MLB Player News

Marte (eye) took live batting practice Saturday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

After two consecutive days of batting in a cage, Saturday's session was Marte's first against live pitching since camp started. He's expected to make his spring game-action debut this week.

Estrada's X-ray's have come back negative following a hit by pitch to his forearm on Saturday, reports Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.

Estrada was forced from the game in the top of the second inning after the hit by pitch. The infielder's status should remain day-to-day, as the negative X-ray indicates he's not in store for a long-term absence.

Rodgers' late scratch from Saturday's Cactus League lineup was due to back tightness and was deemed a precautionary move, reports Thomas Harding of MLB.com.

Rockies manager Bud Black confirmed the move as precautionary following Saturday's game. Rodgers should be available to return in the near future, possibly as soon as Sunday's game against the White Sox.

Estrada was removed from Saturday's Cactus League game against the Rockies after being hit by a pitch on his forearm in the top of the second inning, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Estrada will undergo an X-ray as a precautionary measure following his early departure, but he didn't sound too concerned about the severity of the injury. While the results of his examination should provide a better idea of his status, he should be considered day-to-day for now.

Urias will undergo tests on his left quad after exiting Saturday's game against the Rangers, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Urias suffered the injury while running the bases and left with a team trainer. The severity of the injury should become clear once the results of his tests are known. If he's forced to hit the injured list, Jace Peterson could see extra at-bats in the Brewers' infield early in the season.

Urias was removed from Saturday's Cactus League game against the Rangers in the top of the third inning with an apparent injury, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Urias was advancing from first base on a Pedro Severino double in the top of the third, but he pulled up as he rolled into third base despite being waved home. The exact nature of Urias' injury isn't yet clear, and it's not yet known whether the issue will force him to miss time this spring.

Rodgers was scratched from the lineup for Saturday's Cactus League game against the Giants for an unspecified reason, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Scratches from spring lineups aren't always due to injuries, so it's not yet clear whether Rodgers is hurt or whether he'll be available off the bench. Alan Trejo will enter the lineup at second base and bat seventh.

Marte (eye) should be a full participant by Monday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Marte took swings in the batting cage for a second consecutive day Friday then was informed by the eye doctor that he'd be a full go next week. Marte has been dealing with eye irritation that prevented him from participating in any workouts since camp began.

Garcia could wind up beginning the season at Triple-A if he doesn't prove to manager Dave Martinez he's ready for an everyday role, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

Prior to Friday's spring-training opener against the Marlins, Martinez indicated that he viewed veteran Alcides Escobar as his starting shortstop, not Garcia. "I want to make sure that Luis, when he's in the big leagues, that he's going to stay," Martinez said. "I really don't want him to platoon; I want him to play every day. And he did a lot better last year against left-handed pitching, which was good, so I want to see him consistently do the little things every day." The 21-year-old Garcia was assumed to be the replacement for Trea Turner at short as the Nationals re-tool around younger players who can grow along with Juan Soto, so Martinez's statement could be seen simply as a way to motivate the youngster at the beginning of camp. On the other hand, Garcia's .242/.275/.411 slash line in 70 big-league games last season does suggest he still has plenty to learn at the plate, even if a return to Triple-A seems unnecessary after he posted a .303/.371/.599 line with 13 homers in 37 games for Rochester in 2021.

Marte (eye) did not participate in workouts Thursday but did take swings in the batting cage, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

The batting-cage activity represents progress for Marte, who is still bothered by irritation in his left eye. He has yet to participate in a workout since the truncated spring training began earlier this week, but Marte is expected to be a full go soon, per Steve Gilbert of MLB.com.