MLB Player News

Vargas has hit gone 4-for-11 with a double, a homer and a 4:2 BB:K across eight spring games, giving him a .364/.563/.727 batting line.

Obviously, all small-sample-size caveats apply, but Vargas has showed off both his incredible bat control and his impressive power -- and that spring homer came off Cy Young winner Shane Bieber. Nearly as importantly, the word has been that his fielding at third, previously a weakness, has improved significantly. He's blocked there by Justin Turner for now, but Turner has been injury-prone and the Dodgers will only be able to keep Vargas down for so long if he keeps hitting this way in Triple-A, where he'll probably open the season.

The Reds list Drury (knee) as an available bench option for Monday's Cactus League game against the Royals, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Drury's inclusion on the lineup card suggests that his removal from Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks upon being hit in the knee by a pitch may just have been precautionary. With several Reds infielders banged up heading into Opening Day, Drury appears to have a good chance of breaking camp with Cincinnati as a utility infielder.

Albies (general soreness) will start at second base and bat leadoff in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Albies was scratched ahead of Sunday's game against the Red Sox with general soreness, but the 25-year-old is apparently feeling well enough a day later to give it a go. Manager Brian Snitker has given all of Albies, Dansby Swanson and Eddie Rosario looks out of the leadoff role this spring, but it's unclear which of the three is on track to head into the regular season as Atlanta's table setter.

Drury was removed from Sunday's Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks in the top of the fifth inning after being hit by a pitch on his knee, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Drury has been competing for the Reds' last offensive roster spot, but he was removed from Sunday's matchup immediately after being hit by a pitch. The nature and extent of the injury aren't yet clear. Prior to his departure, he went 2-for-2 with a double, a run and an RBI.

Manager Torey Lovullo said Sunday that Rojas will be out for "weeks, not days" after being diagnosed with a Grade 2 right oblique strain, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Rojas was set to start on the left side of Arizona's infield, but he'll now be sidelined for Opening Day with the oblique strain. The 31-year-old could be sidelined for at least the first month of the campaign, though he doesn't yet have an official timeline for his return. Sergio Alcantara and Drew Ellis could see more playing time as a result of the injury.

The Cardinals optioned Donovan to Triple-A Memphis on Sunday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The 25-year-old submitted a .689 OPS over 32 at-bats during spring training and drew praise from manager Oliver Marmol for his versatility and plate approach, so it wouldn't be surprising if Donovan gets a look with the big club early on during the 2022 season. At least for the start of the campaign, however, he'll head to Memphis to play on an everyday basis.

Albies was scratched from Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox with general soreness, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Albies was penciled in to serve as the designated hitter Sunday, but he'll instead take the day off to rest up. The 25-year-old is expected to be back in the lineup for the final exhibition games of spring Monday and Tuesday, so there doesn't appear to be much concern regarding the soreness.

Drury homered Friday and has a chance to win the Reds' last offensive roster spot, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The Reds don't have an obvious candidate to begin the season as their right-handed DH, which is where Drury fits in. He has some power upside, which obviously would play well in Cincy, but he'll struggle to hit for average, if he makes the team.

Kim is slashing .300/.417/.350 with a double, an RBI, four runs and a stolen base over 24 Cactus League plate appearances.

Kim's importance to the Padres' lineup grew considerably with the news that Fernando Tatis will miss multiple months due to a wrist injury. The predominant belief has been that Kim will open the campaign as San Diego's starting shortstop, and he hasn't done anything this spring to fall out of favor. However, the emergence of prized prospect CJ Abrams -- who is hitting .333 with a pair of homers in Cactus League action -- has introduced an alternate scenario in which Abrams could be fast-tracked to the majors, in which case Abrams would likely log plenty of time at shortstop.

Lux appears to have a clearer path to an everyday role than previously expected, as Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports that the Dodgers traded AJ Pollock for Craig Kimbrel on Friday.

Prior to the trade, Lux looked like the team's 10th-best bat. That role would have still resulted in plenty of playing time, both due to the Dodgers' frequent rotations and the fact that Lux was one injury away from being part of the starting nine. A true starting role is obviously preferable, however, and it looks like he should have one now with Pollock out of the outfield picture. Lux has played some left field, though it's perhaps more likely that Chris Taylor moves out to left field while Lux starts at second base. Lux's career .233/.314/.368 slash line doesn't exactly look the part of an everyday player for a contender, but the trade seemingly demonstrates the Dodgers' faith in him, something which seems reasonable given that he was a highly touted prospect and is still just 24 years old.