MLB Player News
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Zack Gelof 2B | ATH
Athletics' Zack Gelof: Hit by pitch Wednesday
Gelof was removed in the sixth inning of Wednesday's spring game against Cleveland after being struck by a pitch on his right hand, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
The 25-year-old was immediately replaced by Euribiel Angeles after being hit by a pitch thrown by Paul Sewald, and an update on Gelof's right hand will be issued by the team after the game. Gelof is looking to bounce back from a 2024 campaign in which he registered a 34.4 percent strikeout rate and .632 OPS.
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Josh Rojas 3B | CHW
White Sox's Josh Rojas: Hopes to be back on field soon
Rojas (toe) hopes to be back on the field in 3-to-4 days after working out and riding a stationary bike Wednesday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
It's not clear whether returning to a field means resuming baseball activities or playing in games. Rojas is dealing with a hairline fracture in his right big toe, but it's a pain tolerance issue so it's possible he will be able to avoid the injured list. If healthy, Rojas projects to be the White Sox's primary second baseman against right-handed pitching.
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Kristian Campbell 2B | BOS
Red Sox's Kristian Campbell: Favorite to land second base job
Campbell "appears to be the favorite" to win the Red Sox' second base job, Chris Cotillo and Sean McAdam of MassLive.com report.
Campbell has struggled for much of the Red Sox' camp, both offensively and defensively, but he has been trending in a good direction lately and looks to have leap-frogged David Hamilton and Vaughn Grissom. The top prospect has played both left field and second base this spring but has focused on the keystone lately. Campbell slashed .329/.437/.551 with 19 home runs and 24 steals over 115 games across three minor-league levels in 2024 and has a chance to be a major fantasy contributor right away.
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Romy Gonzalez 2B | BOS
Red Sox's Romy Gonzalez: Undergoing MRI on oblique
Gonzalez will undergo an MRI on Tuesday after feeling tightness in his right oblique Monday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that Gonzalez "feels like there's nothing there" but wanted to get tested as a precaution. Any injury to the oblique is cause for some concern, but at the moment, the Red Sox appear to be viewing Gonzalez as day-to-day. More will be known about Gonzalez's condition after the MRI results are in. If healthy, Gonzalez will see some starts versus lefties this season for Boston.
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Kristian Campbell 2B | BOS
Red Sox's Kristian Campbell: Has strong game
Campbell started at second base and went 1-for-3 with a walk and a double in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles.
Given recent news that Campbell is behind David Hamilton in the battle for the second-base job, it was interesting to see the prospect start along with eight definite regulars. He improved his positioning during Monday's game in what was his best all-around performance of the spring, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports. "He did a good job, made some plays," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. "He's going to get more reps there. He'll play [Tuesday in Tampa against the Yankees], too. It feels like he's getting comfortable." Cora said earlier this week that there were aspects of defense that Campbell needs to fine tune -- mostly on throws and how he receives a throw -- but his positioning was on point during Monday's contest. He's moved between the infield and outfield during the Grapefruit League season, but second base is the best path for Campbell to break camp with the team.
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Brendan Rodgers 2B | BOS
Astros' Brendan Rodgers: Making case to catch on
Rodgers has gone 8-for-28 with six strikeouts in Grapefruit League games.
Rodgers is in Houston camp on a non-roster deal and is vying for the second base job. If he can't wrestle the role from Mauricio Dubon, Rodgers could miss out on a roster spot altogether due to his lack of defensive versatility. Included in his contract is an opt-out, per Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle, so he could find work elsewhere.
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Scott Kingery 2B | CHC
Angels' Scott Kingery: Bumped from 40-man roster
Kingery was designated for assignment by the Angels on Monday.
Kingery was in the mix for the starting shortstop gig early on in camp, but he appears to have lost out on the job after being booted from the 40-man roster to make room for the acquisition of Angel Perdomo from Atlanta. Kingery would begin the 2025 season with Triple-A Salt Lake and would be a candidate for a mid-season promotion if he goes unclaimed on waivers.
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Kristian Campbell 2B | BOS
Red Sox's Kristian Campbell: Still needs work at 2B
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Campbell is still fine-tuning his defense at second base and admitted the 22-year-old prospect has struggled offensively during Cactus League play, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.
Cora talked about Campbell's need to refine ball security on transfers and how he receives the ball. The manager feels those details can be cleaned up, but it's looking like the one-time frontrunner for the second base job is losing out to David Hamilton. As for Campbell's offense, he's batting .167 (6-for-36) with 15 strikeouts this spring. If Campbell doesn't win the starting job at second, he's expected to open the 2025 season at Triple-A Worcester.
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Josh Rojas 3B | CHW
White Sox's Josh Rojas: Recovering from big toe fracture
White Sox manager Will Venable said Monday that Rojas has been diagnosed with a hairline fracture in his right big toe, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.
Rojas suffered the injury during Saturday's Cactus League game against the Rockies. Venable was unwilling to rule Rojas out for Opening Day, as the skipper described the injury as a pain-tolerance situation that the 30-year-old infielder might be able to play through. If Rojas begins the season on the injured list, the White Sox would have room on the roster for an extra infielder such as Brooks Baldwin, Bryan Ramos, Jacob Amaya or Brandon Drury.
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Andy Ibanez 2B | ATH
Tigers' Andy Ibanez: Will be short side of 3B platoon
Ibanez is slated to open the season as the Tigers' short-side platoon partner with Zach McKinstry at third base, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Jace Jung was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on Monday, setting up an uninspiring McKinstry/Ibanez platoon at the hot corner, at least until Matt Vierling (shoulder) is ready. Ibanez slashed .292/.357/.445 against left-handed pitching last season.