MLB Player News

Manager Bruce Bochy said Friday that Duran isn't guaranteed a place on the Rangers' Opening Day roster, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Duran posted a .276/.324/.443 slash line with 14 home runs in 122 games two seasons ago, but he slipped to a .609 OPS in 2024 and now doesn't have a secure role. The 25-year-old is competing for a utility job, but Josh Smith is poised to be the main reserve infielder while Leody Taveras lines up as the No. 4 outfielder.

Devers (shoulders) is scheduled to make his Grapefruit League debut Wednesday versus the Twins, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

The Red Sox have been proceeding slowly with Devers as he builds up strength in both of his shoulders. Assuming he plays Wednesday, he will have plenty of time to get ready for the March 27 season opener versus the Rangers, but the question remains as to whether he'll play third base or serve as the Red Sox's designated hitter on Opening Day. Devers made it clear earlier in camp that he views himself as Boston's third baseman, even after the team signed Alex Bregman.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that Casas (illness) returned to camp Sunday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Casas hasn't been included in a Grapefruit League lineup since March 2 due to a bug, but the first baseman looks like he'll begin ramping up again. The interruption in his spring routine shouldn't put Casas at any major risk of missing the Red Sox's March 27 season opener versus the Rangers.

Rodriguez was diagnosed with right elbow inflammation Sunday and will be shut down from throwing for 7-to-10 days after receiving a cortisone injection, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

The 25-year-old still doesn't appear to be dealing with any structural damage, but the elbow inflammation will shut him down for at least the next week. Manager Brandon Hyde already announced Friday that Rodriguez would be unavailable for Opening Day, but it remains to be seen just how much time he'll miss to begin the season.

Mattison (elbow) was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on Sunday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

The 25-year-old didn't see action in spring games while working through his rehab from Tommy John surgery. Mattison last pitched at the Double-A level in 2023 and had a 1.62 ERA over 33.1 innings, and he could be ready for action with Toledo at some point this summer.

The Tigers reassigned Vanasco (hip) to minor-league camp Sunday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Vanasco is still recovering from offseason surgery to address a labrum tear in his right hip, so he could be a candidate to open the 2025 season on the injured list at Triple-A Toledo. The 26-year-old right-hander was outrighted off Detroit's 40-man roster in November and re-signed with the organization on a minor-league deal.

The Tigers optioned Manning to Triple-A Toledo on Sunday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Manning was on the outside looking in for a rotation spot after logging a 4.88 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 23:12 K:BB over his five starts in the big leagues and a 4.28 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 72:25 K:BB in 69.1 innings at Triple-A last season. He'll begin the 2025 season back in Toledo's rotation and will be on the short list for a call-up whenever the Tigers require a spot starter.

Gamel (back) started in right field and went 1-for-3 in Friday's 6-4 loss to the Cardinals in Grapefruit League play.

Gamel was out of action for a little over a week due to a sore back, but the injury shouldn't derail his hopes of winning a spot on Houston's Opening Day roster as a reserve outfielder. While he won't start Sunday's game against the Marlins, Gamel is listed as an available reserve on the lineup card and could make his fifth appearance of the spring, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Walker (oblique) said Sunday that he won't swing a bat for a few days before beginning a hitting progression later on next week, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

After being scratched from the lineup last Wednesday due to left oblique soreness, Walker was sent for an MRI, which revealed no strain. He still needs the inflammation in his side to subside before he can fully resume baseball activities, however. Walker should still be ready for the Astros' March 27 season opener versus the Mets, but even if he avoids any further setbacks, he could still be a week or more away from Grapefruit League action.

O'Neill (rib cage) is starting in left field and batting cleanup in Sunday's split-squad game against the Twins.

O'Neill sat out the past couple days of Grapefruit League action due to left rib cage soreness, which came on the heels of an absence due to illness. The 29-year-old is still on track to be ready for Opening Day, but it's worth remembering that his 113 contests last season represented just the second time in his big-league career that the oft-injured outfielder has reached triple digits in games played.