MLB Player News
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Luisangel Acuna 2B | CHW
Mets' Luisangel Acuna: Exits after HBP
Acuna was removed from Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays after getting hit in the left arm by a pitch, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Acuna was able to run for himself after getting plunked in the top of the second frame and even stole second base before being replaced in the field prior to the next half-inning. His removal may have been precautionary based on his ability to stay in the game immediately after the incident, but the Mets will likely provide more details after the game.
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Brice Turang 2B | MIL
Brewers' Brice Turang: Retains key lineup spot
Turang went 1-for-3 with a stolen base in Thursday's Cactus League game against the Royals.
Turang has just one base knock through four exhibition appearances, but more importantly, he has hit leadoff or second in all four. When the regular season gets underway, chances are that Turang -- who stole 50 bases and won his first Gold Glove last season -- will regularly occupy one of those spots against right-handed pitching while hitting lower in the order against southpaws.
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Hye Seong Kim 2B | LAD
Dodgers' Hyeseong Kim: Getting used to revamped swing
The Dodgers have "completely revamped" Kim's swing this spring, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports, with Kim saying the swing is "20, 30 percent to where I want it to be."
The Dodgers want to emphasize Kim's superb contact ability but also believe he has more power to tap into than he showed during his time in the Korea Baseball Organization. While a new swing could potentially unlock more upside in his bat, it is a work in progress and seemingly increases the chances he could begin the season in the minors, something manager Dave Roberts conceded earlier this week is a possibility. Kim is 1-for-12 with a 5:2 K:BB in his first five Cactus League games. If he does begin the year in the minors, it could lead to the Dodgers deploying Tommy Edman at second base and Andy Pages in center field.
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Thairo Estrada 2B | BAL
Rockies' Thairo Estrada: Good start with new club
Estrada has gone 7-for-12 with a stolen base and five RBI across four Cactus League games.
Estrada had a disappointing 2024 season with the Giants, during which he maintained just a .590 OPS across 381 plate appearances. He was waived in late August but found a new home with Colorado this offseason and is expected to serve as the team's primary second baseman. Estrada has hit well to begin spring training, though it is worth noting that none of his seven knocks have gone for extra bases.
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Vidal Brujan 2B | NYM
Cubs' Vidal Brujan: Potential injury replacement
With Nico Hoerner (forearm) set to miss the Cubs' two-game, season-opening series in Tokyo, Brujan is an option to see more time at second base, Jesse Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Brujan and Jon Berti are both options to fill in for Hoerner, who is recovering from October flexor tendon surgery. The Cubs play the Dodgers in Tokyo on March 18 and 19, then head back to the United States to resume regular season play later in the month. Hoerner may be ready by that time, which would push Brujan and Berti back to bench roles.
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Nico Hoerner 2B | CHC
Cubs' Nico Hoerner: Set to miss season-opening series
Hoerner (forearm) won't travel with the Cubs to Japan for the team's two-game, season-opening series versus the Dodgers on March 18 and 19 and will instead remain in Arizona to continue his rehab, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.
Though manager Craig Counsell said earlier in spring training that Hoerner was bouncing back well in his recovery from October surgery to repair the flexor tendon in his right forearm, the 27-year-old has yet to be cleared for Cactus League action. Per MLB.com, Hoerner is continuing to hit in the batting cage and working through a throwing program, but he's not on track to be ready to play in Japan in three weeks. The Cubs could turn to Jon Berti or Vidal Brujan to hold down the fort at second base in the two-game series against the Dodgers, but Hoerner may still have a chance at being ready to go for the team's domestic season opener March 27 versus the Diamondbacks.
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Oliver Dunn 2B | CHW
Brewers' Oliver Dunn: Healthy for spring training
Dunn (back) will start at third base and bat cleanup in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks.
After a standout performance last spring, Dunn secured a spot on the Brewers' Opening Day roster. He slashed .221/.282./316 with one home run and three stolen bases in 104 plate appearances for Milwaukee, but he didn't see any action after mid-June due to a disc issue in his back. The 27-year-old seems to be back to full health again following a lengthy layoff, and he's already off to another hot start this spring, going 4-for-9 with a home run, a walk and two stolen bases through his first three spring games. Dunn is once again competing for a utility infield role with the Brewers, though he could be in the mix for a strong-side platoon role at third base if Milwaukee opts not to carry infield prospect Caleb Durbin on its Opening Day roster.
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Donovan Walton 2B | LAA
Mets' Donovan Walton: Door open for bench job
Walton could make the Opening Day roster with Nick Madrigal (shoulder) set to begin the season on the 60-day IL, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
The Mets need a backup shortstop behind Francisco Lindor, and Walton is the best defensive option the team has in camp for the job. The 30-year-old has received 205 big-league plate appearances over five seasons split between the Mariners and Giants but managed just a .532 OPS, although his minor-league offensive numbers do offer some hope he could contribute with his bat as well -- Walton slashed .303/.377/.438 over 99 games for Triple-A Sacramento in 2024. The Mets would need to find room on the 40-man roster for Walton if they want to bring him north, and if Brett Baty proves in camp that he can play an adequate shortstop, he might get the first chance to fill the team's open bench spot.
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Vidal Brujan 2B | NYM
Cubs' Vidal Brujan: Hits first spring home run
Brujan went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks.
Brujan connected for his first home run of the spring in the fifth inning and also split time in the field at second base and shortstop. The 27-year-old was shipped to Chicago from Miami in December, and he figures to serve in a bench role with the Cubs, giving him a limited fantasy ceiling for the time being.
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Hye Seong Kim 2B | LAD
Dodgers' Hyeseong Kim: Could open year in minors
Kim could open the year in the minors as he continues to make swing adjustments, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Kim has drawn rave reviews for his infield defense, but he was a light-hitting player even in the KBO, where his career high in homers was 11. Given the Dodgers have a bevy of strong options, they can afford to ease Kim into things against Triple-A pitching if they think he will be overmatched at the plate in the majors. Tommy Edman's versatility could allow him to play second or shortstop alongside Mookie Betts while Andy Pages potentially takes on a prominent role in the outfield.