MLB Player News

Garcia started in right field and went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Thursday's spring game against the Giants.

Garcia returned from a mild oblique strain after an eight-day absence Wednesday as the DH, but the pause in his spring doesn't seem to be an issue. "His timing has been right on," Rangers manager Bruce Bochy told Shawn McFarland of the Dallas Morning News. "He hit three balls hard yesterday, hit another one for the homer today. You see a difference." The downtime may even have been beneficial for Garcia, whose exit velocity was below normal during the first weeks of spring training.

Manoah (elbow) will throw a bullpen session Friday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

It will be the first time the right-hander has thrown off a mound since he underwent a hybrid internal brace procedure on his elbow last June. The plan calls for Manoah to face hitters by June and begin a rehab assignment in July, setting him up to help out the Blue Jays by August if all goes well.

Paddack (head) is starting Friday's split-squad game against the Rays.

The right-hander departed his previous start Saturday with a head contusion after a liner deflected off his glove, but he never entered the concussion protocol. Paddack has underwhelmed in his two spring outings with four runs allowed and a 3:0 K:BB over 5.2 innings, but he still appears on track to win a job at the back end of Minnesota's rotation.

Ortiz allowed four runs on four hits and three walks while striking out four over 3.2 innings in Thursday's spring start against the Rockies.

Ortiz made his fourth Cactus League start and through three innings appeared to have rebounded from a rocky third outing, but then the fourth inning came. The right-hander walked two and ceded a three-run home run to Jacob Stallings, the second homer Ortiz allowed on the day. Like the rest of his spring, one needs to squint to take the positives out of Thursday's outing. He reached 73 pitches and his fastball velo remained up. His spring ERA stands at 12.66, which is rough even by Cactus League standards, but as the club's major offseason pitching acquisition, Ortiz is expected to open the regular season as part of the rotation.

Povich took the loss in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays after giving up five runs on eight hits over 4.2 innings. He struck out two.

Although his final stat line leaves a lot to be desired, Povich had allowed a lone run through four innings before getting knocked around for four runs in the fifth frame. The 24-year-old left-hander is competing with Albert Suarez for Baltimore's final rotation spot in the wake of Grayson Rodriguez's elbow injury, but manager Brandon Hyde said prior to Thursday's game that Povich wasn't entering a "make-or-break" start, per Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com. Povich, who now holds a 4.66 ERA and 1.03 WHIP with nine strikeouts across 9.2 innings this spring, will likely get at least one more start in the Grapefruit League before the Orioles make a rotation decision.

Solano could see regular at-bats at designated hitter this season, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reports.

Mitch Haniger and Mitch Garver (hand) appear to be the most likely candidates to occupy Seattle's DH spot on a daily basis this season, but Jude believes Solano could also get his fair share of action there in addition to the corner infield spots. Of the three players, it's worth noting Garver has stood out the most this spring with three home runs and six RBI in 18 at-bats. The Mariners have plenty of reps to fill in the infield following the offseason exits of both Josh Rojas and Justin Turner on top of moving Ty France at least year's trade deadline, so the versatile Solano could see playing time on the diamond elsewhere even if he doesn't carve out a consistent role at DH.

Manager Dan Wilson is open to giving Raley some plate appearances against left-handed pitching, and the lefty-hitting slugger is projected to bat fifth in Seattle's lineup this season, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reports.

Raley is hitting .278 with two stolen bases over 18 at-bats this spring, and he appears to have a fairly clear path to steady reps at first base following Justin Turner's offseason departure. Donovan Solano represents Raley's main competition for playing time at the cold corner, but Jude notes the former could see action at designated hitter and third base. It's worth noting Rowdy Tellez is having a strong spring, but he's currently a non-roster invitee and isn't guaranteed to make the Opening Day roster.

Manager Dan Wilson revealed Thursday that Kirby (shoulder) has recently received a biologics injection, and the hope is the right-hander will be able to return to strengthening activities within 3-to-4 days, Shannon Drayer of SeattleSports.com reports.

The shot should aid the healing process for Kirby's right shoulder inflammation, but he's still slated to begin the season on the injured list while his recovery continues. In the meantime, 2020 first-rounder Emerson Hancock remains in position to open 2025 as Seattle's No. 5 starter despite struggling with a 9.53 ERA and 1.94 WHIP over 5.2 innings this spring.

The Astros plan to rarely use Alvarez in left field this season, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Alvarez played 53 games in left field in 2024, a number that manager Joe Espada wants to reduce in 2025. That plan has been made clear by the likely shift of Jose Altuve into left field, though there are still question marks with Jake Meyers and Chas McCormick in center and right field, respectively. Espada's hand could be forced if that duo underperforms again, but Alvarez's lengthy history of knee injuries is clearly on the mind of the team.

Baz was happy with his outing Thursday against the Nationals despite allowing four earned runs on five hits with two strikeouts and no walks across 4.1 innings, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Baz was hit hard early, as he allowed two singles and a homer to the first three batters he faced. He managed to settle in from there, and more importantly, both he and manager Kevin Cash were happy with the shape and execution of his pitches. Baz has allowed 10 earned runs with a 4:5 K:BB across 9.1 innings this spring, though his rotation spot seems secure given there haven't been signs of panic from either he or the team.