MLB Player News

Skubal has been named the Tigers' starting pitcher for their Opening Day game March 27 against the Dodgers, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

As the reigning unanimous American League Cy Young Award winner, Skubal was as obvious of a choice as it gets to take the ball Opening Day. He'll face a tall task in going up against the World Series champions, but fantasy managers aren't going to be sitting Skubal in any matchups.

Warren struck out four in three perfect innings Wednesday against the Cardinals.

Warren threw 13 sweepers, 12 sinkers, seven four-seamers and three changeups, with his sweeper doing the heavy lifting on a dominant second start of the spring. With Clarke Schmidt (back) expected to progress to live batting practice this weekend, it's too soon to say if the Yankees will have to dip into their starting pitching depth right away this season. However, Warren has clearly established himself as a high-upside, ascending pitcher early this spring, and he's at worst seventh on the Yankees' starting pitching depth chart.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said in an interview with Foul Territory TV on Wednesday that he plans to bat Judge second this season.

Judge hit in the two hole regularly in 2023 before moving to the three spot in 2024 while Juan Soto batted second. With Soto moving across town, Judge will now return to the second spot in the Yankees' lineup in 2025. Boone also seemed to imply that he'll likely hit either Cody Bellinger or Jazz Chisholm third, at least against right-handers. He has not decided on a leadoff hitter, but Chisholm and Jasson Dominguez seem to be the top candidates.

Young (arm) will be available off the bench for Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Athletics, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

According to Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times, Young had been limited in some workouts in the first couple weeks of spring training due to a sore right arm, but he's already appeared in three Cactus League contests, going 2-for-6 with a run scored. He's yet to serve as anything more than a designated hitter in those games, but his ability to play suggests that he's not in any real danger of missing the start of the minor-league season.

Garcia (forearm) will face hitters Thursday, Shawn McDonald of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Garcia is behind schedule due to some irritation in his left forearm, but he's coming along nicely in his recovery. If the southpaw gets through Thursday's session with no concerns, he could be ready to appear in a Cactus League game soon. Garcia is expected to be a high-leverage reliever for the Rangers and in the mix to earn save chances.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Wednesday that Buchanan (ankle) "should be on the mound next week," Shawn McDonald of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Buchanan has been shelved since spraining his left ankle during a fielding drill early on in camp. He could conceivably ramp up in time for Opening Day, but the 35-year-old is a long shot to make the Rangers' roster.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said that Walcott will be held out of workouts Wednesday and Thursday due to "a little soreness in the arm," Shawn McDonald of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Bochy indicated that the injury isn't serious and the team is just being cautious with its top prospect. Walcott, who doesn't turn 19 in March, is in camp as a non-roster invitee and is projected to begin the 2025 campaign at Double-A Frisco.

Scherzer topped out at 94.2 mph during his first Grapefruit League action Tuesday against the Cardinals, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

The 40-year-old right-hander looked good overall during his two innings of work, giving up one run on one hit and striking out four without walking a batter. Scherzer's velocity was especially encouraging, as he saw his fastball average sink to 92.5 mph last season over just nine starts with Texas. If the future Hall of Famer can stay mostly healthy and regain a bit of zip -- he averaged 93.8 mph in 2023 over 152.2 innings split between the Rangers and Mets -- Scherzer could put together one more solid campaign in his first stint with the Blue Jays.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Wednesday Clase (hamstring) has been running and could make his Grapefruit League debut by this weekend, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Clase has been slowed early on in camp by a sore hamstring but appears to have made good progress of late. If healthy, the switch-hitting outfielder could break camp with the big club, particularly with Daulton Varsho (shoulder) expected to begin the season on the injured list.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Wednesday that Loperfido (neck/back) will go through a full workout Thursday and could return to Grapefruit League play as soon as Friday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Loperfido suffered a neck/upper-back injury Tuesday when he collided with the outfield wall, but he emerged without any serious injuries and is not expected to miss much time. The 25-year-old is competing for a starting job in Toronto's outfield.