MLB Player News

Duffy (hamstring) is starting at third base and hitting sixth Thursday against the Twins, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

As expected, Duffy is ready to make his Grapefruit League debut after clearing his final baserunning hurdle Wednesday. Barring any setbacks, the third baseman should have no problem getting up to speed before the start of the season.

Devers went 3-for-3 with a homer and two RBI in Wednesday's game against the Rays.

Devers opened up the scoring Wednesday with an RBI single in the first inning. The youngster added a solo home run -- his first of spring -- in the third inning before capping his day with another single in the fifth frame. Devers has collected five hits in eight at-bats through a trio of Grapefruit League games.

Bregman (elbow) is expected to make his spring debut Saturday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Bregman underwent surgery in January to remove bone chips from his right elbow. Despite his late start to camp, Bregman has plenty of time to get himself ready for Opening Day.

Candelario went 2-for-3 with an RBI triple, a double and a run scored in Wednesday's win over the Yankees.

Candelario tied the game up with his run-scoring triple in the first inning, and eventually came around to score on a single from Grayson Greiner to put the Tigers ahead. The third baseman has now produced a trio of extra-base hits and a 1:2 K:BB through four spring games.

Manager Kevin Cash said that Duffy (hamstring) will likely make his Grapefruit League debut Thursday versus the Twins, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

According to Steve Carney of Sports Radio 620 WDAE, Duffy took part in rundown drills Wednesday and looked to be sprinting at full speed. Assuming he arrives at camp Thursday without his hamstring presenting any issues, Duffy should check into the lineup, though the Rays could restrict him to a designated-hitter role rather than his normal duties at third base.

Chapman (illness) will serve as the Athletics' designated hitter and bat third Wednesday in the team's Cactus League matchup with the Dodgers.

An illness kept Chapman sidelined for the first six games of the Athletics' Cactus League slate, but it's possible the 25-year-old's spring debut would have been delayed even without the ailment due to the fact he that underwent a left shoulder procedure in December. Chapman entered camp without any restrictions on account of the shoulder, though the Athletics may still limit his reps at third base this spring for precautionary reasons. More importantly, Chapman now looks poised to get enough at-bats in during exhibition contests to erase any concern about his availability for the Athletics' season opener March 20 versus the Mariners in Tokyo.

Chapman (illness) will make his first appearance of the spring as a designated hitter Wednesday against the Dodgers, Julian McWilliams of The Athletic reports.

Chapman's spring was initially slowed by recovery from thumb and shoulder surgeries, but he was cleared for all baseball activities for a brief period before an illness shut him down. Returning Wednesday will give him more than enough time to get in game shape by Opening Day.

Chapman (illness) remains out of the lineup Tuesday against the Angels.

This is the A's sixth Cactus League game and we still haven't seen Chapman, but it doesn't seem like there's any reason to be concerned. He was recently cleared for all baseball activities following December shoulder surgery. By all accounts, the only thing holding him back now is this illness.

Duffy relayed Tuesday that his injured hamstring is "feeling good" and said he expects to play in a Grapefruit League game at some point before the end of the week, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Duffy is scheduled to run the bases Tuesday and Wednesday, after which the Rays should hone in on a target date for his return to the lineup. Unless he experiences a setback this week, Duffy is on track to earn enough at-bats during the spring to secure his spot as the Rays' everyday third baseman once the regular season arrives.

Manager Kevin Cash said there is no set date for Duffy's (hamstring) Grapefruit League debut, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Cash noted that Duffy is "chomping at the bit" to play, but the team is playing it safe and taking it slow with the infielder given how early it is in camp. He's already been ruled out through Tuesday. Duffy's current injury doesn't appear to be overly concerning at this point, but his status will be worth monitoring throughout camp.