MLB Player News

Peraza (leg) is in the lineup for Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox.

As expected, Peraza will return after tweaking something in his lower left leg last week. Top prospect Anthony Volpe is making noise in camp, but Peraza still projects as the Opening Day shortstop for the Yankees. He will look to return to the form he showed upon his debut last season, when he slashed .306/.404/.429 in 57 plate appearances.

Peraza (leg) is expected to return to Grapefruit League action Thursday, Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reports.

Peraza tweaked something in his lower left leg last Thursday and was given extended rest after feeling more discomfort when he tried to play Saturday. All in all, though, it doesn't seem to be much of an issue. The 22-year-old is currently penciled in as the starting shortstop for the Yankees, but he may have to fend off the hard-charging Anthony Volpe for that role.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Tuesday that he still anticipates Walls (oblique) being ready to go for Opening Day, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. "As of right now, I'm not worried about 'Wallsy.' I'm confident he'll be ready," Cash said.

Walls has been sidelined since the beginning of spring training with an oblique strain, but Cash and the Rays' training staff have apparently noticed enough progress from the infielder to become convinced that he's on track for the start of the regular season. Cash didn't specify where exactly Walls stands in his recovery, however, and the 26-year-old will almost certainly need to get at-bats in a handful of Grapefruit League games or minor-league exhibitions before he's formally cleared for Opening Day. Walls started in 122 of his 142 appearances for Tampa Bay in 2022 but is likely to serve as more of a short-side platoon option/utility man in the infield when all of Yandy Diaz, Wander Franco, Brandon Lowe and Isaac Paredes are available.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Nevin is scheduled to undergo an MRI after experiencing oblique soreness in batting practice Tuesday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Nevin's injury further tests the Tigers' already-thin depth at third base, as non-roster invitee Andy Ibanez (finger) got hurt while preparing for the World Baseball Classic and is also limited for the time being. The Tigers won't know the full scope of Nevin's injury until the results of his MRI are read, but even if he's only sidelined for a few days, the oblique issue could derail his chances of making the Opening Day roster. With a .737 OPS through seven Grapefruit League games, Nevin had been making a decent case to break camp as a short-side platoon mate for the lefty-hitting Nick Maton at third base.

Lipcius went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run, two runs scored and three RBI in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.

Lipcius has had an impressive start to his spring, as he now has three home runs and a 1.600 OPS across 15 at-bats. The 24-year-old was added to the 40-man roster in November, and after a productive 2022 split between Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo, Lipcius could be in line for his MLB debut at some point in 2023. He figures to play some at second base and third base whenever he reaches the majors.

Maton went 3-for-3 with a double, a run scored and an RBI in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.

Maton was off to a slow start before Tuesday's outburst, but he's now batting .294 this spring. The versatile 26-year-old is competing for an everyday role at third base, though he can also play some in the middle infield and the outfield. Maton should see a decent number of at-bats for the Tigers this season and could emerge as a moderately useful fantasy option.

Jung went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Tuesday's spring game against the Cubs.

Jung is 5-for-20 in nine Cactus League games, but the main thing is that he's healthy and playing spring ball. He didn't play in 2020 due to the pandemic, then had a foot injury in 2021 and shoulder surgery in 2022. Jung is taking on the challenge of being the Rangers' starting third baseman, an unsettled position for much of 2022 until he was added to the roster in September.

Mead and the Rays have explored a long-term contract extension this spring, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Mead, a 22-year-old native of Australia, has delivered a sparkling .306/.376/.517 career batting line through 970 minor-league plate appearances. He posted a .922 OPS with 13 home runs and 27 doubles in 76 games last summer between Double-A Montgomery and Triple-A Durham. Even if the extension talks ultimately fail, the young infielder should rise to the major-league level with Tampa Bay in 2023. Most of his defensive experience has come at third base, though he's also played some shortstop, second base and first base.

Miranda (shoulder) has a "very realistic chance" of being ready to play third base on Opening Day, Twins manager Rocco Baldelli told Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com on Tuesday.

Miranda tested out his right shoulder with a plyo ball Tuesday and expects to be ready to throw a regular baseball in 2-3 days. If he can avoid setbacks, it sounds like he should be ready to handle the hot corner come March 30. Even if he's not quite ready to play the field, Miranda could serve as the first baseman or designated hitter for a bit. He's already homered three times out of the DH spot this spring.

Miranda tested out his right shoulder by throwing a plyo ball Tuesday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

It went well, and the next step will be for Miranda to throw with a regular ball in a few days. His shoulder does not bother him at the plate, which he showed Tuesday with a home run -- his third already this spring -- out of the designated hitter spot.