MLB Player News

Urias has gone 3-for-11 over his first five Grapefruit League games.

Urias projects as a potential utility player for the Orioles this season. It's not necessarily anything he's done wrong -- the youth movement is on in Baltimore, leaving him without a defined place in the lineup. Urias could play all around the infield, with second base being the most likely path to regular at-bats, depending on how Jordan Westburg and Jackson Holliday progress. Kolten Wong is also in camp on a minor-league deal, but he'll likely be more organizational depth that a true threat to Urias' place on the roster.

Manager Bruce Bochy said Sunday that Jung (calf) has been cleared to resume baseball activities, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

The 26-year-old has been sidelined since he suffered a left calf strain in mid-February, but he's now ready for baseball work and is taking swings in the batting cage Sunday. Jung should ramp up his activities over the next week and could make his spring debut before too long if he has no further issues with his calf.

Manager Brandon Hyde said Henderson (oblique) is expected to play in Monday's spring game against the Twins, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reports.

The 22-year-old has yet to see the field in Grapefruit League play due to the oblique injury, but it appears he'll be making his spring debut Monday. Assuming he avoids any setbacks, Henderson will have plenty of time to ramp up his workload ahead of Opening Day.

Farmer looks set to platoon with Edouard Julien at second base and serve as the primary backup at shortstop, MLB.com reports. He's gone 1-for-9 in three games this spring.

Julien could get more playing time if he improves against left-handed pitching, but Farmer should get steady starts at second base against lefties to begin the season. Farmer is a plus glove at second base, but his lack of premium power and lower contact rate (74.4%) exposes his deficiences with everyday duty.

Garcia is projected as the Royals' starting third baseman and a potential leadoff hitter, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Garcia has gone 4-for-9 with a stolen base over his first three Cactus League games. He enjoyed a solid first major-league campaign, batting .272 with a .681 OPS while adding 23 stolen bases, 50 RBI and 59 runs scored. The Royals' lineup looks a little beefed up compared to 2023, and another year of growth from the prospects could help Garcia be a valuable contact hitter and speed threat if he can remain atop the lineup.

Keith (illness) is in the lineup for Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Keith was held out of the lineup Friday due to an illness, but it seems he made a quick recovery. Although he has yet to log an MLB at-bat, the 22-year-old is expected to open the season as the Tigers' primary second baseman after inking a six-year, $28.64 million contract extension with Detroit in January. He hit .287/.369/.521 with 13 homers in 67 games at the Triple-A level last season.

Lewis went 1-for-4 with a grand slam in Friday's Grapefruit League win over Boston.

Lewis is 7-for-12 with the bases loaded in his career in the regular season and was the fastest player in MLB history to hit five grand slams, needing only 66 career games. While his spring training grand slam won't add to those totals, it shows Lewis is just about in regular-season form. After missing time each of the last three seasons due to knee injuries, Lewis is fully healthy entering 2024 and could be poised for superstardom.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Friday that Peraza is still feeling some "pinching" in his right shoulder, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

The team had been hoping Peraza could return to Grapefruit League action as soon as Friday, but he's not ready just yet. Boone doesn't believe the injury to be serious, but throwing is still problematic, particularly when Peraza would have to play third base. He's considered day-to-day.

Devers went 2-for-3 with a homer and one RBI, scoring twice in Boston's 5-2 win against Detroit on Thursday.

The third baseman remains a linchpin in Boston's retooled lineup and certainly appears to be regular-season ready. Devers won't have much name-brand support in the order besides Trevor Story, but it's hard to imagine Devers not getting close to his 2023 season in which he tallied 33 homers and 100 RBI.

Gelof went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in the Athletics' Cactus League loss to the Padres on Thursday.

It was Gelof's second straight game with a solo shot and third extra-base hit overall in five exhibitions to date. Last season's rookie standout -- he posted a .267 average and .841 OPS with 35 extra-base hits across 69 games -- is now naturally penciled in as the starting second baseman heading into the 2024 season.