MLB Player News

Peterson is hitting .240 (6-for-25) with two doubles, two home runs, six RBI, seven walks, a stolen base and four runs across 12 Cactus League games.

The veteran is trying to lock down the starting third base job on the Opening Day roster. Peterson owns a career .231 average and .664 OPS across 741 big-league games, so his real-world and fantasy ceilings are irrefutably capped, but he's proven to be a serviceable contributor over the years. The left-hander should open the season seeing the majority of work against right-handed pitching, but he has managed a .268 batting average and .340 OBP versus southpaws over the last three seasons, albeit in only 94 plate appearances.

Urias has gone 4-for-21 (.190) through nine Grapefruit League games.

Urias began the spring without a set spot in the Orioles' lineup, but he's not alone among struggling infielders this spring. All of Gunnar Henderson, Adam Frazier and Jorge Mateo are also batting under .200 so far, so Urias' struggles don't stand out as much. The right-handed hitter should at least be able to push for a short-side platoon role at second base or third base, especially since he won a Gold Glove at the hot corner in 2022.

Nevin (oblique) hit off a tee Thursday and will ramp up his hitting progression next week, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Nevin has been going through other baseball activities as well as he makes a swift recovery from a left oblique strain. The 25-year-old would seem to have a shot to get ready in time for Opening Day.

Ramirez is batting .364 (8-for-22) through nine Cactus League games.

Ramirez played through a thumb injury for most of last season which required offseason surgery. The one concern from his spring numbers is a lack of power -- he has one extra-base hit, a home run. He's also logged two stolen bases. Ramirez offers one of the most enticing power-and-speed combinations in fantasy, especially since he's a third baseman. He slashed .280/.355/.514 with 29 homers, 20 steals, 126 RBI and 90 runs scored over 157 games a year ago despite the injury, and it would be fair to call that a slightly down year by his standards.

Walls (oblique) will serve as the Rays' designated hitter and No. 3 batter Thursday in a split-squad Grapefruit League game against Atlanta, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Walls is making his spring debut Thursday after he reported to camp battling an oblique strain that has prompted the Rays to bring him along slowly in workouts. The Rays will ease Walls back into the lineup in a non-defensive role, and he could be limited to DH duties for at least a couple more days before he gets the green light to make a start in the infield. Manager Kevin Cash has said that he anticipates Walls being ready to go for Opening Day, but that will be contingent on Walls avoiding any setbacks with the oblique during Grapefruit League play.

Yandy Diaz is expected to play primarily at first base in 2023, leaving Paredes with an opportunity to be the team's primary third baseman, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

Though the Rays continue to boast impressive infield depth in both the majors and upper levels of the minors, the departure of Ji-Man Choi relieved some of the playing time jam. Paredes will seek to take advantage of the opportunity after posting 20 home runs, 48 runs scored and 45 RBI across 381 plate appearances with the Rays last season. However, he hasn't acquitted himself particularly well this spring, as he has gone only 5-for-26 with no extra-base hits combined between the World Baseball Classic and spring training contests.

Burger has four home runs through 15 Cactus League games.

He has also struck out 12 times through 35 at-bats, but the power is certainly encouraging. Burger, 26, appears to be locked into an Opening Day roster spot with the White Sox and deserves to see regular playing time out of the gate versus left-handed pitching. A first-round pick in the 2017 MLB Draft, he boasts a career .892 OPS against southpaws in limited action as a major leaguer.

Noel was optioned to Triple-A Columbus by the Guardians on Tuesday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Noel, 21, has gone 2-for-15 at the dish in nine games this spring. The young slugger is expected to play left and right field in addition to his natural first base at Columbus this season.

Nevin (oblique) has started playing catch and going through defensive drills, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Nevin is also aiming to hit off a tee by the end of the week. Phil's son is working his way back from a mild left oblique strain and it seems like he might have an outside shot to be ready for Opening Day.

Lipcius was optioned to Triple-A Toledo by the Tigers on Tuesday.

Lipcius has had a nice spring with a .909 OPS and three home runs. The 24-year-old is capable of playing all over the infield and could find himself in a utility role in Detroit before long.