoulder strain) will begin the season on the 15-day injured list, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

Tonkin is apparently making progress but won't be ready in time for Opening Day. He last pitched Feb. 28. The Twins bullpen will be a little thin at the start of the regular season with Tonkin, Brock Stewart (knee) and Justin Topa (shoulder) all dealing with injuries.

Morales is hitting .450 (9-for-20) with a home run this spring after going 1-for-3 in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta.

Morales has made a strong impression this spring but is a long shot to win an Opening Day roster spot. However, his performance and versatility could make him a candidate for an early-season callup. Morales started Sunday's game in left field but has also played second base and catcher. He hit .290 with a .819 OPS and 10 home runs in 106 games last season between Double-A and Triple-A. He's not a top prospect and will turn 26 this season, but he could be a late bloomer who eventually finds his way to a productive major-league bench role.

Diaz (illness) is starting behind the plate and batting cleanup in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The 26-year-old has been sidelined the past few days due to an illness but is ready to return to the lineup. Diaz has gone just 4-for-30 through 11 games in spring training, but he also had a .666 OPS last spring before turning in a .299/.325/.441 slash line with 16 homers during the regular season.

Mateo (elbow) is starting at shortstop and batting seventh in Sunday's split-squad game against the Phillies, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Mateo underwent UCL reconstruction surgery on his left (non-throwing) elbow in late August and will be making his first start of spring training. The 29-year-old hasn't officially been ruled out for Opening Day, but manager Brandon Hyde recently said Mateo is unlikely to be available.