MLB Player News

Alu was optioned to Triple-A Rochester by the Nationals on Friday.

Alu was added to the Nats' 40-man roster this offseason and has impressed this camp with his versatility. The 25-year-old has a good shot to debut at some point in 2023 but will get a little more seasoning first.

India has been hitting first or second most of the time in spring training so far and appears likely to hit there in the regular season, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. "I haven't thought about the lineup too much yet, but he has proven that he's very effective in the leadoff spot," Reds manager David Bell said this week. "He's comfortable there. I still think he can hit pretty much anywhere in the lineup. For now, for spring training since he's done it, it's definitely an option and it just gets him more at-bats."

India lost 10 pounds and prioritized becoming a 'more athletic' hitter over the offseason. Multiple injuries limited India to 103 games and 431 plate appearances last season, so any reports about better conditioning should be welcomed. India has already drawn seven walks and stolen two bases while making his case for the leadoff spot.

Vargas went 1-for-3 with a double and a strikeout in a Cactus League contest against Oakland on Thursday.

This was Vargas' seventh game of the spring, but he wasn't allowed to swing the bat in his first six after fracturing his right pinky finger while fielding a grounder early in camp. He was cleared to begin swinging in games ahead of Thursday's exhibition contest and nearly homered in his first at-bat, driving a ball to deep center field that bounced over the fence for a ground-rule double. Now that Vargas is back to playing without restrictions, there's nothing standing in his way of opening the campaign as the Dodgers' starting second baseman.

Wisely was scratched from the Giants' Cactus League lineup Thursday due to a stomach virus, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Wisely, who's had a nice spring so far, should be fine after a day or two of rest. Ford Proctor will play second base instead Thursday afternoon against the Brewers.

Vargas (finger) is hitting second in the Dodgers' Cactus League lineup Thursday against the Athletics, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

And he has been given clearance to actually swing the bat in a live game for the first time since he suffered a hairline fracture to his right pinkie finger in February. Vargas should open as the primary starting second baseman in Los Angeles if all goes smoothly from this point forward. The 23-year-old struggled in his first taste of MLB action last season but posted excellent offensive numbers throughout his rise through the minors.

Lux underwent surgery Wednesday to repair the torn ACL and LCL in his right knee, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Lux suffered both injuries when he took an awkward step while running the bases in a Cactus League game on Feb. 27. He'll spend the entire 2023 season in recovery mode, spoiling what many thought might be a breakout campaign for the 25-year-old. Miguel Rojas is expected to open as the primary shortstop for the Dodgers, with Chris Taylor also getting some reps there.

Vargas (finger) is not in the Dodgers' Cactus League lineup Wednesday night against the Mariners, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

It's just a routine bit of rest, and the expectation is that Vargas will finally be allowed to swing the bat the next time he does appear in an exhibition game. He's merely been tracking pitches so far in Cactus League play after suffering a hairline fracture in his right pinkie finger at the beginning of spring training. All signs point to the talented 23-year-old slotting in at second base for Los Angeles on Opening Day.

The Pirates acquired Mathias from the Rangers on Wednesday in exchange for a player to be named later.

Texas moved Mathias off its 40-man roster over the weekend, but the 28-year-old utility man was quickly able to find a new organization. Mathias hit well at the Triple-A level and down the stretch with Texas last season, but his track record suggests that his hot run at the plate is unlikely to carry over into 2023. He'll compete for a reserve role with the rebuilding Pirates.

Mendick (knee) will start at second base and bat third Wednesday in the Mets' exhibition game against the Nicaraguan team, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Mendick will be making his spring debut in what marks his first competitive action since he tore the ACL in his right knee and fractured the fibula in his right leg while playing for the White Sox in a June 22, 2022 game. Before suffering the season-ending injury, Mendick was productive in a utility infield role for Chicago, slashing .289/.343/.443 across 106 plate appearances. After joining the Mets on a one-year, $1 million deal over the winter, Mendick should have a good chance of securing a spot on the Opening Day roster and potentially earning a short-side platoon role at second or third base.

Wisely is gaining attention for his work in Giants camp, Maria Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Wisely was already set to get a look as a left-handed utility bat, and it appears he's been even better than initially expected. He's gone 3-for-10 with two home runs across four Cactus League games so far. He'll need to keep it up during spring games, but Wisely appears to have an edge over Isan Diaz for a bench role.