MLB Player News

The Twins are currently likely to give most of the playing time at second base to Castro, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

As Hays notes, there's a decent chance the defensively versatile Castro will be needed elsewhere to cover for an injury, whether that's by Opening Day or at some point later on. However, the Twins are healthy right now on the position-player side, and if that holds, Castro appears lined up to see most of the reps at second base. Brooks Lee, Edouard Julien and Mickey Gasper are also competing for playing time at the keystone.

Smith struck out five batters and walked none while allowing one hit over three innings in his Cactus League start against the Dodgers on Saturday.

The first pick of the 2024 Rule 5 draft, Smith was left unprotected by Milwaukee but has impressed thus far in White Sox camp. The 24-year-old righty averaged 96.8 mph on his four-seam fastball (touching 98.4 mph) and threw the pitch 55 percent of the time Saturday. He mixed in his three secondary offerings, but it was Smith's fastball that shut down a stacked Dodgers lineup, including two Ks against Shohei Ohtani plus one apiece against Freddie Freeman and Will Smith. With Drew Thorpe (elbow) likely to open the year on the shelf, Smith could win the final spot in Chicago's rotation. He has certainly pitched well enough this spring (nine Ks, 0.75 WHIP in 6.2 innings) that the White Sox won't be returning Smith to the Brewers.

The Mariners are awaiting X-ray results on Garver's hand/wrist after he had to exit Monday's Cactus League game versus the Brewers following a hit-by-pitch, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Garver homered in his first plate appearance Monday before getting plunked in his second trip to the dish, forcing his exit from the contest. He's gone deep three times and posted a 1.420 OPS this spring, and, if healthy, could open the season as Seattle's primary designated hitter. The Mariners should have more information on Garver's condition later Tuesday.

Perez (back) will return to the lineup for Wednesday's Grapefruit League contest against the Rays, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Perez last played on March 2, but the lower-back tightness he's dealt with appears to have gone away. The 25-year-old has a good chance to open the season with a regular role for the Tigers while Matt Vierling (shoulder) and possibly Parker Meadows (arm) are sidelined.

Serven hasn't appeared in any Grapefruit League games since March 2 due to a left oblique strain, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Serven has been taking part in daily rehab activities since suffering the injury, but it's unclear if he'll be able to return to the lineup before the end of spring training. The oblique injury likely eliminates any chance Serven had of making the Tigers' Opening Day roster as a backup catcher.

The Red Sox optioned Dobbins to minor-league camp Tuesday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Added to the 40-man roster this offseason, Dobbins allowed three runs (two earned) with a 3:1 K:BB over four innings during Grapefruit League play. The 25-year-old finished the 2024 season at Triple-A Worcester and will head back there to start the 2025 campaign as part of Boston's rotation depth.

Mata (lat) is scheduled to pitch in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

While battling hamstring, lat, shoulder and elbow issues, Mata spent the entire 2024 season on the Red Sox's injured list. He was able to make 13 rehab appearances across four different affiliates last season, but he was never cleared to make his MLB debut before Boston non-tendered him in November. Mata re-signed with Boston on a minor-league deal and finally looks to be healthy again as he prepares to make his Grapefruit League debut Tuesday, but the 25-year-old right-hander won't be in contention for a spot on the Opening Day roster. He's instead expected to open the season at Triple-A Worcester, where he could end up making a full-time move to relief due to injuries having sidetracked his development as a starter.

Ort (oblique) threw a bullpen session Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Ort has taken a step forward in his throwing progression after he had previously been limited to playing catch off flat ground. The 33-year-old right-hander tweaked an oblique early in camp and has yet to make his Grapefruit League debut, but since he'll be deployed as a one- or two-inning reliever once healthy, Ort could still have a shot at being ready to go for Opening Day.

Walker (oblique) will take infield practice Tuesday but has not yet been cleared to swing a bat, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Walker injured his left oblique a little less than a week ago, but an MRI didn't show a strain and he's easing back into baseball activities. It's not clear when he might be ready to swing a bat and play in games, but he should be able to avoid a stint on the injured list if he can avoid a setback.

The Astros optioned Corona to minor-league camp Tuesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Corona has yet to make his MLB debut and struggled to the tune of a .213/.314/.289 slash line over 396 plate appearances between Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Sugar Land in 2024, so he never seemed to have much of a case for a spot on Houston's Opening Day roster. The speedy 24-year-old will play regularly in the minors to begin the season and could join Houston at some point later in 2025 if the big club's outfield depth is tested.