MLB Player News

Biggio is starting at second base and batting sixth Friday against the Yankees.

The 28-year-old was originally absent from Friday's lineup, but he's now starting after Kevin Kiermaier was scratched with a back injury. Biggio is off to a slow start this season, going 3-for-17 with a homer, four walks, three RBI and two runs in six games.

Kiermaier was scratched from Friday's lineup against the Yankees due to lower-back tightness.

Kiermaier was slated to start in center field Friday, per usual, but he'll instead be on the bench due to the back issue. The veteran outfielder should be considered day-to-day. Daulton Varsho will shift to center field while Davis Schneider moves out to left, with Cavan Biggio entering the lineup at second base.

White Sox general manager Chris Getz revealed Thursday that Nastrini has been battling an illness at Triple-A Charlotte, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Nastrini made his first start of the season for Charlotte on Wednesday and was bludgeoned for four runs on seven hits and two walks over just three innings, with Getz noting that the right-hander's stuff wasn't sharp, likely as a result of the illness. While Nastrini remains a candidate to start Monday in Cleveland, it's looking like the plan might be to keep him at Charlotte for a while, per James Fegan of SoxMachine.com. The Sox could be leaning toward filling the fifth slot in their rotation with bullpen games until Mike Clevinger is ready, which is expected to happen around May 1.

Hays is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Pirates.

Hays is without a hit in his past 10 at-bats and is 2-for-18 on the season, and he'll take a seat Friday for the second time in Baltimore's past three games. Top prospect Colton Cowser is receiving another start in left field and is 4-for-8 to begin the campaign, and he could take on a larger role if Hays continues to struggle at the plate.

Jansen (wrist) caught two live batting practice sessions and took batting practice of his own on the field Thursday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

He's slated to face a high-velocity pitching machine next. The Blue Jays are hoping Jansen will be ready to begin a rehab assignment with Low-A Dunedin on Sunday, when he would catch fellow rehabber Alek Manoah (shoulder). Jansen has been out with a small fracture in his right wrist.

Romano (elbow) threw his second bullpen session Thursday and is expected to throw live batting practice soon, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The right-hander continues to progress in his throwing program, and he could be ready for a minor-league rehab assignment after one or two live sessions versus hitters. Romano doesn't have an official timeline for his return from the injured list, but a mid-April activation seems realistic at this point.

Swanson (forearm) threw a live batting practice session Thursday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

It's the next step for Swanson as he works his way back from right forearm tightness. A rehab assignment would appear imminent, although it's not yet clear when exactly that will happen. Swanson is eligible for activation April 9.

Correa went 3-for-4 with a double in Thursday's 4-2 loss to Cleveland.

Correa had gone just 1-for-11 in his previous four games after racking up three hits Opening Day. With three more hits Thursday, Correa's now slashing a healthy .368/.520/.474 with a pair of doubles, three runs scored and three RBI through 25 plate appearances.

Julien went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Guardians.

Julien was the lone Twin who could solve Tanner Bibee on Thursday, as the 24-year-old second baseman poked an opposite-field homer to lead off the bottom of the fifth, cutting Minnesota's deficit to 3-1. It's an encouraging sign for Julien, who's scuffled a bit in the early going -- he has just three hits through his first 20 at-bats while striking out seven times. After an impressive rookie campaign, Julien should be the primary leadoff option in Minnesota against right-handed pitching.

The Blue Jays designated Parsons for assignment Friday.

The right-hander earned a place on Toronto's Opening Day roster but surrendered six runs over five frames in two appearances. Parsons had a 4.52 ERA in 17 starts at Triple-A Buffalo last season, so he seems unlikely to generate significant interest on waivers.