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  • Orioles' Gunnar Henderson: Optimistic for Opening Day

    Henderson said Saturday that his right intercostal feels "a lot better," and he's hoping to be available for Opening Day, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

    The 23-year-old suffered the mild intercostal strain in late February but resumed baseball activities this week and is hoping to return to game action before the end of the Grapefruit League slate. Henderson will likely need to ramp up his baseball work during the upcoming week to have a realistic shot at Opening Day.

  • Red Sox's Rafael Devers: Making spring debut Saturday

    Devers (shoulders) is batting second as the designated hitter in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

    It's the first official appearance of spring training for Devers, who was built up slowly during the first half of camp after his shoulder problems last year. The 28-year-old appears set to begin the season as Boston's primary designated hitter, as he said Thursday he's OK with being utilized that way after previously indicating that he was unwilling to move off third base. That development will allow Alex Bregman to step in at the hot corner after signing a deal worth up to $120 million in February, though the Red Sox haven't officially announced their plans on who will play where.

  • Yoan Moncada 3B | LAA

    Angels' Yoan Moncada: Scratched with sore thumb

    Moncada was scratched from Friday's lineup against the Athletics due to thumb soreness, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

    It's not clear at this point whether the injury might cause Moncada to miss any additional time. The veteran infielder is 4-for-21 with one home run and a 6:7 K:BB over 10 Cactus League contests. Moncada is projected to open the season as the Angels' primary third baseman.

  • Jose Ramirez 3B | CLE

    Guardians' Jose Ramirez: Might hit second

    Guardians manager Stephen Vogt indicated Friday that he's leaning toward batting Ramirez second this season, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

    Ramirez has spent the overwhelming majority of his career batting third, including in 2024 when 152 of his 158 starts were from the three hole. However, Vogt likes the idea of Ramirez hitting second, as it offers his best hitter more plate appearances and more RBI opportunities. It's not yet clear who would bat third for the Guardians in that scenario, but Kyle Manzardo, Carlos Santana and Lane Thomas have all been used in that spot of late during spring training.

  • Jhonkensy Noel OF | BAL

    Guardians' Jhonkensy Noel: Still has chance for roster spot

    Noel is projected to make the Guardians' Opening Day roster by Mandy Bell and Tim Stebbins of MLB.com.

    Noel has 15 strikeouts across 33 at-bats in Cactus League action this spring and doesn't offer much range in the outfield. On the other hand, he would provide some needed pop for the Guardians from the right side of the plate, as he maintained a .268 ISO across 198 plate appearances in his first taste of the majors last season. Assuming he does make the team, Noel is expected to begin the campaign splitting time with Will Brennan in right field.

  • Red Sox's Rafael Devers: Now says he's willing to DH

    Devers (shoulders) said Thursday that he is OK with being a designated hitter if that's where the Red Sox choose to use him, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

    Devers was speaking publicly for the first time since telling reporters in mid-February that he was a third baseman and was unwilling to be a DH. The 28-year-old has spoken with manager Alex Cora and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow since then, and while he wanted to keep the details of that conversation to himself, he now appears amendable to serving as the team's DH. The Red Sox have not yet announced a decision on where Devers or Alex Bregman will play, but all signs point to Devers indeed being the DH while Bregman handles third base. Devers homered during a simulated game Thursday and is expected to finally make his Grapefruit League debut Saturday against Atlanta.

  • Taylor Walls 3B | TB

    Rays' Taylor Walls: Back in lineup Thursday

    Walls (quadriceps) is in the lineup for Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

    Walls will return to action for the first time since March 8, having turned the page on the quad issue. Known more for his glove than his bat, Walls is expected to serve as the Rays' primary shortstop until offseason addition Ha-Seong Kim (shoulder) is ready to return. Kim is said to be targeting late May for his 2025 debut.

  • Cam Smith 3B | HOU

    Astros' Cam Smith: Starting in right field Thursday

    Smith will start in right field and bat cleanup in Thursday's split-squad game against the Cardinals, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

    After acclimating himself to the position on the back fields, Smith will play right for the first time in a Grapefruit League game while running with the rest of Houston's "A" lineup. Acquired from the Cubs in the Kyle Tucker trade, Smith is widely considered his new organization's top prospect, and he appears to have a real chance to make the Opening Day roster despite limited experience in the minors. The 22-year-old is 9-for-20 with a pair of homers and seven RBI so far this spring.

  • Red Sox's Rafael Devers: Set to play in sim game

    Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Wednesday that he expects Devers (shoulders) to take at-bats during a simulated game Thursday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

    If all goes well in the sim game, Devers could be cleared to make his Grapefruit League debut Saturday versus Atlanta. Devers appears to be further away from taking part in full defensive drills at third base, making it likelier by the day that he'll be limited to a designated-hitter duties to begin the 2025 campaign. If that's the case, Masataka Yoshida (shoulder) would presumably open the season on the injured list, as he's been making starts at DH this spring but has yet to complete his throwing progression and could be weeks away from being ready to play the corner outfield.

  • Alex Bregman 3B | CHC

    Red Sox's Alex Bregman: In line to bat third

    Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Wednesday that he plans to have Jarren Duran, Rafael Devers (shoulders) and Bregman as the top three in his batting order this season, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

    They will be followed by Triston Casas and Trevor Story in the fourth and fifth spots, respectively, at least against right-handers. Bregman has had a terrific spring at the plate with his new club, slashing .391/.467/.826 with a couple home runs.

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