Detroit Tigers third base prospect Jace Jung (wrist) underwent wrist surgery earlier this offseason to address lingering wrist inflammation. However, the team noted that the young infielder is expected to be ready for Spring Training. The Texas Tech product spent the majority of the 2024 season with Triple-A Toledo before earning a late-season promotion to the big leagues. Across 91 games at Triple-A, the former 12th-overall pick held a .257/.377/.454 line with 23 doubles and 14 home runs. In 34 games at the major league level, Jung held a similar .241/.362/.304 line. Under the hood, he generated a weak 34.0% hard-hit rate and a 4.0% barrel rate. Fantasy managers in deeper formats should continue to monitor his progress during Spring Training as he should be in a good position to make the Opening Day Roster.

Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Alex Lange (lat) has begun playing catch three times a week from 120 feet, according to the team. Lange underwent lat surgery in June which caused him to miss the entire second half of the 2024 season. Before the injury, the 29-year-old posted a 3.34 ERA and 1.77 WHIP across 18 2/3 innings. He tallied two saves and posted an underwhelming 17:21 BB:K ratio. However, he did generate whiffs at an elite 33.3% mark. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status leading up to Spring Training, as he may be able to participate, given his current pace. While Jason Foley will likely operate as the go-to ninth-inning option in Detroit this coming season, Lange could eventually mix in for opportunities as he tallied 26 saves during the 2023 season.

According to Chris McCosky, the Tigers are planning to use Colt Keith and Justyn-Henry Malloy at first base during Spring Training. While McCosky noted that Keith will still likely operate as the regular second baseman, this move could just add more positional flexibility to the roster. Keith made his major league debut last season and logged 133 of his starts at the keystone and the other 14 as the designated hitter. He held a .260/.309/.380 slash line. Malloy, however, made all of his starts in the outfield, and shifting to first base could provide him more opportunities during the 2025 season. Across a 71-game stint in the majors this past summer, Malloy held an underwhelming .203/.291/.366 line with seven doubles and eight home runs. Given his struggles, moving to first base could get him in the lineup more often, while Keith should be viewed as the No.1 second baseman heading into Spring Training.

Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez (hip) has initiated a running program and is expected to begin light defensive drills later this week. Baez underwent season-ending hip surgery in August, but based on his current progress, he may be ready for Spring Training. Earlier this offseason, team president Scott Harris noted that the former World Series champion will have a role on the 2025 roster. Before the injury, the 32-year-old posted a .184/.221/.294 line with just six home runs and eight stolen bases. He generated a low .264 xwOBA and .345 xSLG. In addition, he posted a low 4.2% walk rate and a high 23.9% K rate. While he may have a role in the starting nine as the everyday shortstop, fantasy managers should keep Baez off their radar, given his lack of stable offensive output.

According to MLB Network's Jon Morosi, the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees are two teams that have shown interest in trading for Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker, but the Astros are comfortable with keeping him in Houston for his walk year like they did with third baseman Alex Bregman in 2024. Even though Tucker missed a large chuck of this past season due to injury, he remains one of the best overall players in baseball, so any team looking to acquire him in a trade is going to have to give up a lot. The fact that the Astros are even listening to trade offers on Tucker means they are likely nervous that they won't be able to re-sign him next offseason. The 27-year-old will be a nice consolation for contending teams that lost out on Juan Soto, as Tucker, a former fifth overall pick in 2015, has a career .274/.353/.516 slash line with an .870 OPS and has averaged 28 homers in the last four years.