Guice made good progress in his ACL recovery throughout winter and spring, only to pick up a minor hamstring injury at some point during the summer. Neither his knee nor his hamstring are apparently concerns entering training camp, but it bears mentioning that players are often more susceptible to other medical issues in the first year back from a severe injury. Running backs coach Randy Jordan already said he envisions a 50-50 or 60-40 carry split between Guice and Adrian Peterson, with Chris Thompson presumably getting most of the snaps in passing situations. Although he doesn't find himself in the most ideal backfield situation, the 2018 second-round pick at least will have a chance to emerge as the leader of a crowded position group.

The expectation had been that Moore would see regular starts at third base with Jorge Polanco being limited to designated hitter duties, but on Friday night it’s Miles Mastrobuoni at the hot corner and Leo Rivas starting at second base for the M’s. Expect things to remain fluid for as long as Polanco is unable to play in the field.

We knew that something would have to give with Gleyber Torres returning from the injured list on Friday and in the first iteration of the lineup it’s Malloy sitting against a right-handed pitcher with Spencer Torkelson still entrenched at first base, Colt Keith functioning as the team’s designated hitter and Kerry Carpenter starting in left field. Expect Malloy to see regular action against left-handed pitching but it looks like he could be on the short side of a platoon now.

Torres missed a couple of weeks after suffering a left oblique strain while hitting a home run against the Dodgers during the opening series of the season. He’ll jump right back into the Tigers’ lineup at second base and will bat leadoff against David Festa and the Twins on Friday evening in Minneapolis.

It’s nothing more than a routine day off for the hard-hitting backstop, especially after catching late into the night during an extra-inning game on Thursday night that included a lengthy rain delay. Rafael Marchan will start behind the dish for the Phillies and will bat ninth against Cardinals’ right-hander Andre Pallante.

As anticipated, Nicolas gets the call to join the Pirates’ bullpen after Thomas Harrington was optioned out on Thursday. Nicolas made 51 appearances out of the Bucs’ bullpen in 2024, compiling a 3.95 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and a 55/31 K/BB ratio across 54 2/3 innings. He’ll function in a middle relief role for manager Derek Shelton.

The 24-year-old infielder has been shelved since the final week of March due to a strained oblique. He’s only expected to need a handful of games on his rehab assignment before he’s ready to rejoin the Marlins’. The expectation is that he’ll rejoin the big league club before the end of next week, which will push Graham Pauley back into a part-time role.