MLB Player News

Lewis (knee) has been taking live at-bats in Florida and will soon advance to baserunning, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Lewis was placed on the 60-day injured list back in February as he continues his recovery from surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee. The current belief is that he could be ready to begin appearing in extended spring training games around mid-April. A lengthy minor-league rehab assignment would then follow. The 23-year-old infielder may be an option for the major-league roster in early June if all continues to go well.

White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said Moncada (back) has been cleared to play in Thursday's opener against the Astros, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

The White Sox were holding off on any announcements regarding Moncada's availability until he got through a workout Wednesday, and that evidently went off without a hitch. The third baseman had been dealing with some lower-back stiffness, but it won't be enough of an obstacle to keep him off the diamond to start the season. Moncada will be trying to bounce back from a dreadful 2022 campaign which saw him post just a .626 OPS.

Rafaela will begin the 2023 season with Double-A Portland, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Many expected Rafaela to open in Triple-A after he finished the 2022 campaign with the Sea Dogs, but the 22-year-old will get more action in the Eastern League before moving on to Triple-A. A source tells Starr that the organization wants the right-handed hitter to work on his approach at the plate without having to adjust to the higher level. Even with the outfielder opening the season in Double-A, there's a chance Rafaela spends time with the major-league club before the season comes to a close.

Moncada's (back) status for Opening Day will be determined after he goes through a workout with the White Sox on Wednesday, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Moncada exited Sunday's Cactus League game against the Rockies due to lower-back stiffness. He's been steadily improving since then and the feeling is that he should be ready for Opening Day, but he'll need to pass a final test Wednesday. If Moncada isn't ready, Jake Burger and/or Hanser Alberto could get a look at third base.

Miranda (shoulder) is expected to start at third base on Opening Day, MLB.com reports. He started at third base in Monday's spring training win over Pittsburgh and went 3-for-4 with two doubles. He's hitting .325 with five home runs and a 1.225 OPS this spring.

Miranda was limited to DH and first base for most of spring training due to a sore throwing shoulder. He's started the past two spring games at third base and looks set for everyday duty once the regular season begins. His sore shoulder wasn't an issue at the plate as Miranda had a tremendous spring with five home runs.

With the Tigers optioning Akil Baddoo and Zack Short to Triple-A Toledo on Monday, Kreidler has a clearer path to an Opening Day roster spot.

Kreidler is versatile enough to play across the infield and in the outfield, and that appeared to give him the edge over Baddoo and Short. Even if he sticks on the roster into the regular season, Kreidler is unlikely to have a huge fantasy impact after recording a .477 OPS across 26 games with the Tigers last year.

Duffy has been informed that he's made the Opening Day roster for the Royals, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Duffy was signed to a minor-league contract and invited to spring training back in January. The veteran infielder struggled last year with the Cubs with a .619 OPS across 247 plate appearances. He's likely to be a bench option for the Royals to begin the 2023 campaign.

Peraza will play both shortstop and second base with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman ruled out third base for Peraza, but the young infielder will be used at both middle infield spots as he awaits a return to the majors. Peraza may have lost out to Anthony Volpe for the shortstop job, but he could still very well play an important part for the Yankees this season before all is said and done.

White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said Monday that he expects Moncada (back) to be ready to play in Thursday's season opener versus the Astros, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports. "That's the expectation right now, yeah. We have an optional workout in Houston on a Wednesday. And hoping that he'll be there," Grifol said of Moncada. "Probably will, needs to get some treatment and do some stuff. Everything checks out, he'll be ready."

Though Moncada looks like he'll remain out of the lineup for the White Sox's final two Cactus League games Monday and Tuesday, he should get the green light for the Opening Day start at third base if he checks out fine following Wednesday's optional workout. Grifol noted that Moncada is still nursing some lower-back soreness, and even though the issue isn't expected to keep the 27-year-old from playing in the opener, he could get his first day off of the season fairly early.

Peterson played at third base in both Friday's and Sunday's spring training games against the White Sox and Giants, respectively, after being hit by a pitch Wednesday.

Peterson went a combined 2-for-5 in that pair of exhibitions, and although he didn't play a full nine innings in either, it's clear he's unaffected from having been plunked. The veteran appears set to open the season as the everyday third baseman.