MLB Player News

Polanco has yet to play in any Grapefruit League games for the Twins this spring, but that's not due to any health issues, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Polanco missed the final month of last season with a knee injury, so his absence this spring raised some concerns. However, the infielder is healthy and doing back-field work. Polanco will see some Grapefruit League action eventually and is expected to be ready to roll for Opening Day.

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.

Lowe went 2-for-2 with a solo home run Thursday in a Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays.

Lowe is coming off an injury-riddled 2022 season during which he racked up only 266 plate appearances due to a back issue. He's been healthy this spring and has five hits across 15 at-bats, though Thursday's homer was his first extra-base knock. Lowe should be a near everyday player at second base once the regular season begins.

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.

Massey is officially listed as day-to-day with an ankle contusion.

After fouling a ball off his foot during Wednesday's game against the White Sox, Massey easily could have suffered a much worse fate. Luckily, he may only need to miss a day or two, and the 24-year-old infielder should still be able to start Opening Day for the Royals.

Massey left Wednesday's spring training game against the White Sox after fouling a ball off his foot, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Massey appeared to be in a great deal of pain, but luckily, he was able to limp off the field on his own. Currently projected to be the Royals' primary second baseman, the team will perform a further evaluation of Massey's injury, which should provide an idea of whether Massey will be able to start on Opening Day.

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.