MLB Player News

Dubon is one of the likely fill-in options at second base after manager Dusty Baker said Sunday that starter Jose Altuve (thumb) is likely out "a while," Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The Astros have yet to provide any specifics on the injury, but according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Altuve is dealing with a fractured thumb and is expected to miss 8-to-10 weeks. Dubon appeared in career-high 104 games last season between Houston and San Francisco and had a .214/.252/.313 slash line. He'd be the more defensive-oriented option at the keystone, with David Hensley offering more upside at the plate.

Motter is a candidate to make the Opening Day roster for the Cardinals, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Motter was signed to a minor-league contract in November, and the 33-year-old has impressed in the Grapefruit League with an .810 OPS, three homers and a pair of steals over 17 games. He's also capable of playing in the infield and outfield, so he brings versatility at the end of the St. Louis bench if he does make the roster. Motter will need to be added to the 40-man roster in order to be called up to the Cardinals, but he has at least earned a look from his play in Florida.

Altuve is expected to be out 8-to-10 weeks after being diagnosed with a fractured right thumb Sunday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

The initial fears of a broken thumb appear to have come to fruition after Altuve exited Saturday's World Baseball Classic game due to a hit-by-pitch. An eight-week absence would have the 32-year-old returning in mid-to-late May, but any hiccups during his rehab program could push his return well into June. David Hensley, Mauricio Dubon and Rylan Bannon should all be in the mix to see playing time at second base while Altuve is unavailable.

Hensley is starting at second base and batting cleanup in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The 26-year-old covering the keystone ordinarily wouldn't be newsworthy at this point in spring training, but it's notable after Jose Altuve suffered an injury Saturday during the World Baseball Classic, with the initial fear being that of a broken thumb. Hensley made five appearances at second base last season and could split time there with Mauricio Dubon with Altuve likely unavailable to open the campaign.

Vargas has gone 7-for-16 with a home run and three doubles since the Dodgers allowed him to start swinging in games following a finger injury.

Vargas' spring slash line of .292/.452/.542 looks pretty good on the surface, but it's even better when taking into account the fact that he began the Cactus League schedule with orders from the team to not swing the bat. The rookie consequently racked up eight strikeouts (in eight at-bats) while simply tracking pitches before the restriction was lifted, and he's since shown no ill effects from the hairline fracture of his right pinky finger that he suffered early in camp. Vargas has also made some nice defensive plays at second base, where he's slated to log most of his time in a starting role this season.

Angels manager Phil Nevin expressed concern about Rengifo's lack of playing time with Venezuela during the World Baseball Classic, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Nevin's comments came before Venezuela was ousted from the tournament by Team USA on Saturday, but it remains to be seen if Rengifo's minimal playing time will have any impact on his readiness for the regular season. The infielder got just six at-bats during the tournament, collecting one hit (a single) and scoring two runs. Rengifo will presumably return to the Angels in short order and should have more opportunities to play as the team wraps up its Cactus League schedule.

McNeil has gone just 1-for-8 in three games for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.

McNeil has struggled so far in the WBC, and he also was off to a slow start in the Grapefruit League with a .235/.278/.235 slash with zero extra-base hits in Florida. The hits aren't falling yet for the 30-year-old infielder, but after leading all of baseball with a .326 average last year and a career mark of .307, it's hard to believe McNeil won't be a contributor in that category again in 2023.

Polanco (knee) could begin the season on the injured list after feeling "normal soreness" a couple of times after taking batting practice this spring, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. "Jorge has looked good in live BP, swinging the bat," Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey said. "There has been no setback. We're just running out of days."

Twins management had been saying Polanco was on track for Opening Day even a week ago, but it sounds like his progress has stalled and its worrisome that it could be a setback. Polanco missed the final month of last season with a knee injury. He's been doing back-field work, but has not played in a game. He may need several weeks of extended spring training before he's ready to play in the Twins lineup.

Arraez homered twice for Team Venezuela and drove in four runs Saturday in a 9-7 loss to Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.

Arraez isn't known for his power, but he clobbered a two-run blast off Lance Lynn in the first inning, and swatted a solo shot off David Bednar in the seventh. Arraez also picked up an RBI on a fielder's choice. He sees his tournament come to a close with the loss, but it's nice to see Miami's big offseason acquisition driving the baseball, even in the exhibition season.

The Astros fear that Altuve might have broken his right thumb Saturday during the quarterfinal of the World Baseball Classic, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Altuve was hit in the hand area by a Daniel Bard pitch, and the former MVP immediately excited the game. The initial diagnosis was a possible hand injury, but Rosenthal provides specifics that it's likely located to the thumb area. Houston will provide further updates for Altuve on Sunday, but obviously this is a significant development that managers have to keep a close eye on.