MLB Player News
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Austin Riley 3B | ATL
Braves' Austin Riley: Might run more this season
Riley could be surprisingly active as a base stealer this season under the tutelage of new Atlanta baserunning coach Antoan Richardson, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
Richardson was the man most responsible for Juan Soto's stunning 38-steal campaign last season, and while Riley has only seven career stolen bases in seven MLB seasons, he's not actually slow of foot -- his sprint speed in 2025 ranked in the 73rd percentile. "He's going to get 20," center fielder Michael Harris said Friday. Riley was successful on his only steal attempt of the spring so far, but until he actually shows more willingness to use his legs, any contribution he makes in steals should be viewed as a bonus by fantasy GMs.
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Jonathon Long 3B | CHC
Cubs' Jonathon Long: Faces pitchers Friday
Long (elbow) faced live pitching Friday as he continues to ramp up his activity level, MLB.com reports.
Long has resumed regular workouts and facing live pitching is another step forward in his rehab process from an injury he sustained in an exhibition game last month. The 24-year-old was diagnosed with a left elbow bruise and cleared of any structural issues earlier in March, so he should be fully healthy in the near future. Long figures to begin the season with Triple-A Iowa and could push toward the majors at some point if he continues to tear up the level like he did in 2025.
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Matt Chapman 3B | SF
Giants' Matt Chapman: Multi-hit effort in spring game
Chapman went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored in Thursday's 3-3 Cactus League tie against the White Sox.
Chapman singled in the fourth inning before coming around to score San Francisco's first run, and he also hit an RBI single in the fifth to tie the game at 2-2. The veteran third baseman has appeared in 10 games this spring, slashing .375/.375/.750 with five RBI, four runs scored, three doubles and two long balls across 24 plate appearances. The 32-year-old was limited to 128 regular-season games in 2025 due to a right hand injury, posting a .231/.340/.430 slash line with 76 runs scored, 61 RBI, 21 home runs and nine stolen bases across 535 plate appearances.
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Andres Chaparro 1B | WAS
Nationals' Andres Chaparro: Still in running for starting job
Chaparro went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.
The 26-year-old took Tom Cosgrove deep in the fifth inning, Chaparro's second homer of the spring. He hasn't exactly impressed in camp, batting .263 (5-for-19) over 10 appearances, but his main competition for the starting job at first base, prospect Abimelec Ortiz, has gone just 2-for-16 with six strikeouts. The biggest threat to Chaparro's job security this season might actually come from Luis Garcia, if the Nationals decide they can no longer live with his glove at second base. Chaparro will also need to improve his own performance to stick around -- in 205 career big-league plate appearances, he's managed just a .203/.268/.358 slash line with five homers.
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Noelvi Marte 3B | CIN
Reds' Noelvi Marte: Shows offense/defense
Marte went 2-for-3 with a home run, a double and three RBI in Wednesday's spring game against the Brewers.
Marte led off the second inning with his second Cactus League home run before stroking a two-run double an inning later. In addition to his work at the plate, Marte, who converted from infield to outfield mid-stream in 2025, made a couple of nice plays in the field. It was a promising development for the relatively new right fielder, who had misplayed a ball earlier in the week, per Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. "He's got to be our best right fielder," Reds manager Terry Francona said Wednesday. "We certainly think he's capable. I do think there's some more to show. We've told him that." Cincinnati has a few options in the outfield beyond Marte, who is the frontrunner of a group that includes Will Benson, JJ Bleday and Dane Myers.
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Graham Pauley 3B | MIA
Marlins' Graham Pauley: Plays defense in backfields game
Pauley (forearm) played five innings of defense in a backfields game Monday but did not throw, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.
Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said Tuesday that Pauley will remain limited to designated-hitter duty in Grapefruit League games "for a while." Pauley is working his way back from right forearm tightness and the club is deliberating rebuilding his throwing before he's allowed to play in games without restrictions. If healthy, Pauley could open the season as Miami's primary third baseman.
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Graham Pauley 3B | MIA
Marlins' Graham Pauley: Not yet ready for defensive work
Pauley (forearm) isn't yet cleared to play defense, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports.
The 25-year-old had been used as a DH over the past week, batting .364 (4-for-11) in four games with a double, a triple and a 2:1 BB:K. Once Pauley receives clearance to see game action on defense, he'll resume his battle with Connor Norby for the Marlins' starting job at third base.
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Rafael Devers 3B | SF
Giants' Rafael Devers: Back in lineup at designated hitter
Devers (hamstring) will start at designated hitter and in the leadoff spot in Monday's Cactus League game versus the Angels.
Devers has been held out of game action since late February due to hamstring tightness, but he's ready to be eased back in at DH on Monday and should be ready to play first base again soon. The 29-year-old has gone hitless in nine plate appearances thus far in Cactus League play.
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Jonathon Long 3B | CHC
Cubs' Jonathon Long: Nearing return to baseball work
Long has been diagnosed with a bruise and cleared of any structural issues with his left elbow, putting him on track to potentially return to baseball activities by the end of the week, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.
The 24-year-old was unable to join Team Chinese Taipei for the World Baseball Classic due to the injury, but he's now progressing toward game action. If he can avoid any setbacks, Long could be ready to join Triple-A Iowa for the start of the minor-league season.
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Pedro Ramirez 3B | CHC
Cubs' Pedro Ramirez: Ticketed for Double-A
The Cubs optioned Ramirez to Double-A Knoxville on Sunday.
The 21-year-old infielder was added to the Cubs' 40-man roster over the winter but will need more seasoning in the upper levels of the minors before receiving his first taste of the big leagues. Ramirez will return to Knoxville for a second straight season after slashing .280/.346/.386 with eight home runs and 28 stolen bases across 563 plate appearances in the Southern League in 2025.