MLB Player News

Vargas (finger) told reporters Wednesday that he has started taking batting practice, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Vargas has been cleared to take BP, but hasn't been told when he'll be able to start swinging in games. The infielder suffered a hairline fracture in his right pinkie at the start of camp, but he's been able to play defense, and the fact he's already taking swings is a positive sign. Assuming there are no setbacks, Vargas should be ready for the start of the regular season.

Rodgers left Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Rangers due to a dislocated left shoulder, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Rockies manager Bud Black told reporters after the game that they had to pop Rodgers' shoulder back into place. The injury occured when the infielder was diving for a baseball, and a trainer had to help steady him as he exited. Rodgers will likely need to undergo further testing to see the severity of the injury, and there should be further updates before Wednesday.

Mendick (knee) is expected to begin playing in Grapefruit League games within the next week, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Mendick has been eased into action this spring after he suffered both a fractured fibula and a torn ACL in his right leg last June. The plan calls for him to get a lot of action at a lot of different spots once Mets camp thins out for the World Baseball Classic. The 29-year-old super-utilityman signed a one-year, $1 million contract with New York in December.

Lux also suffered a sprained LCL on top of his torn ACL, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

There was some belief that Lux had torn his LCL, but imaging revealed just a sprain. Unfortunately, the torn ACL suffered by the 25-year-old will keep Lux out for all of the 2023 season, as he will undergo surgery performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache on March 7 in Los Angeles. Miguel Rojas and Chris Taylor are expected to get the majority of the reps at shortstop with Lux out.

Rodgers left Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Rangers due to an apparent injury, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

Rodgers got banged up as he was diving for a ball on the infield. A trainer had to steady him once he finally rose to his feet, but there's no word yet on the exact nature of the injury. Rodgers did ultimately walk off under his own power, though the trainer was sticking close at his side.

Donovan clubbed a two-run homer and added an RBI single Monday versus the Mets in Grapefruit League action.

It's the second home run in three spring training games for Donovan, who hit just five long balls in 126 contests for the Cardinals in his rookie season. Donovan is standing more upright at the plate this spring and, as manager Oli Marmol noted on Monday's ESPN broadcast, is making more of an effort to pull the ball in the air. He's also switched to a puck-style bat knob. It's worth tracking to see whether Donovan's newfound pop can be sustained while not taking away from his excellent plate skills.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed Tuesday that Lux has been diagnosed with a torn ACL in his right knee and is likely out for the season, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The 25-year-old was set to take over as the Dodgers' everyday shortstop in 2023, but he won't get the opportunity to play a single regular-season game after his leg gave out as he was running the bases in a Cactus League game Monday against the Padres. He also has some damage to his right LCL and will require a full surgical repair, which is already scheduled for March 7 in Los Angeles, per Harris. Miguel Rojas, acquired from the Marlins in January, currently looks like the best bet to fill the vacancy at shortstop for the reigning NL West champs. Utility man Chris Taylor could also see some action at the position.

Lux's right knee injury is "bad," a source told Buster Olney of ESPN. The injury is expected to keep the infielder sidelined for a long time.

The Dodgers have yet to reveal the results of the MRI performed on Lux's knee, but it doesn't sound like the news will be good. Lux injured his knee during Cactus League play Monday on a slide into third base and had to be carted off the field. We should find out more about the 25-year-old later Tuesday. Miguel Rojas figures to take over at shortstop while Lux is on the shelf.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters that Lux is currently undergoing an MRI on his right knee, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Roberts also confirmed that the injury was to his knee, and not to his ankle or another part of his lower body. The injury occurred on Monday in the sixth inning against the Padres while he was sliding into third base, and he was unable to place any weight on his leg before being carted off the field. Roberts also mentioned that the infielder "heard something pop," before the exit. It seems very likely that Lux is going to miss time, but there likely won't be an update on Lux until after the results of the imaging are checked by the club.

Lux suffered an apparent right knee or lower leg injury in the sixth inning of Monday's Cactus League game against the Padres and was carted off the field, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Lux wasn't able to put any weight on his foot and required assistance just to get on the cart after he sustained the injury while trying to avoid a throw across the diamond as he slid into third base. The Dodgers will likely provide an update on Lux's condition later Monday, and a clearer diagnosis of the injury should be available in the next day or two once he receives X-rays and/or an MRI. Given how the injury looked, Lux could be in danger of missing time to begin the season.