MLB Player News

Black has been held out of Cactus League play due to minor back stiffness, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

It shouldn't be a long-term issue, but it's not clear when Black might be ready to play in games. Black already seemed unlikely to win a spot on the Opening Day roster, and any delay seemingly decreases his odds.

The Rays signed Westbrook to a minor-league contract Monday that includes an invitation to spring training, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

Westbrook, 29, saw his first major-league action in 2024 with the Red Sox, producing a .584 OPS over 21 contests. He's likely to begin the 2025 campaign at Triple-A Durham, where he'll provide utility depth.

Espinal started at shortstop and went 1-for-2 with a triple and a run scored in Sunday's spring game against the Giants.

Espinal has appeared in two Cactus League games -- both at shortstop -- and made an impact in both. Prior to Sunday's triple, he homered in a split-squad game against the Brewers on Saturday. The 30-year-old utility infielder/outfielder was useful to the Reds in 2024, establishing career highs in home runs (nine) and steals (11), as the team dealt with injuries throughout the roster. Cincinnati re-signed him during the offseason, presumably with the intent of having him fill a similar role in 2025.

Bowman started in left field and went 0-for-2 in Sunday's spring game against San Francisco.

Bowman, a Rule 5 selection during the offseason, has experience at second base, shortstop and center field and is considered a defensive asset wherever he plays. Thus far in spring training, manager Terry Francona deployed the 25-year-old at first base and left field. The manager told Mark Sheldon of MLB.com that the more positions Bowman can play, the better his chances of sticking with the team. "I told him, 'In fairness to you, we'd like to see you in as many places as we can.' Because the more versatile he is, the better," Francona said before Sunday's game. Bowman is 0-for-5 through two Cactus League games.

Julien is battling Brooks Lee for the starting second base job this spring with Willi Castro also likely to get time at the position, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. He started at second base in his spring debut Sunday and went 1-for-3.

Julien was thought to be a possible platoon partner at first base earlier in the winter, but Minnesota's signing of Ty France likely limits him to second base for any starting job. Julien's role is in flux as he could win the second base job, platoon at first base (or DH or 2B) or even begin the season in the minors. Julien displayed a mix of exceptional plate discipline and power in 2023 with a .381 OBP and .195 ISO, but he struggled with a .615 OPS last season and spent much of the year in the minors.

Vargas added 20 pounds of muscle during the offseason, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Vargas had considerable prospect pedigree while rising through the Dodgers' system, though he's hit just .204 with 13 home runs across 591 big-league plate appearances. His struggles in 2024 were at least partially blamed on the fact that he lost 12-to-14 pounds during the season, causing him to prioritize adding muscle this offseason. Vargas made his spring debut Saturday against the Cubs and went 0-for-2 with a walk.

Caballero went 0-for-2 with a strikeout in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox.

Caballero didn't have a notable day at the dish, but he did start in right field. While Caballero boasts defensive versatility along the infield, he has only one appearance in the outfield across two seasons in the majors. Per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, the Rays are hoping that Caballero proves capable of handling corner outfield duties as a reserve option during the regular season.

Keaschall went 1-for-2 in Minnesota's spring training opener Saturday. He appeared as a pinch hitter and stayed in the game at DH as he isn't able to play in the field due to his recovery from Tommy John surgery last August.

Keaschall has been taking grounders at second base but not throwing once he gets the ball. He could be cleared to begin throwing by the middle of March, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports. Keaschall almost surely isn't going to make the Opening Day roster, but he should debut during the 2025 season after slashing .303/.420/.483 with 15 home runs and 23 stolen bases between High-A Cedar Rapids and Double-A Wichita in 2024.

Manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that the Dodgers will look to use Kim in center field during spring training in addition to second base and shortstop, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Kim has a bit of experience playing in the outfield from his time in Korea, though he was only ever used in the corners. The Dodgers -- eager to add another lefty-hitting option in center field -- believe the 26-year-old's speed will allow him to succeed in the new role, but Kim is still expected to serve primarily as a second baseman once the regular season begins.

Norby believes his can hit 30 homers this season, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

The 24-year-old spent the offseason refining his swing mechanics to keep his bat in the zone longer, and Norby is confident his natural loud contact will produce plenty of power without him needing to sell out and swing for the fences. "I'm here to prove that I want to be one of the best players in the league, and I think I can do that," Norby said this week. "That's what it's about -- and helping the team win games." Thirty homers may not be an unreasonable goal for Norby, even if loanDepot Park tends to suppress right-handed power. Over 139 games last season split between Triple-A and the majors in the O's and Marlins organizations, he went yard 26 times.