MLB Player News

Bregman started at third base, walked twice and was hit by a pitch in Saturday's game against the Mets.

Bregman, who underwent right elbow surgery Jan. 11, was plunked on his left elbow in his third plate appearance. He was wearing an elbow guard, so there was minimal damage. "It doesn't feel great," Bregman told Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. "It's bruised right now. It's a bigger bruise right now than I had all of surgery." Other than getting hit by a pitch, Bregman reported feeling good and is looking to get some at-bats under his belt to find his rhythm. He swung just once over his three plate appearances.

Astudillo went 2-for-2 with two runs scored and a two-run homer in Saturday's spring loss to the Nationals.

Astudillo was 1-for-8 prior to hitting his first home run of the spring Saturday. The 27-year-old is attempting to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster as a utility player.

Ramirez (foot) is not in Saturday's lineup against the A's, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

He left Friday's game after getting hit by a pitch on the top of his foot. Manager Terry Francona downplayed the injury after that contest, but Ramirez is apparently not ready to return to game action.

Bregman (elbow) is starting at third base and hitting third Saturday against the Mets, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

He underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow back on Jan. 11, and his recovery has gone as well as could have been expected.

Moncada will be more aggressive in his at-bats this season, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. "I'm going to try to keep my same approach but be more aggressive with the borderline pitches, defend the strike zone better, and make more contact. I learned from last year. It's something I can improve and elevate my offense to another level," said Moncada.

In addition to handling a position change from second base to third, Moncada vows not to be too picky at the plate. He made headlines last season when he led the AL in strikeouts with 217 (33.4 K%). Moncada and the White Sox feel his keen eye for the strike zone led to allowing hittable, borderline pitches go by for strikes.

Duffy was scratched from the lineup for Saturday's spring game due to soreness in his hamstring, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.

Duffy did not appear in a spring game before Thursday because of a hamstring injury, and it appears the setback remains an issue, as he is not feeling good enough to play despite taking Friday off. Duffy was set to lead off in a split-squad game Saturday, but Yandy Diaz will now occupy that role instead.

Manager Terry Francona said Ramirez (foot) is fine after getting hit by a pitch during Friday's game against the Dodgers, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Francona added that he didn't think it made much sense to leave Ramirez in after the third baseman was hit on the top of his foot by a breaking ball. He should be considered day-to-day for now; the Indians may give him some time off as a precaution, but it doesn't sound like Ramirez will be sidelined for long.

Ramirez exited Friday's game against the Dodgers after being hit by a pitch on the top of his foot, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Daniel Johnson came on to pinch run for Ramirez, who was likely removed for precautionary reasons. The third baseman should be considered day-to-day for now. Ramirez struck out in his only other trip to the plate Friday; he's now 2-for-10 with a homer and four RBI through five spring appearances.

Chapman is batting second and starting at third base in Friday's spring game against the Rockies, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Chapman missed the beginning of spring training due to an illness but was able to make his spring debut at designated hitter Wednesday. The 25-year-old underwent left shoulder surgery in December but his return to third base Friday puts him fully on track for the Athletics' season opener March 20 against the Mariners in Japan.

Ramirez went 2-for-3 with a home run, four RBI and two runs scored Thursday against Arizona.

Ramirez picked up his first two hits of the spring, both resulting in runs crossing the plate. He hit an RBI single in the first inning and followed up with a three-run shot over the right-field fence in the fourth. Ramirez belted a career-best 39 homers and drove in 105 runs through 157 games a season ago, so he'll look to find similar success in 2019.