MLB Player News

Polanco (knee) will start at designated hitter Monday against the Guardians in his Cactus League debut, Shannon Drayer of SeattleSports.com reports.

Polanco underwent surgery last October to repair the patellar tendon of his left knee. While he hasn't had any known restrictions in Mariners camp, the club has held him out of Cactus League play until now, a tactic that isn't atypical for veteran players. Polanco is slated to be the Mariners' everyday third baseman this season.

Westburg (back) took some swings in the batting cage Sunday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

The 25-year-old has been battling a sore back over the past week but has returned to light hitting and throwing over the past couple days. Assuming he's able to continue ramping up his baseball activities over the next few days, Westburg could return to game action before the end of the week.

With Matt Vierling (shoulder) set to begin the regular season on the injured list, Jung could have a clearer path to regular playing time at third base, per Joey Johnston of MLB.com.

Jung was already seemingly on top of the depth chart at the hot corner, though he was likely to work in a platoon with Vierling. However, Vierling is dealing with a strained right rotator cuff muscle and will not be ready for Opening Day, so Jung may see a larger share of the playing time in the early going. If the 24-year-old gets off to a hot start, he could lock up the role more firmly for the rest of the year.

Caballero (foot) is in the lineup for Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

After fouling a pitch off his foot Thursday, Caballero was sent for X-rays, which were negative. He is now ready to return to action, so it does not seem as though his preparations for the start of the season will be affected. Caballero led the American League in steals last season with 44, but he was also caught 16 times, and he may have a tough time repeating last season's playing time given his career .305 OBP.

The Red Sox will give Campbell every opportunity to win the starting second base job, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

In putting together his Opening Day roster projection, Cotillo has Campbell as Boston's starting second baseman, with Alex Bregman at third base and Rafael Devers at designated hitter. The top prospect 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, if he does indeed head north with the big club.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Friday that Westburg (back) had been able to do some light throwing earlier in the day, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Westburg has been held out of Grapefruit League action since the team's first game of the spring nearly a week ago due to lower-back soreness. He's feeling better though, and the Orioles expect him to be ready to return to game action soon. Westburg is in line to serve as the club's everyday third baseman this season.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Friday that Caballero (foot) is "moving around much better" and could return to Grapefruit League play Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Caballero had to depart Thursday's contest against the Tigers after fouling a ball off his left foot, but X-rays came back clean and his absence will be brief. The 28-year-old is pegged for a utility role with Tampa Bay this season.

Rengifo (wrist) will start at third base and bat leadoff Friday versus the White Sox in his Cactus League debut, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Rengifo came into camp without restrictions following last August's right wrist surgery, but the Angels elected to hold him out of game action until now. The switch hitter is playing third base in his spring debut and is likely to bounce around in a super utility role in 2025.

Caballero said after Thursday's Grapefruit League game against Detroit that X-rays on his left foot came back negative, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Caballero was forced to leave Thursday's contest after fouling a ball off his foot, but he managed to escape the incident with just a bruise and doesn't expect to miss more than a few days. Once the regular season begins, the 28-year-old is expected to work in a reserve role as an infielder and possibly a corner outfielder.

Caballero was removed from Thursday's Grapefruit League contest versus the Tigers after fouling a ball off his foot, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Teams are always overly cautious at this stage of spring training, so it's possible this is nothing to worry about. However, it's not yet clear whether Caballero might need to undergo tests. The Rays should offer an update on his condition shortly.