MLB Player News
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Josh Rojas 3B | CHW
White Sox's Josh Rojas: Projected to start at second base
Rojas is expected to begin the regular season as the White Sox's second baseman, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.
Rojas joined the White Sox this winter and is one of the few established veterans who is projected to be on the Opening Day roster. While he's played the majority of his career at third base, he's also been roughly an average defensive second baseman. Rojas has also had a decent spring at the plate, maintaining a .304 batting average with two extra-base hits and two stolen bases across 23 at-bats.
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Michael Massey 2B | KC
Royals' Michael Massey: Getting time at multiple positions
Massey has been playing left field this spring in addition to second base, but he is likely to split time at second base with Jonathan India, MLB.com reports. Massey is hitting .385 (10-for-26) this spring.
India should be Kansas City's everyday leadoff hitter but could play several different positions. Massey should sit against most left-handed pitchers, and it's unclear if or when he'll play the outfield. That said, the added versatility can only help him stay in the lineup.
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Jace Jung 2B | DET
Tigers' Jace Jung: Hits first spring home run
Jung went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta.
Jung has been struggling this spring, as he entered Tuesday's contest just 3-for-22 with no home runs, but he showed a little spark in this one. Despite his slump, the 24-year-old is in a good position to serve as Detroit's Opening Day third baseman with Matt Vierling (shoulder) currently on the shelf. Jung batted .241 with a .666 OPS and no long balls across 34 games during his MLB debut in 2024, but he has the talent to improve on those numbers in his first full season in the majors.
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Christian Moore 2B | LAA
Angels' Christian Moore: Chance to start Opening Day
Moore might be the Opening Day second baseman for the Angels if Luis Rengifo (hamstring) isn't ready, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
Moore put up a .911 OPS with five home runs across 98 plate appearances in 23 games for Double-A Rocket City in 2024. The 22-year-old has not flashed his power during his first spring training as he tries to earn a bench spot with the Angels, but he is slashing .281/.395/.344. The eighth overall pick of the 2024 draft has been seeing game action at second base in camp while also seeing work at third on the side. The young prospect has a chance to make the jump from Double-A Rocket City to Opening Day starter for the Angels with manager Ron Washington being unsure whether Rengifo will be ready in time, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
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Brandon Lowe 2B | PIT
Rays' Brandon Lowe: Homers in consecutive games
Lowe went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Monday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta.
The wind aided Lowe, but he managed to take Chris Sale yard in the third inning. The performance was notable because it was a homer off of one of the best left-handed pitchers in the league and because it was his second consecutive game with a long ball. Even on a platoon-heavy team, Lowe projects to be the Rays' everyday second baseman while occupying a premium spot in the lineup.
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Zack Gelof 2B | ATH
Athletics' Zack Gelof: Working on new batting stance
Gelof has been working on a new batting stance this spring, which appears to be paying off as he's hitting .304 (7-for-23) with a home run, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports. "You're always working," Gelof said. "There was definitely a change that needed to be addressed. I'm just doing the best of my ability to address it and be a better player because of it."
After breaking out to the tune of 14 homers and 14 steals in just 69 games as a rookie, Gelof took a step back last season with a 34.4 percent strikeout rate and just a .632 OPS. Despite his success this spring, he has a concerning 12 strikeouts. His 25 stolen bases were helpful for fantasy teams last year but came with a .211 batting average. Gelof is locked in as the starting second baseman to begin the season.
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Max Schuemann 2B | ATH
Athletics' Max Schuemann: Looks set for utility role
Schuemann appears likely to win a roster spot in a utility role with the A's, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports. He's hitting .227 (5-for-22) in nine games this spring.
Schuemann made his big-league debut in 2024 with the A's and posted a .220/.311/.308 slash line with seven home runs and 14 steals in 133 games. He saw most of his playing time at shortstop, but Jacob Wilson appears set as the starting shortstop. Schuemann could be good source of speed (14 steals last season) if he finds significant playing time.
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Edouard Julien 2B | MIN
Twins' Edouard Julien: Trending toward making roster
Julien appears to likely to win a spot on the major league roster even with Brooks Lee having a strong spring, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports. Julien is hitting .273 (6-for-22) with a home run and three walks in eight games this spring.
Julien is competing with Lee for the starting second base job with Willi Castro also likely to get time at the position. Julien could also get time at first base as well. Julien has struggled in the field this spring (two errors at 2B, one at 1B), however. At this point it's still not clear what the Twins plan to do at second base, but Julien remains in the mix to win a roster spot and could still find playing time against right-handed pitching.
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Luis Rengifo 3B | LAA
Angels' Luis Rengifo: Goes through on-field drills Monday
Rengifo (hamstring) participated in on-field drills Monday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
The extensiveness of the workout isn't clear, nor is Rengifo's effort level while going through drills, but that he worked out at all seems like a good sign after Angels manager Ron Washington said Sunday that the club would "back off" the switch hitter as he deals with a hamstring problem. The Angels have not yet ruled Rengifo out for Opening Day, but he has played just one game so far this spring.
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Luis Rengifo 3B | LAA
Angels' Luis Rengifo: Status for Opening Day in question
Manager Ron Washington said Sunday that the club will "back off" Rengifo due to his hamstring injury, and he may not be ready for Opening Day, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
The 27-year-old downplayed the hamstring issue as a cramp after he was scratched from the lineup last Monday, but the injury appears to be a bit more problematic after he was scratched again Saturday. Rengifo has seen action in just one Cactus League game so far, leaving him just two and a half weeks to get right before Opening Day against the White Sox on March 27.