MLB Player News

McNeil was scratched from the Mets' Grapefruit League lineup for Wednesday's game against the Marlins due to a left wrist issue, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports.

The Mets had listed McNeil as their left fielder and leadoff man for the exhibition contest before removing him from the lineup card a couple hours before first pitch. Per Thosar, McNeil scraped his wrist against the outfield wall in Monday's game against the Astros, so he'll sit out in what likely amounts to a precautionary measure. Rymer Liriano will take McNeil's spot in the outfield Wednesday while shortstop Amed Rosario moves to the table-setting role.

McNeil won't get reps at third base at this time despite injuries to Jed Lowrie (knee) and Todd Frazier (oblique), Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The Mets are attempting to transition McNeil to the outfield, and they want him to get as many reps as possible at his new position. He could be the top option at third base if neither Lowrie nor Frazier is ready to go by Opening Day, but their statuses remain up in the air, so McNeil won't be moved back to the infield until later in spring training, if at all.

Solarte went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI in Monday's Cactus League action against the White Sox.

Solarte mashed a solo home run in the first inning and drove in a run during the fifth on a single. It's good to see him find early success at the plate, although Solarte will need to keep up this high level of play if he hopes to nail down a roster spot to begin the 2019 campaign.

Dubon will man second base and hit eighth Saturday in the Brewers' exhibition opener Saturday versus the Cubs.

The starting assignment marks Dubon's first competitive action since May 5, when he suffered a torn ACL while playing at Triple-A Colorado Springs. The young infielder has rehabbed hard over the last nine months to enter spring at full strength and should settle into an everyday role with the Brewers' new Triple-A affiliate at San Antonio once camp draws to a close. The 24-year-old is expected to make his big-league debut at some point in 2019, though his path to a consistent at-bats in the majors may be blocked so long as Travis Shaw, Mike Moustakas and Orlando Arcia all remain healthy and productive.

Ngoepe has yet to arrive at Phillies camp while he waits to secure a travel visa, Meghan Montemurro of The Athletic reports.

Ngoepe was already facing an uphill battle to win an Opening Day bench role with the Phillies by virtue of being a non-roster invitee, and the missed time to begin camp won't help his case. He'll likely be withheld from the Phillies' first handful of Grapefruit League contests until his visa issues are resolved.

Manager Mickey Callaway said Rosario will likely hit eighth, Matt Ehalt of The Bergen Record reports.

Rosario spent most of his time hitting either first or last for the Mets in 2018. Following the offseason addition of veteran Jed Lowrie, it sounds like the youngster will begin the season situated near the bottom of New York's lineup, which could cut into his stolen base total -- he managed 16 of his 24 steals from the top of the order last season. Rosario made 22 starts from the eight hole in 2018, slashing .260/.333/.425 with two stolen bases in those appearances.

Frazier is set to start the 2019 season as the team's everyday second baseman.

He slashed just .239/.323/.355 in 156 plate appearances before the Pirates sent him to Triple-A in late June. After a month in the minors, Frazier returned and hit .306/.357/.533 in 196 plate appearances over the final three months. He isn't the strongest defender -- his .975 fielding percentage ranked 35th among 42 second basemen with 350 innings or more -- so he'll have to hit. The 27-year-old has no immediate competition at second base with Josh Harrison gone, so the opportunity for upside is possible.

Solarte signed a minor-league contract with the Giants on Friday, Robert Murray of The Athletic reports.

The Blue Jays declined to tender Solarte a contract in November, making him a free agent after the worst offensive performance of his major-league career with a .226/.277/.378 slash line. The 31-year-old played all four infield spots with Toronto last season and is likely to battle with the likes of Pablo Sandoval for a utility role in San Francisco. According to Jon Heyman of FancredSports.com, Solarte will receive $1.75 million, plus additional incentives, if he sticks in the majors.

McNeil is expected to primarily work in left field to start the 2019 season, Matt Ehalt of The Bergen Record reports.

McNeil spent much of 2018 at second and third base, making just two appearances in left field. However, with the additions of Robinson Cano and Jed Lowrie during the offseason, the Mets decided to make McNeil an outfielder for 2019. As things stand, the Mets plan to employ McNeil in left field against right-handed pitching, with Brandon Nimmo in center field and Michael Conforto covering right field to begin the season. This likely means McNeil will be in a platoon situation with Keon Broxton or Juan Lagares, which could limit McNeil's at-bats over the course of the season.

Urias (hamstring) won't face any restrictions in camp, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Urias was unable to play winter ball this offseason after suffering a setback in his recovery from a hamstring injury, but it sounds like the issue is behind him heading into spring training. Manager Andy Green said Urias will be "involved in every drill," adding that he won't be held back at all. The 21-year-old is expected to open the season as the Padres' starting shortstop before likely shifting to second base following the promotion of Fernando Tatis.