MLB Player News

Muncy will start at shortstop and bat eighth in Thursday's Cactus League game against the Padres.

Muncy didn't make any appearances after Aug. 22 last season due to an unspecified injury, but he looks to be back to full health for spring training. The 22-year-old shortstop prospect has gone hitless with one walk over five plate appearances through his first three Cactus League games. Muncy is expected to open the upcoming season at Triple-A Las Vegas.

Manager A.J. Hinch said that Baez (hip) will make his Grapefruit League debut Friday against the Blue Jays as the Tigers' designated hitter, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

The hope is that he'll be ready to play the field next week. Baez underwent a right hip labral repair last September and has been a bit behind schedule early on in camp, but he is expected to be ready to go for Opening Day. The veteran infielder is likely in store for a reduced role this season with Trey Sweeney expected to serve as the Tigers' primary shortstop.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Thursday that Vierling is recovering from a right shoulder injury, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Vierling hasn't played since Sunday, though it's unclear if he suffered the injury in the Tigers' Grapefruit League game that day or if he had been nursing the shoulder injury heading into the contest. The Tigers are expected to provide more details on Vierling's injury Friday. Vierling is expected to be a regular for the Tigers this season, with most of his playing time likely to come between right field and third base.

Miller (finger) will start Thursday's Cactus League game against the Giants.

Miller missed his final start of the 2024 season due to a blister on his right index finger, but the injury didn't affect his offseason training program. He'll take the hill for his first outing of the spring and will have a firm grasp on a starting spot in a talented Seattle rotation heading into Opening Day. Over his 31 starts covering 180.1 innings this past season, Miller turned in a 2.94 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 171:45 K:BB.

Harvey threw a scoreless inning in his spring debut Tuesday and says he's fully healthy after a back injury prevented him from pitching in the postseason, the Kansas City Star reports. "Last year was tough," Harvey said. "It didn't feel good to rotate, which is kind of the main thing we need to be able to do. We just couldn't get it to ever calm down."

Harvey met with specialists is in the offseason and the back issue was determined just to be tightness. He delayed his normal offseason throwing program by a month to aid his recovery and appears to be back to regular strength. Harvey will be a key setup man ahead of Lucas Erceg and Carlos Estevez this season, assuming he can stay healthy.

Holliday has been working on his footwork at second base with Orioles guest coach Brian Roberts, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Roberts and Holliday are both former shortstops who have made the move to second base, and the 21-year-old is still getting a handle on some of the intricacies of his footwork on the other side of the second-base bag. Holliday has referred to Roberts' tutelage as "very helpful," with his new setup helping the accuracy and quickness of his throws. Roberts has also helped Holliday with his baserunning as the young infielder looks to steal more bases in 2025. Holliday is the heavy favorite to open the season as the Orioles' primary second baseman.

They Royals plan to use Erceg in the highest leverage spots in 2025, whether that be the ninth for a save opportunity or in the seventh inning, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports. Erceg gave up a run with two hits and two strikeouts in one inning during his spring debut Wednesday and reached 98.1 mph with his fastball.

Erceg racked up 11 of Kansas City's 15 saves last season after the team acquired him from Oakland in July and didn't have much competition for the closer role prior to the signing of Carlos Estevez. It appears Erceg will operate as more of a late-inning fireman that receives some save opportunities while Estevez is likely to work the ninth inning with a bit more consistency.

Rortvedt will not be allowed to throw for 3-to-4 days after receiving an injection Wednesday in his sore right shoulder, MLB.com reports.

The Rays are hopeful Rortvedt will be ready to return to Grapefruit League play shortly after the brief shutdown period. He's slated to open the season as the team's No.2 catcher behind Danny Jansen.

Larnach (hamstring) will start in right field and bat cleanup in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates.

Larnach will be making his second start of the spring after he went 0-for-2 as a designated hitter in last Saturday's 3-1 win over Atlanta. The 28-year-old finished the 2024 season on the injured list with a left hamstring strain, but his ability to play the corner outfield Thursday suggests he's no longer slowed by the injury. Larnach should have the inside track on a regular spot in the lineup versus right-handed pitching after slashing .261/.342/.441 with a 124 wRC+ over 377 plate appearances against righties in 2024.

Varsho (shoulder) could make his Grapefruit League debut as a designated hitter as soon as Friday, MLB.com reports.

Varsho has been facing live pitching and taking batting practice with no issues but has not yet been cleared to throw at full effort as he works his way back from last September's right rotator cuff surgery. The 28-year-old is not expected to be ready for Opening Day, but getting into a spring game before the end of February, even if it's just as a hitter, would be a good sign for his recovery.