MLB Player News
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Michael Helman 2B | TEX
Cardinals' Michael Helman: Sent to Triple-A
The Cardinals optioned Helman to Triple-A Memphis on Sunday, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Helman went just 2-for-18 at the dish during Grapefruit League play, which likely eliminated any chance he had at breaking camp with the big club. The 28-year-old infielder reached the big leagues for the first time in 2024 as a member of the Twins, appearing in nine games for Minnesota last September.
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Ronny Mauricio 2B | NYM
Mets' Ronny Mauricio: Will miss start of 2025
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Sunday that Mauricio (knee) will not appear in any spring games, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.
Mauricio missed the entire 2024 season after undergoing ACL surgery in December of 2023 before having a cleanup procedure in August. Mendoza said back in February that Mauricio was targeting a mid-March return, but it appears the 23-year-old infielder may start the 2025 season on the injured list or in extended spring training before reporting to Triple-A Syracuse.
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Brice Turang 2B | MIL
Brewers' Brice Turang: Injury deemed not serious
Manager Pat Murphy told reporters Saturday that his decision to take Turang (shoulder) out of the lineup against the Athletics was done as a precaution, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
Medical staff had cleared Turang to play Saturday, but Murphy wanted to give the 25-year-old some additional time to recover from right shoulder fatigue. It remains to be seen whether Turang will play in Sunday's spring game against Cleveland, but he doesn't appear to be in serious jeopardy of missing Opening Day.
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Thairo Estrada 2B | BAL
Rockies' Thairo Estrada: Removed early Saturday
Estrada was pulled from Saturday's Cactus League game against the White Sox after getting hit in the head, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.
The second baseman was hit in the head by Michael Taylor's foot while tagging him out at second base in the fourth frame. Estrada was able to finish the half-inning but was replaced by a pinch hitter in the fifth. Manager Bud Black said the incident shook Estrada up quite a bit, but his removal was precautionary, and he likely won't need to miss much time.
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Brice Turang 2B | MIL
Brewers' Brice Turang: Dealing with shoulder fatigue
Turang was scratched from the lineup for Saturday's spring game against the Athletics due to right shoulder fatigue, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
Turang's removal from the lineup was said by the Brewers to be precautionary, and it doesn't appear the injury is a long-term concern. He could sit for a couple days to aid his recovery, but the issue shouldn't impact his availability for Opening Day. Turang appeared in 155 regular-season games in 2024 and slashed .254/.316/.349 with 50 stolen bases, seven home runs and 50 RBI over 619 plate appearances.
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Brice Turang 2B | MIL
Brewers' Brice Turang: Scratched from lineup
Turang was scratched from the lineup ahead of Saturday's Cactus League game against the Athletics.
It's currently unknown why Turang was removed from Milwaukee's starting nine, but the team should offer some clarity shortly. In the meantime, Cooper Pratt will take over at shortstop and bat ninth.
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Luis Arraez 2B | SF
Padres' Luis Arraez: Collects three hits in spring game
Arraez went 3-for-3 with a solo home run, an additional run and a stolen base in Friday's Cactus League win over Texas.
Arraez is swinging a hot bat this spring, batting .433 over 30 at-bats. He did a couple things Friday that are out of the norm for him, as he both hit a homer and stole a base. Arraez had just four long balls and nine thefts over 672 regular-season plate appearances last year, which are reasons why he's often taken outside of the top 150 in fantasy drafts. That said, Arraez is as dependable as it gets when it comes to providing elite batting average, as evidenced by his run of three consecutive batting titles.
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Ozzie Albies 2B | ATL
Braves' Ozzie Albies: Quiet spring continues
Albies went 0-for-3 in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals.
The switch-hitting second baseman has been getting his work in this spring, and while Albies hasn't had much luck at the plate, he also hasn't raised any alarms with his play. Through 26 plate appearances, he's gone 4-for-24 with a double as his only extra-base hit and a 2:6 BB:K. Albies is locked into his starting job at the keystone and a prime spot in Atlanta's batting order.
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Jose Fermin 2B | STL
Cardinals' Jose Fermin: Eyeing final bench spot
The Cardinals' final bench spot will likely come down to Fermin or Jose Barrero, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
Fermin already has a spot on the 40-man roster, whereas Barrero is in camp as a non-roster invitee. Slated to turn 26 later this month, Fermin has gone 7-for-28 with a 2:5 K:BB over 14 contests this spring. While Fermin slashed .311/.424/.500 last season at Triple-A Memphis, he's managed just a .189/.283/.221 batting line in 66 games with the Cardinals over the last two seasons.
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Brendan Donovan 2B | SEA
Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: In line for super utility role
Donovan is expected to assume a super utility role this season for the Cardinals, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
Had the club been able to trade Nolan Arenado, it was prepared to play Nolan Gorman at third base and give Donovan the lion's share of reps at second base. The keystone might still be where Donovan plays most, but Gorman will also receive starts there, with Donovan seeing plenty of action in left field, as well, particularly on days Lars Nootbaar plays center field. Donovan is also capable of handling third base, first base and shortstop.