MLB Player News
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Brendan Donovan 2B | SEA
Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: Set for outfield reps
Donovan is expected to get some playing time in the outfield next week, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
Donovan was limited to second base early in camp, but manager Oliver Marmol is loosening the reins on his super-utility player. Once the season starts, it's unlikely Donovan will need to play right field much, but he could be valuable cover in left field, as Lars Nootbaar (ribs) is likely to miss time at the start of 2024. Donovan is still projected to see most of his playing time at second base this season, but his versatility gives Marmol options when constructing his lineup on a daily basis.
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Joseph Ortiz 2B | MIL
Brewers' Joey Ortiz: Getting work at several spots
Ortiz is 4-for-16 (.250) with a home run, a double, four RBI, two runs, a steal and a 2:4 BB:K through six games this spring.
Ortiz has fared well at the plate during the exhibition season, as after six appearances he owns an .833 OPS. The Brewers -- who acquired Ortiz as part of the Corbin Burnes deal -- are evaluating where he fits best, as he has already seen action at the three infield spots left of first base. Ortiz will be blocked at his natural position of shortstop as long as Willy Adames is around, but he is firmly in the mix for a role at both second and third base.
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Jonathan India 2B | KC
Reds' Jonathan India: Makes spring debut
India started at first base and went 0-for-2 with a walk before rain canceled Friday's spring game against the Dodgers. He flawlessly handled all chances in the field.
India's spring was delayed by a foot injury that plagued him in 2023. He's shifting from second base to a utility role this season, which will impact his fantasy value. The position versatility is helpful, but a consistent path to at-bats is not guaranteed. The latter changed Friday when MLB suspended Noelvi Marte, who was the projected starter at third base, 80 games for violating the drug prevention and treatment program. That paves the way for India, Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Jeimer Candelario to get regular opportunities between first base, third base and designated hitter.
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Tommy Edman 2B | LAD
Cardinals' Tommy Edman: Doubtful for Opening Day
Cardinals GM John Mozeliak said Friday it's doubtful Edman (wrist) will be ready to play by Opening Day, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Edman recently resumed playing catch and hitting off a tee but apparently isn't close to game ready as he returns from offseason wrist surgery. A stint on the injured list to begin the season seems likely, and it's now a question of how much time he'll miss.
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Jeff McNeil 2B | ATH
Mets' Jeff McNeil: Will resume hitting Saturday
McNeil (biceps) will begin swinging a bat again Saturday, The New York Post reports.
The 31-year-old is expected to play defense in a minor-league game Friday, per MLB.com, but he won't hit. McNeil has yet to see any Grapefruit League action this spring, as he's been brought along slowly due to a partial ligament tear in his left elbow, and the Mets' caution was justified when he reported bicep soreness in the same arm earlier this week. If McNeil ends up not being ready for Opening Day, the team could turn to a platoon of Joey Wendle and Zack Short at second base.
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Luis Garcia 2B | WAS
Nationals' Luis Garcia: Clubs first spring homer
Garcia went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins.
The second baseman took Jesus Luzardo deep in the third inning, the first of three Nats homers off the southpaw and Garcia's first long ball of the spring. The 23-year-old has had a sluggish start to camp, going 2-for-17 with five strikeouts against zero walks, but the team doesn't have an obvious alternative for him at the keystone and seems willing to give him at least one more chance to establish himself as CJ Abrams' long-term double-play partner.
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Luis Guillorme 3B | HOU
Braves' Luis Guillorme: Taking batting practice
Guillorme (quad) took on-field batting practice Thursday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
Guillorme has been dealing with a sore quad lately but is now able to re-incorporate some baseball activities. The hope is that he will be ready to return to Grapefruit League play soon.
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Nico Hoerner 2B | CHC
Cubs' Nico Hoerner: Off to slow spring start
Hoerner went 0-for-3 with a strikeout in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Angels and is now batting just .188 this spring.
Hoerner has gone 3-for-16 with five strikeouts across six Cactus League contests, but he should still be locked in as the Cubs' leadoff hitter heading into the season. The infielder has batted .280 or better each of the last three years, and he also chipped in a career-best 43 stolen bases in 2023. With some strong hitters behind him, Hoerner should once again be an effective tablesetter for Chicago, with his fantasy value likely coming from steals and runs scored.
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Rodolfo Castro 2B | PHI
Phillies' Rodolfo Castro: Base knock Tuesday
Castro went 1-for-2 in Philadelphia's 3-2 loss to Baltimore on Tuesday.
Castro has tallied 16 plate appearances in eight spring training games to date as it's clear the team wants to give the infielder every opportunity to make the Opening Day roster. While he has accumulated considerable experience over three seasons in the majors, Castro's high strikeout rate limits his offensive potential. If Castro makes the roster, he figures to be positioned as the team's rotational utility infielder.
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Tucupita Marcano 2B | SD
Padres' Tucupita Marcano: Takes part in live BP
Marcano (knee) took live at-bats against Joe Musgrove on Saturday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Marcano's ability to face live pitching marks an important milestone in his recovery from the ACL repair surgery he underwent last August, but the 24-year-old utility man is still sporting a brace on his right knee and has yet to be cleared for running. He's likely to open the 2024 season on the 10-day injured list and will presumably require an extended minor-league rehab assignment before being activated.