The Seattle Times' Adam Jude reports that Seattle Mariners infielder Jorge Polanco (side) is likely to serve as the designated hitter for another one to two weeks, according to a source. With Ryan Bliss out for the foreseeable future after tearing his biceps, it has the M's short-handed with infield options at the major-league level. In the short term at second base, Seattle has the left-handed-hitting Miles Mastrobuoni and switch-hitter Leo Rivas as stop-gap options. Mastrobuoni got the start against a right-hander on Wednesday. The light-hitting Rivas has a dependable glove and some speed, which is useful off the bench. Long term, former first-round prospect Cole Young has been regarded as the team's second baseman of the future. However, a promotion isn't imminent. At third base, Dylan Moore is the team's only viable option right now until Polanco is cleared to return to playing defense.

Detroit Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres (oblique) is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list on Friday, according to the Detroit News' Chris McCosky. In a corresponding move, outfielder Brewer Hicklen was optioned back to Triple-A Toledo. Fantasy managers will want to check back for confirmation, but Torres should be back in the starting lineup at the keystone for Detroit for Friday's series opener in Minnesota against the division-rival Twins. Torres suffered a minor oblique injury on March 28 but is ready to return after a minimal absence. The Venezuelan infielder went 3-for-7 with a homer, RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base in his first two games with the Tigers before getting injured. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues will want to get Torres back in their starting lineups if he's officially active on Friday.

Cleveland Guardians pitching prospect Parker Messick enjoyed another strong showing on Thursday evening with Triple-A Columbus. In this outing, Messick tossed five shutout innings. He allowed just two hits and no walks while striking out eight. In his first outing, he kept the score sheet clean as he did not allow a run over four innings. However, in that start, he allowed three hits and two walks. Messick spent the 2024 season split between High-A and Double-A and has already looked quite comfortable at Triple-A. Last summer, during his first look at Double-A, the former second-round pick posted an impressive 2.06 ERA with a 1.01 WHIP across 65 2/3 innings. During this stint, he struck out 85 batters. He is worth keeping a close eye on as he should be in the mix for his MLB debut later this summer.

The Minnesota Twins have officially placed starting pitcher Pablo Lopez (hamstring) on the 15-day injured list with a Grade 1 hamstring strain. The team recalled right-handed pitched David Festa in a corresponding move. It was the expected route for the team after Lopez left his last start against the Kansas City Royals early after tweaking his hamstring in the fifth inning. It's unfortunate news for the 29-year-old, who had compiled a strong 1.62 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 16 2/3 innings. The move is retroactive to Wednesday, and the hope is that Lopez will only require a minimum stay on the injured list. So long as he does not suffer any setbacks, he should be pitching again in a few weeks.

The Minnesota Twins have promoted right-handed pitcher David Festa from Triple-A St. Paul to Minnesota on Friday. In a corresponding move, the Twins placed right-handed pitcher Pablo Lopez (hamstring) on the 15-day injured list. Festa made his MLB debut last summer and logged 64 1/3 innings. The 25-year-old held a modest 4.50 ERA with a 1.32 WHIP. However, he posted an impressive 27.8 percent strikeout rate while generating whiffs at a 28.4 percent rate. He also showed improvement in the second half as he held a 3.13 ERA with a 1.04 WHIP across 23 innings in August. Through his first eight 1/3 innings with St. Paul this season, Festa has allowed six hits and five earned runs. However, that should not deter fantasy managers in 12+ team formats from adding him off the waiver wire. He is slated to start Friday evening against the Detroit Tigers.