Twins’ Phil Hughes strikes out seven Class A batters Friday
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(11:50 am ET) Twins starting pitcher Phil Hughes made a minor-league start Friday against Rays’ Class A players, per MLB.com. The right-hander allowed three runs on five hits (one home run) in six innings, while throwing 69 pitches and recording seven strikeouts.

Hughes is 2-0 with a 6.35 ERA in four spring starts. He has allowed eight runs on 13 hits (two home runs) and five walks, while striking out 10 in 11 1/3 innings.

Orioles’ Kevin Gausman to pitch five innings on Tuesday
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(11:29 am ET) Although Orioles pitcher Kevin Gausman could be in line to start the season in the bullpen, manager Buck Showalter told reporters he’ll make another start on Tuesday, per MLB.com. Gausman is tentatively scheduled to pitch five innings against the Rays. He has allowed two runs in four innings this spring.

If a game gets rained out from Friday until his next start, Gausman could be bumped Tuesday in favor of Ubaldo Jimenez, according to the Baltimore Sun.

Red Sox’s Joe Kelly pitches three innings in intrasquad game
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(11:24 am ET) Red Sox starting pitcher Joe Kelly (biceps) pitched three innings in a minor-league intrasquad games, according to Comcast SportsNet Northeast. He allowed one run on two hits and two walks while striking out five. Of his 53 pitches, 31 were strikes.

Indians OF Nick Swisher tests injured knees in minor-league game
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(11:16 am ET) Indians outfielder Nick Swisher took part in sliding drills to test his injured knees before playing in a minor-league game on Thursday, according to the Plain Dealer.

“He slid on the mat,” said Francona. “He needed to do that. You can’t let a guy get in a game without being able to slide because you never know what can happen.”

Angels OF Kole Calhoun (triceps) held out of Friday’s lineup
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(11:12 am ET) Angels outfielder Kole Calhoun was not in the lineup for Friday’s game against the Diamondbacks, according to the Los Angeles Times. Calhoun was removed from Thursday’s game in the second inning because of a right triceps contusion. He is 12 for 41 with one double and three walks in Cactus League play.

Tigers remove Victor Martinez from lineup for undisclosed reasons
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(11:08 am ET) Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez was removed from the starting lineup, and is no longer on the travel roster for Friday’s game against the Blue Jays in Dunedin.

Martinez said following a 6-4 win over Baltimore on Thursday that he’s experiencing some soreness in his surgically-repaired left knee. The team has not announced if Martinez was removed from the lineup due to knee issues, per MLive.com. He remains in Detroit’s tentative lineup for Saturday’s home game against the Cardinals.

Yankees tab Masahiro Tanaka for Opening Day start
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(11:04 am ET) Yankees manager Joe Girardi announced Friday starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka will start Opening Day (April 6) against the Blue Jays. It will be his first Opening Day start.

Girardi added Tanaka will be followed in the rotation by Michael Pineda, CC Sabathia and Nathan Eovaldi. Sabathia has started the last six openers for New York.

The Yankees have not yet officially announced a fifth starter, but general manager Brian Cashman indicated earlier this week Adam Warren is the favorite to land the final spot in the rotation.

Tanaka and Sabathia were considered the top two candidates to start Opening Day. However, Girardi held off in making the decision as he wanted to see how both pitchers responded this spring coming off injury-plagued campaigns in 2014. While Sabathia is coming off knee surgery, Tanaka did not undergo surgery last season for a partially torn UCL. Although, he did miss a few months due to the elbow injury.

Tanaka is 1-1 with a 1.74 ERA in three spring starts. He also has 12 strikeouts to just one walk in 10 1/3 innings.

Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez will make 1B debut on Sunday
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(10:52 am ET) Yankees manager Joe Girardi told reporters that infielder Alex Rodriguez will make his first base debut on Sunday, per MLB.com. He will play five innings against the Astros in Kissimmee.

Rodriguez has seen time at third base and as the team’s designated hitter this spring. Earlier in the week, general manager Brian Cashman said that Rodriguez has shown enough to be trusted as the full-time DH. The 39-year-old is hitting .290 (9 for 31) with two homers and three RBI in his first 13 spring games back from suspension.

Orioles’ Jonathan Schoop returns to lineup after dental work
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(10:46 am ET) As expected, Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop (dental) returned to the starting lineup for Friday’s Grapefruit League game against the Rays, according to the Baltimore Sun. Schoop missed Thursday’s game after he had one wisdom tooth removed and another tooth in front of it on Wednesday. He is hitting .243 (9 for 37) this spring.

Nationals’ Span set to take first swings since undergoing surgery
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(10:28 am ET) Nationals outfielder Denard Span is scheduled to swing a fungo in the batting cage Friday, per The Washington Times. It will be his first swings since undergoing core muscle surgery in early March.