MLB Player News

The Blue Jays optioned Valenzuela to Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

Valenzuela performed well during spring training, posting an .848 OPS across 11 Grapefruit League contests, but he will fall short of an Opening Day roster spot. Should Alejandro Kirk or Tyler Heineman have to miss any length of time during the regular season, Valenzuela would likely be promoted to provide depth behind the plate.

Early allowed one hit and two walks while striking out seven over five scoreless innings in Wednesday's spring start against the Yankees.

The three-way competition for the fifth starter's job rages on, and Early submitted another piece of evidence that he's ready for the job. The left-hander has allowed four runs (three earned) over 17 innings (1.59 ERA) with five walks and 16 strikeouts in the Cactus League. The other contenders have been equally effective. Payton Tolle threw four scoreless innings of relief Tuesday, lowering his spring ERA to 2.53, while Johan Oviedo, perhaps the frontrunner, has matched Early's 1.59 ERA with 13 strikeouts over 9.2 innings. All three pitchers have minor-league options.

Collins (side/back) will start at designated hitter and bat leadoff in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Rangers.

Collins will return to the lineup for the first time since March 10 after being slowed by mild back and left side tightness over the past week. Prior to missing time, Collins had already logged 20 plate appearances in spring training, so he'll likely need to play in just a couple more games for the Royals to feel comfortable carrying him on the Opening Day roster.

The Tigers reassigned Julks to minor-league camp Wednesday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Julks saw 13 plate appearances over six games in the big leagues with the White Sox in 2025, but he was facing an uphill battle to securing a spot on a more talented Tigers roster heading into Opening Day. The 30-year-old outfielder acquitted himself well during the spring, posting a 1.165 OPS over 31 plate appearances. If he can continue mashing early on at Triple-A Toledo, Julks could merit more serious consideration for a return to the majors.

The Tigers reassigned Pilkington to minor-league camp Wednesday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Pilkington inked a minor-league deal in February that included an invitation to spring training, but he'll begin the 2026 season in Triple-A. The 28-year-old left-hander appeared in 32 games out of the Nationals' bullpen last season, registering a 4.45 ERA and 34:17 K:BB across 28.1 innings.

The Tigers reassigned Rainey to minor-league camp Wednesday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Rainey yielded just one earned run over 7.2 innings during the Grapefruit League, but his shiny 1.17 ERA was accompanied by an unsightly 6:6 BB:K. The 33-year-old reliever previously saved 12 games for the Nationals in 2022, but he's struggled to find his footing in the majors since undergoing Tommy John surgery that same year. Between his stops with Pittsburgh and Detroit last season, Rainey surrendered 12 earned runs on eight hits and nine walks in 9.2 innings.

The Tigers reassigned Little to minor-league camp Wednesday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Little was one of five non-roster invitees cut Wednesday as the Tigers move closer to setting their Opening Day roster. The 28-year-old righty is expected to report to Triple-A Toledo, where he'll likely spend most of the 2026 season. Little reached the majors in 2025for the first time as a member of the Dodgers, making two relief appearances and yielding two earned runs over three innings.

The Tigers reassigned Effross (oblique) to minor-league camp Wednesday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Effross made three Grapefruit League appearances before his bid for a spot in the Tigers' Opening Day bullpen effectively ended after he was shut down just over a week ago due to a left oblique strain. If he's not cleared to face hitters by the time minor-league camp ends this weekend, Effross could begin the season on Triple-A Toledo's injured list.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Wednesday that Rogers recently sustained a mild concussion but is expected to be ready to go for Opening Day, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Rogers had been expected to be available off the bench for Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates but won't play after suffering the head injury when he was struck in the face with the bat during a swing in the batting cage. The veteran backstop required stitches to address some superficial injuries, but clearing the concussion protocol will be the main concern for Rogers leading up to Opening Day. If he doesn't progress as quickly as anticipated or suffers a setback, non-roster invitee Tomas Nido could be included on the Opening Day squad as a backup option behind No. 1 catcher Dillon Dingler.

The Mariners optioned Hoppe to Triple-A Tacoma on Wednesday.

After being acquired from the Red Sox in November, Hoppe was immediately added to the Mariners' 40-man roster heading into 2026. The 27-year-old righty has yet to make his big-league debut, but he could be a candidate to join the Mariners at some point later on in the season if he thrives with Tacoma. Hoppe split time between Triple-A Worcester and Double-A Portland in Boston's organization last season, logging a 4.55 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 73:34 K:BB in 61.1 innings.