MLB Player News

Foscue started at designated hitter and went 2-for-4 with a double in Monday's spring game against the Angels.

Foscue ripped his third double of the spring and is 7-for-20 over eight Cactus League games. His 21 plate appearances this spring are second on the club, which suggests the Rangers are giving him an audition for the roster. Foscue was listed as the primary DH on the first two projected Opening Day rosters assembled by Kennedi Landry of MLB.com. There is not a clear path to playing time as a position player, partially due to his limited range and a fringy arm; therefore, DH is the best bet for Foscue. He's hit well in the upper minors and drew more walks (85) than strikeouts (70) in 2023, which suggests he could handle MLB pitching.

Drury is slashing .125/.263/.125 with an RBI and a 2:7 BB:K through 18 Cactus League plate appearances.

Both of Drury's hits so far have been singles, and he's struck out in over one-third of his plate appearances. The slow start shouldn't be a major concern, however, given his veteran status and recent regular-season consistency. Drury is coming off back-to-back solid campaigns in which he hit a combined 54 homers and drove in a combined 170 runs. He's slated for an everyday role in the Angels' infield again this season and should be among the team's primary sources of power.

Frazier has gone 1-for-10 with three walks and two strikeouts over four Cactus League games.

Frazier is doing alright with plate discipline. He is competing with Michael Massey for the starting job at second base, but neither player has stood out all that much in the first week-plus of spring games. Frazier can also provide coverage in the corner outfield, so he's likely to be on the Royals' major-league roster as at least a utility option throughout 2024. If neither Frazier nor Massey claim second base for themselves, Nick Loftin and Garrett Hampson could also be in the mix for at-bats there.

Biggio (shoulder) hit in a simulated game Sunday and has been going through full defensive drills, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Biggio has been slow-played this spring after reporting to camp with some tendinitis in his left (non-throwing) shoulder. He's progressed well, though, and while it's unclear when he might play in a Grapefruit League contest, it doesn't appear to be far off.

Gimenez has gone 1-for-11 over his first four Cactus League games.

Gimenez also has two strikeouts and no walks. The second baseman is not in danger of losing his starting role -- Gabriel Arias and Brayan Rocchio are competing for the shortstop job, and most of the other major-league ready infielders in camp are likely to be utility options. Gimenez hit an okay .251 with 15 home runs, 62 RBI, 76 runs scored and 30 stolen bases over 153 contests last year. His OPS dropped from .837 in 2022 to .713 last year, but at 25 years old, a rebound campaign is plausible.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Norby (side) will make his spring debut as a reserve in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Norby has been slowed in camp due to slight left side soreness, but the injury shouldn't be anything that prevents him from being ready to go for the start of Triple-A Norfolk's season in April. Hyde didn't say whether Norby would be deployed in the field or eased back in as a designated hitter Sunday, but the 23-year-old is likely to check into the contest in the later innings.

Ibanez went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates.

Ibanez now has two home runs and an even 1.000 OPS across six games this spring. The 30-year-old is competing for a bench spot in camp, and his strong performance so far should help his cause. Ibanez posted a .264/.312/.433 line in 114 games for the Tigers last year and gave the team plenty of defensive versatility as well. A similar role could be in store for him this season.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Saturday that Valdez is next in line at second base due to Vaughn Grissom (groin) being sidelined, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

The team is not yet ruling Grissom out for Opening Day, but it looks like a longshot that he'll be ready. A replacement from outside the organization doesn't appear to be in the cards, which leaves Valdez at the top of the pecking order and Pablo Reyes also in the mix. Valdez, 25, struggles with the glove but has some offensive promise, having slashed .266/.311/.453 with six homers and five steals over 149 plate appearances with Boston in 2023.

Massey has gone 3-for-10 over four Cactus League games.

After hitting .229 with a middling .655 OPS across 129 contests in 2023, this is a good start to the spring for Massey. The Royals had an active offseason, and the signing of Adam Frazier -- who is 0-for-6 over three spring games -- could have a negative impact on Massey's playing time, though Frazier can also be an option in the corner outfield. Utility man Nick Loftin could also poach some at-bats at the keystone, especially against left-handed pitchers, so Massey will need to continue his solid spring to avoid losing his spot.

Schneider went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a second run scored in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.

Getting the start at second base and batting third in a Blue Jays lineup that featured only one other projected Opening day starter in Daulton Varsho, Schneider took Luke Weaver deep in the fifth inning for his first long ball of the spring. The 25-year-old made a spectacular MLB debut last August before cooling down, and with Cavan Biggio (shoulder) yet to see any Grapefruit League action, Schneider is getting an opportunity to prove he's ready to be the starter at the keystone, rather than a utility player.