MLB Player News
-
Luis Rengifo 3B | LAA
Angels' Luis Rengifo: Scratched from Saturday's lineup
Rengifo was scratched from Saturday's Cactus League game against the Brewers due to hamstring tightness, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Rengifo was removed from Monday's lineup due to the same issue, and it appears he needs more time to recover from the injury after initially being slated to return Saturday. The Angels will likely take a cautious approach to Rengifo's rehab, but to this point there has been nothing to suggest he's in jeopardy of missing the start of the regular season. Christian Moore will take over for Rengifo at second base for Saturday's game.
-
Kristian Campbell 2B | BOS
Red Sox's Kristian Campbell: Preps with outfielders
Campbell worked with the outfielders during Friday's pregame work instead of the infielders, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports. Per the daily schedule posted in the locker room, Campbell was supposed to be working with infielders.
This follows a recent trend of Campbell playing the outfield. He opened camp getting work at second base, but Campbell's last four starts have come in left field. This spring, he's played 21 innings in left field and 20 at second base. This shift to the outfield coincides with the possibility that Wilyer Abreu (illness) may not be ready for Opening Day. Boston manager Alex Cora initially said Campbell getting reps in the outfield was a way to give at-bats to all the players competing for second base, but the coach later added context. "I think actually with everything that is going on, him getting reps in the outfield helps," Cora said. Another prospect, Roman Anthony, is expected to resume baseball activities Saturday following an illness, and he might be the more logical replacement for Abreu.
-
Daniel Schneemann 2B | CLE
Guardians' Daniel Schneemann: Clubs second spring homer
Schneemann started at shortstop and went 2-for-3 with a home run, three RBI and an additional run scored in Friday's spring game against the Athletics.
Schneemann clubbed his second home run of the Cactus League. He's seen time at shortstop, third base and center field during the spring season, putting him in position for super-utility duty if his lefty bat holds up against righties. Schneemann slashed .191/.276/.333 against them in 2024.
-
Luis Rengifo 3B | LAA
Angels' Luis Rengifo: In Saturday's lineup
Rengifo (hamstring) will start at second base and bat sixth in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Brewers, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Hamstring cramps have kept Rengifo sidelined since Monday, but he's fully recovered and is now set to make his second start of the spring. The 28-year-old projects as the Angels' Opening Day second baseman, though he may not settle in at just one position for the entire season.
-
Davis Schneider 2B | TOR
Blue Jays' Davis Schneider: Belts first homer of spring
Schneider went 2-for-2 with a walk, a home run and two RBI in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox.
He went back-to-back with Ernie Clement in the second inning off Cooper Criswell. It was Schneider's first long ball of the spring, but he's been locked in at the plate in camp when given an opportunity, going 5-for-13 with a 7:4 BB:K in 20 plate appearances. The 26-year-old doesn't have a clear starting spot in the lineup after managing a mediocre .625 OPS with a 31.7 percent strikeout rate in 2024, and he'll have trouble repeating his 454 PAs following the offseason additions of players like Anthony Santander and Andres Gimenez. Schneider's best path to playing time this season could come as a short-side platoon option in left field and at second base.
-
Jordan Westburg 2B | BAL
Orioles' Jordan Westburg: Returns to lineup Thursday
Westburg (back) will start at second base and bat fifth in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.
It's the first game action Westburg has seen since the Orioles' spring opener, as he has been dealing with lower-back soreness caused by a mattress he was sleeping on being too soft. Most of Westburg's playing time this season is expected to come at third base, but he's getting the start at second base in this one.
-
Scott Kingery 2B | LAA
Angels' Scott Kingery: Candidate to open as starting SS
Kingery is among a group of infielders vying to begin the regular season as the Angels' starter at shortstop while Zach Neto continues his recovery from offseason shoulder surgery, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
Kingery didn't play in the majors last season, but he had a good campaign at the Triple-A level, slashing .273/.321/.505 with 27 homers, 70 RBI, 76 runs and 26 stolen bases. The Angels acquired the 2015 second-round draft pick in a trade with Philadelphia in November, and he was added to the team's 40-man roster a few days later. Kingery has struggled during his previous stints in the majors; he has a .667 OPS and 28.4 percent strikeout rate over 1,127 career regular-season plate appearances. Punchouts have been a problem for him this spring as well, as he's fanned seven times in 19 at-bats. Kevin Newman and Tim Anderson are other candidates to hold down the fort at shortstop until Neto is able to return to action, with Newman described by Bollinger as having a "leg up" among the group for the role.
-
Cooper Kinney 2B | TB
Rays' Cooper Kinney: Looks healthy for spring
Kinney (shoulder) is listed as an available bench player for Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Kinney's inclusion on the lineup card is an indication that he's back to full health after finishing the 2024 season on High-A Bowling Green's injured list due to a right shoulder issue. Before being shut down with the injury, the 22-year-old infielder slashed .289/.352/.494 with 10 home runs and six stolen bases across 361 plate appearances with Bowling Green.
-
Gleyber Torres 2B | DET
Tigers' Gleyber Torres: Hits first spring home run
Torres went 1-for-3 with a walk, a solo home run and two total runs scored in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.
Torres is off to a bit of a slow spring start with a .182 batting average through five appearances, but he is at least on the board with a home run. Even if he scuffles throughout Grapefruit League play, the 28-year-old will fill a key role with the Tigers and see regular playing time at second base.
-
Mauricio Dubon 2B | ATL
Astros' Mauricio Dubon: Projected starting second baseman
Dubon is expected to serve as the Astros' starting second baseman to begin the 2025 season, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
The Astros appear serious about playing Jose Altuve in left field, leaving a void at second base. Dubon remains best positioned to take advantage of that, though he has struggled significantly in spring training by failing to pick up a hit in 12 at-bats while striking out four times. McTaggart also noted Brendan Rodgers, Luis Guillorme and Zack Short as potential depth options at second base.