MLB Player News

Albies went 2-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox.

He took Nick Pivetta deep in the fourth inning, giving Albies his fourth homer of the spring. The second baseman hit sixth in the game, his likely spot to begin the regular season, and he's now hitting .286 (12-for-42) in camp. If there's one minor area of concern with Albies' fantasy value, it's that he has yet to attempt a stolen base this spring after going only 3-for-8 on the basepaths in 2022.

Guillorme got the start at second base in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays, hitting leadoff and going 1-for-2 with two walks, two runs scored and an RBI.

The Mets deployed something close to their Opening Day lineup, but Guillorme filled in for Jeff McNeil at the keystone. Guillorme figures to be the team's top infield bench option this season, and the 28-year-old appears ready for the regular season after going 12-for-37 (.324) this spring with four doubles and a 7:8 BB:K.

Hoerner was scratched from the lineup for Saturday's Cactus League contest against the Angels due to left biceps tightness, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Hoerner was scratched Thursday due to the same injury, and while he was initially set to make his return Saturday, he needs at least one more day to heal. He's reportedly feeling better, and the Cubs say they're just being cautious, so his availability to Opening Day doesn't appear to be at significant risk.

Hoerner (biceps) will lead off and play second base Saturday against the Angels.

Hoerner was scratched Thursday due to left biceps tightness, but the Cubs called the move preventative at the time. Assuming he gets through Saturday's game without issues, he should be good to go for Opening Day.

Marte (illness) will lead off and play second base in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Mariners.

Marte had been scratched due to illness Thursday but is ready for game action two days later. He's gone 4-for-19 at the plate in spring training, plus an additional 2-for-8 at the World Baseball Classic.

Polanco (knee) is scheduled to play in a minor league spring training game Tuesday, LaVelle E. Neal of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. He will first hit in the batting cage and take grounders Saturday.

Polanco missed the final month of 2022 with a knee injury, and his progress stalled in the Grapefruit League. He's set to begin the regular season on the injured list. This looks like a significant step in his return as he has not played in any games this spring. He still likely has several major hurdles to clear, but this gives hope he could return earlier rather than later in the regular season.

Urias was scratched from the Brewers' lineup ahead of Friday's Cactus League game against the Rockies, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

It's unclear why Urias was taken out of the Crew's lineup, but it doesn't seem like it's injury-related. Cam Devanney will take over for him at third base.

Hernandez and Christian Arroyo will be used in the leadoff spot against left-handed pitching this season, Red Sox manager Alex Cora told Ian Browne of MLB.com on Friday.

Alex Verdugo and Triston Casas are Cora's top two picks for the leadoff spot against righties. Hernandez batted leadoff for Cora for most of the first two months of last season before being used mostly toward the bottom of the order down the stretch after returning from a hip injury.

Arroyo and Enrique Hernandez will be utilized in the leadoff spot against left-handed pitching this season, Red Sox manager Alex Cora told Ian Browne of MLB.com on Friday.

Cora mentioned Triston Casas and Alex Verdugo as potential leadoff hitters against righties as he uses a revolving door at the top of the batting order. Arroyo, who is set to start at second base, figures to be in the lower third of the order versus righties.

Ibanez was reassigned to minor-league camp by the Tigers on Friday.

Ibanez had seemed like a decent bet to make the team at the start of camp, but a hand injury suffered during WBC play killed that momentum. He'll be used as a utility infielder at Toledo.