MLB Player News

Kikuchi pitched 2.2 innings in a Cactus League game against the Dodgers on Friday, allowing two runs on three hits and one walk while striking out three batters.

Kikuchi began his outing by giving up a home run to Shohei Ohtani, and then served up two straight singles that led to another run via a sacrifice fly. The veteran lefty was lifted with two outs and two runners on base in the first frame, but under spring training rules he was allowed to re-enter the contest in the second. Kikuchi looked good after that return, retiring the final six batters he faced. Despite the uneven outing, Kikuchi is penciled in to start for the Angels on Opening Day against the White Sox.

Detmers pitched three scoreless innings in a Cactus League contest against the White Sox on Friday, allowing one hit and two walks while striking out two batters.

Detmers' second spring outing got off to a shaky start, as he allowed two of the first four White Sox batters to reach base. However, the southpaw rebounded thereafter, retiring seven of the final eight hitters he faced. It was a promising performance by Detmers as he seeks to win the Angels' No. 5 starter job. Jack Kochanowicz, who was scratched from his scheduled start Thursday due to an illness, is likely Detmers' top competition for the role.

Garcia (forearm) is expected to make his Cactus League debut Monday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Garcia has been dealing with some irritation in his left forearm over the past few weeks, but he was able to get through a live session Thursday without any issues and is now cleared to return to a competitive setting. The 28-year-old turned in a 4.22 ERA and 1.19 WHIP alongside a 75:16 K:BB across 59.2 innings with the Nationals last season and is expected to handle high-leverage situations for Texas in 2025.

DeGrom will make his first Cactus League start next Friday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

DeGrom is set to throw his first round of live batting practice Saturday in preparation for his first spring start, after spending the past few weeks throwing bullpen sessions. The veteran right-hander will have slightly less than three weeks after his first spring appearance to ramp up for Opening Day. Given he missed most of the last two seasons, it seems likely he begins the season under some workload restrictions.

Jackson went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, a walk and three RBI in Friday's Grapefruit League win over Toronto.

Jackson drove in half of New York's runs in the exhibition contest, drilling a solo homer to left field in the fifth inning and adding a two-run double in the sixth. The 29-year-old is trying to secure the Yankees' backup catcher job this spring, with J.C. Escarra and Ben Rice also candidates for the role.

Cole pitched 3.1 innings against Toronto in a Grapefruit League game Friday, allowing one run on three hits while striking out five batters.

Cole was sharp in his first appearance this spring, throwing 33 of 46 pitches for strikes. His fastball sat at 95-to-96 mph, and the veteran righty included 15 changeups in his pitch mix. Cole missed most of the first half of last season due to an elbow issue, but he's expected to be fully ready for the beginning of the regular season this year.

Taylor was scratched from the lineup ahead of Saturday's Cactus League game versus Seattle due to right elbow inflammation, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The severity of Taylor's injury isn't immediately clear, though the White Sox will likely offer more information on his condition at some point. In the meantime, Wilfred Veras will step in to play right field while batting ninth.

Jenkins is roughly 1-to-2 weeks behind after suffering a mild ankle sprain last week, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Jenkins was sidelined for roughly two months last season due to a hamstring injury, though his sprained ankle doesn't seem to be nearly as serious. He may have to miss a few games during spring training, though the Twins don't believe his availability for the start of the minor-league season will be affected.

Manager Brandon Hyde said Saturday that O'Neill is dealing with an illness, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

O'Neill isn't expected to miss more than a day or two before returning. While he rests, Dylan Beavers will draw a start in left field Saturday against the Pirates.

Carter (illness) will start in center field and bat third in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Brewers.

Carter was scratched from Friday's lineup due to an illness, but his health seems to have improved ahead of Saturday's game. The 22-year-old is 1-for-7 with a double and two strikeouts across three games so far this spring.