MLB Player News

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.

Ibanez has been diagnosed with a small tear in his left hand and is hopeful to return to the lineup for Team Cuba in the World Baseball Classic in the coming days, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

In an interview with JIT Deporte Cubano, Ibanez says that he has not suffered a fracture, and that he's doing cold/water/hot water treatment in hopes of getting back in the lineup for Cuba in the WBC. The 29-year-old is in the mix for a backup role with the Tigers, and he should be able to return to Grapefruit League action after the tournament concludes.

Haggerty (lower body soreness) started at third base and went 0-for-2 in Monday's Cactus League loss to the Cubs.

The valued utility asset was making his first Cactus League appearance since Wednesday as a result of lower-body soreness. Haggerty's ability to play the field Monday seems to corroborate a return to normal for the 28-year-old, who also had offseason surgery to repair a Grade 2 adductor strain.

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.

Ibanez will not play Tuesday in the World Baseball Classic for Cuba due to a left hand injury, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Ibanez suffered the injury in an exhibition game for Cuba. The infielder was unable to practice Tuesday and he'll be held out of the lineup against the Netherlands for the WBC opener. Ibanez is competing for a bench spot with Detroit this spring and it remains to be seen if this will carry into the regular season.

Massey has gone 5-for-18 with two home runs, four RBI and four runs scored through six Cactus League games.

Massey hit just .243 with a .683 OPS, four home runs, 17 RBI and three stolen bases in 52 contests as a rookie last season. His solid spring, in terms of both making contact and showing some power, gives him an edge to start at second base over Nicky Lopez, who is hitless through six at-bats in the spring. Massey totaled 20 homers and 16 steals over three levels of baseball last year, so he could have some all-around appeal in fantasy if he can hit well.

Peguero was reassigned Tuesday to the minor-league side of Pirates camp.

Peguero was called up for his MLB debut last June but appeared in only one game with Pittsburgh. The 22-year-old infielder slashed .259/.305/.387 with 10 home runs and 28 stolen bases in 121 games last summer at Double-A.

Merrifield (quadriceps) will start at second base and bat leadoff in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates.

Merrifield will rejoin the spring lineup for the first time since last Thursday after a minor right quad injury prompted the Blue Jays to hold him out for a few days. Though he'll be leading off Tuesday, Merrifield will most likely find himself in the bottom half of the batting order during the regular season, at which time George Springer is expected to serve as Toronto's primary table setter.

Espinal went 2-for-3 with a run scored, an RBI and two stolen bases in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

Getting the start at second base and batting sixth, Espinal continued a strong start to his spring that's seen him go 7-for-14 at the plate with a homer and three steals. The 28-year-old is expected to begin the season in a bench role with Whit Merrifield shifting to second base, but if Merrifield's quad injury lingers over the next few weeks, Espinal could find himself in the Opening Day lineup.