MLB Player News

Hoerner (forearm) is expected to be available for the Cubs' domestic season opener Thursday in Arizona, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Despite missing most of the spring training slate as well as the Cubs' two-game, season-opening set versus the Dodgers in Tokyo earlier this month, Hoerner looks as though he'll be able to avoid a stint on the injured list. He'll start at second base most days when available, though he can also give Dansby Swanson an occasional break at shortstop. Hoerner is likely to bat near the bottom of Chicago's lineup, unless he supplants Ian Happ as the leadoff hitter at any point. Hoerner's key fantasy asset is his speed, as he recorded a total of 74 stolen bases over the past two seasons, and he should run plenty no matter where he slots into the batting order.

Donovan will start at shortstop for the Cardinals when Masyn Winn has a day off, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Winn's off days will be few and far between, but since the Cardinals aren't carrying a traditional backup shortstop on the roster, Donovan is poised for some reps there. Donovan does have some limited experience at shortstop, having made seven starts there in his career but just one over the last two seasons. It opens up the possibility of Donovan gaining additional position eligibility in fantasy. He will enter the season with eligibility at second base and the outfield and could add shortstop and third base to the list.

Gorman's playing time could be reduced as a result of Victor Scott being named the Cardinals' starting center fielder, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

With the club committing to Scott in center field, that means Lars Nootbaar will primarily play left field and Brendan Donovan will receive the bulk of his starts at second base. That leaves the designed hitter spot for Gorman, but it sounds like Alec Burleson will be the priority there. Gorman should still see some starts versus right-handed pitching, but he will not be in the lineup regularly. The 24-year-old finished with a .671 OPS and 37.6 percent strikeout rate last season and has a .553 OPS this spring.

Gorman (illness) is starting at second base and batting fifth in Sunday's spring game against the Nationals, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Gorman has been battling an illness the past few days but will return to the lineup for the Cardinals' final Grapefruit League game. He's expected to see regular at-bats against right-handed pitching this year, though he's struggled to a .585 OPS across 17 games during spring training.

The Cardinals optioned Fermin to Triple-A Memphis on Sunday.

It was reported Friday that Fermin had made St. Louis' Opening Day roster as a utility player, but he'll end up beginning the campaign at Triple-A. The 25-year-old could be up in the majors when the Cardinals need some infield depth.

Norby is experiencing soreness in his left oblique and will undergo medical imaging Sunday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

The 24-year-old exited Saturday's Grapefruit League game with the injury, putting his availability for Opening Day in jeopardy. Even if Norby has avoided a serious injury, the proximity to the start of the season could mean he's not ready for Thursday's series opener versus Pittsburgh.

Yorke was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Yorke looked to have a good chance to crack the Opening Day roster, particularly with Spencer Horwitz (wrist) sidelined. However, he collected only seven hits -- two of which went for extra bases -- across 34 at-bats in Grapefruit League action and will begin the season in the minors. Yorke should be in consideration for a promotion in the case of an injury or poor performance for a regular in Pittsburgh's lineup, so there's still a chance he can make an impact this season.

Turang (shoulder) was able to resume throwing Saturday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Turang began dealing with shoulder fatigue in mid-March and was unable to throw Monday when he first attempted to return to baseball activity. Given that, Saturday's progress is significant and indicates that Turang could be available come Opening Day.

Freeman was traded from the Guardians to the Rockies on Saturday in exchange for Nolan Jones, SI.com reports.

Freeman was in competition for playing time at second base with Cleveland this spring and maintained an impressive 1.080 OPS across 39 at-bats -- including eight extra-base hits. He's struggled to turn his contact-heavy approach at the plate into meaningful big-league production in partial playing time across the last three campaigns, but playing at Coors Field could help him turn a corner. Freeman should get regular run at second base to begin the 2025 season with Thairo Estrada (wrist) sidelined, and he could also fill a small-side platoon in left field.

Norby exited Saturday's Grapefruit League game due to left side discomfort, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

Norby was sliding into third base in the second inning and stretched awkwardly as he tried to stay on the bag. There's no indication of the severity of the issue, though a stint on the injured list to begin the season is seemingly a possibility.