Steer (shoulder) made three plate appearances in a minor-league game Thursday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Steer, who tested the shoulder earlier this week by throwing, took another step in his recovery Thursday, participating in his first game action of any kind since Feb. 27. He believes he'll be ready to start the regular season as a designated hitter but would be unable to play a position. Steer followed up Thursday's activity by taking more swings against reliever Scott Barlow. While he may be able to swing a bat in time for the regular season, Steer has about 20 spring at-bats, only seven of which have been in Cactus League play. He normally prefers about 50 at-bats.

Farmer is expected to handle the bulk of the second-base reps for the Rockies to begin the season while Thairo Estrada (wrist) is sidelined, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Estrada will miss 4-to-8 weeks after being diagnosed with a fractured right wrist, so Farmer will be given a lengthy look. The 34-year-old slashed only .214/.293/.353 last season with the Twins, but he could be relevant in deeper leagues while playing half his games at Coors Field. If Farmer struggles out of the gate, it could open the door for prospect Adael Amador to get another look.

Alonso went 1-for-4 with a walk and a three-run home run in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.

He crushed a pitch from Miguel Castro over the left-field fence in the sixth inning. It was Alonso's first long ball this spring, but he also has four doubles among his nine hits while batting .220 (9-for-41) with a 7:8 BB:K. The slugging first baseman appears to be getting his timing down just in time for Opening Day.

Contreras reached base in all three of his plate appearances Wednesday versus the Nationals and is now slashing .412/.512/.588 during Grapefruit League play.

Contreras has drawn positive reviews for his defense at first base, and if this spring is any indication, a move off catcher could unlock more offense for the 32-year-old. He's expected to see most of his action at first base in 2025 but will also be used some at designated hitter, as he was Wednesday.

Wade is expected to begin the regular season batting leadoff against right-handed pitchers, Maria Guardado of MLB.com reports.

While Wade doesn't possess the speed of a prototypical leadoff batter, his ability to draw walks has made him a top candidate for the role. The 31-year-old's .219 batting average during spring training is unimpressive, though he has drawn 10 walks, resulting in a .422 on-base percentage. "He's got that kind of eye," manager Bob Melvin said Tuesday. "It's really unique in the game. We're seeing it again this spring. We feel pretty good about him in the leadoff spot." Wade has primarily been utilized at first base but made five starts in the outfield last season. If he bats leadoff against right-handed pitchers, Jung Hoo Lee will likely slide into the three-hole.

The Diamondbacks reassigned Mancini to minor-league camp Wednesday.

The 33-year-old posted an impressive 1.121 OPS in 27 plate appearances in Cactus League play, but with Arizona already having Josh Naylor, Pavin Smith and Randal Grichuk (ankle) as options at first base or designated hitter, Mancini couldn't crack the Opening Day roster. Unless his minor-league contract contains an opt-out clause that enables him to pursue opportunities elsewhere, Mancini will likely begin the season at Triple-A Reno.

Chaparro (oblique) is slated to begin the season on the injured list, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

An MRI last week on Chaparro's left oblique confirmed a strain, which will knock the infielder out of commission for a few weeks. Chaparro had been competing for the final spot on the Nationals' bench.

The Rockies reassigned Hiura to minor-league camp Wednesday.

Though he's just 28 years old and has three double-digit home-run seasons on his resume at the MLB level, Hiura's high strikeout rates and lack of defensive flexibility have made it difficult for him to stick in the big leagues over the past two seasons. He spent the majority of the 2024 campaign at the Triple-A level and settled for a minor-league deal with the Rockies this winter upon reaching free agency. Hiura hit just .167 and struck out in nine of his 18 at-bats in Cactus League play, so his dismissal from big-league camp comes as little surprise. He's expected to open the season at Triple-A Albuquerque.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday that he expects Freeman (rib) to play in the upcoming Freeway Series against the Angels, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Freeman lobbied to play in the second game of the Tokyo Series, but the team decided it was best to take the cautious route, per David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports. Freeman was said to be feeling "much better than [Tuesday]," when he had to be scratched from the lineup for the season opener. Roberts wouldn't commit to Freeman playing in the exhibition series against the Angels, but it sounds like the team is cautiously optimistic the first baseman will be able to return to action and log at least a few reps ahead of the March 27 domestic opener against the Tigers.

Freeman (rib) is not in the lineup for the second game of the Tokyo Series against the Cubs on Wednesday.

A late scratch from the starting nine for the season opener, Freeman estimated his chances of playing in the series finale at 75 percent when speaking to the media after Tuesday's game. However, he will be held out of the lineup yet again. Freeman said the discomfort is in the same spot where he tore rib cartilage during the postseason last fall, and while he said the soreness is less severe this time, it's possible he will require addition testing once the Dodgers return home to Los Angeles.