Detroit Tigers infielder/outfielder Matt Vierling (shoulder) is hitting batting practice, completing defensive drills and doing conditioning on a daily basis and has also been cleared to start a return to play throwing program, according to MLive's Evan Woodbery. A right-shoulder strain that Vierling suffered in spring training landed him on the injured list to begin the 2025 regular season, but he's making good progress and may be able to return to make his season debut at the end of April, barring any setbacks. However, with no timetable and the fact that he still needs to go on a minor-league rehab assignment, it's probably more likely we won't see him back in Detroit until early May. Given all of the injuries to Detroit's outfielders, Vierling will probably be in line for everyday playing time in the outfield when he's ready to return.

The Minnesota Twins have placed right-handed pitching prospect C.J. Culpepper (undisclosed) on the 7-day injured list at Double-A. The right-hander has had a hard time increasing his workload during camp and is behind schedule. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as he may not be sidelined for too long in the season. Last summer, Culpepper opened the season with High-A Cedar Rapids and was then promoted to Double-A. Across 37 1/3 innings at High-A, Culpepper posted a strong 2.89 ERA with a 1.07 WHIP. He held an 11:43 BB:K and allowed just one home run. Through his first taste of Double-A, the 23-year-old took a step back as he posted a much higher 4.71 ERA with a 1.24 WHIP. When Culpepper returns to action, he will need to improve at Double-A before reaching Triple-A St. Paul.

The San Francisco Giants have placed first base prospect Bryce Eldridge (wrist) on the Double-A 7-day injured list. The 20-year-old sustained this injury during spring training and will now miss the start of the Double-A regular season. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progression as he may not miss too much time, since he was only placed on the 7-day injured list. Eldridge is considered the top prospect in the San Francisco system and the No. 24-best in the sport. Last season, the 20-year-old opened the campaign at Low-A and was able to reach Triple-A by the final month. Across 108 games between Low-A, High-A, and Double-A, Eldridge held a strong .293/.376/.534 slash line. Through his brief eight-game taste of Triple-A, he tallied seven hits. The former 16th overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft should push for a late-season MLB debut.

Detroit Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres (oblique) is getting close to returning from the 10-day injured list, according to the Detroit News' Chris McCosky. Torres has increased his hitting regimen, and if he stays on track, he might not need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment. The 28-year-old is eligible to come off the IL this Friday, so he could be back for fantasy managers for this weekend's series on the road in Minnesota against the division-rival Twins. With Torres out, the Tigers have shifted Colt Keith to second base, opening up regular playing time at first base for Spencer Torkelson, the former No. 1 overall pick. When Torres returns, Torkelson should remain in the everyday lineup at designated hitter given his hot start (.289/.400/.553 with two homers and six RBI in 38 at-bats). Torres will be hoping to pick up where he left off after going 3-for-7 with a homer and steal in his first two games for Detroit.

Detroit Tigers catcher Jake Rogers (oblique) has been scratched from Tuesday's starting lineup against the New York Yankees at Comerica Park due to left-oblique tightness, according to The Athletic's Cody Stavenhagen. Dillon Dingler will take over behind the plate to catch left-hander Tarik Skubal while batting seventh against Yankees right-hander Carlos Carrasco. Rogers came into Tuesday's game hitting .222 (4-for-18) with a triple, four walks and five strikeouts in his first six games of the 2025 season. Dingler is the only other catcher on Detroit's big-league roster, so there's a good chance we'll see Rogers land on the injured list o that the Tigers aren't short-handed at the position. Dingler has gone 6-for-19 with a homer, triple and six RBI in his first six games of the season. He has never faced Carrasco in his two MLB seasons.