MLB Player News

Manager Ron Washington said Sunday that the club will "back off" Rengifo due to his hamstring injury, and he may not be ready for Opening Day, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

The 27-year-old downplayed the hamstring issue as a cramp after he was scratched from the lineup last Monday, but the injury appears to be a bit more problematic after he was scratched again Saturday. Rengifo has seen action in just one Cactus League game so far, leaving him just two and a half weeks to get right before Opening Day against the White Sox on March 27.

Gorman is just 4-for-26 with a 9:1 K:BB over his first nine Grapefruit League contests this spring.

Gorman worked with new hitting coach Brant Brown over the offseason on his plate discipline, but he has struggled to put those tips into action so far in camp. The Cardinals have pledged to give the 24-year-old a long leash this season, so Gorman is expected to open the year with a regular role -- likely bouncing between second base and designated hitter -- regardless of how he performs this spring. Potential fantasy investors would still like to see him string together some hits, however.

The Marlins optioned Serna to Double-A Pensacola on Saturday, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

Serna appeared in six games at Triple-A Jacksonville at the end of last season, but the Marlins will send him back to Double-A to begin the 2025 campaign. The 22-year-old infielder went 4-for-7 with a home run, three runs scored and a stolen base in the Grapefruit League, and he may not have to wait long to return to Triple-A if his hot bat follows him to Pensacola.

Rengifo was scratched from Saturday's Cactus League game against the Brewers due to hamstring tightness, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Rengifo was removed from Monday's lineup due to the same issue, and it appears he needs more time to recover from the injury after initially being slated to return Saturday. The Angels will likely take a cautious approach to Rengifo's rehab, but to this point there has been nothing to suggest he's in jeopardy of missing the start of the regular season. Christian Moore will take over for Rengifo at second base for Saturday's game.

Campbell worked with the outfielders during Friday's pregame work instead of the infielders, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports. Per the daily schedule posted in the locker room, Campbell was supposed to be working with infielders.

This follows a recent trend of Campbell playing the outfield. He opened camp getting work at second base, but Campbell's last four starts have come in left field. This spring, he's played 21 innings in left field and 20 at second base. This shift to the outfield coincides with the possibility that Wilyer Abreu (illness) may not be ready for Opening Day. Boston manager Alex Cora initially said Campbell getting reps in the outfield was a way to give at-bats to all the players competing for second base, but the coach later added context. "I think actually with everything that is going on, him getting reps in the outfield helps," Cora said. Another prospect, Roman Anthony, is expected to resume baseball activities Saturday following an illness, and he might be the more logical replacement for Abreu.

Schneemann started at shortstop and went 2-for-3 with a home run, three RBI and an additional run scored in Friday's spring game against the Athletics.

Schneemann clubbed his second home run of the Cactus League. He's seen time at shortstop, third base and center field during the spring season, putting him in position for super-utility duty if his lefty bat holds up against righties. Schneemann slashed .191/.276/.333 against them in 2024.

Rengifo (hamstring) will start at second base and bat sixth in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Brewers, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Hamstring cramps have kept Rengifo sidelined since Monday, but he's fully recovered and is now set to make his second start of the spring. The 28-year-old projects as the Angels' Opening Day second baseman, though he may not settle in at just one position for the entire season.

Villar appears unlikely to win a roster spot as he's behind both Brett Wisely and Casey Schmitt in the battle for San Francisco's final bench utility role, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

Villar is out of minor-league options, so he may be auditioning for a job on another big-league roster this spring. He's hitting .176 (3-for-17) in nine Cactus League contests.

Schneider went 2-for-2 with a walk, a home run and two RBI in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox.

He went back-to-back with Ernie Clement in the second inning off Cooper Criswell. It was Schneider's first long ball of the spring, but he's been locked in at the plate in camp when given an opportunity, going 5-for-13 with a 7:4 BB:K in 20 plate appearances. The 26-year-old doesn't have a clear starting spot in the lineup after managing a mediocre .625 OPS with a 31.7 percent strikeout rate in 2024, and he'll have trouble repeating his 454 PAs following the offseason additions of players like Anthony Santander and Andres Gimenez. Schneider's best path to playing time this season could come as a short-side platoon option in left field and at second base.

Frazier (back) will start at second base and bat fifth in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

Frazier hasn't played in more than a week while dealing with a back issue, but he's feeling up to giving it a go Friday. The veteran is slated to serve in a utility role with the Pirates this season.