MLB Player News

Pauley is expected to land the final position player roster spot for the Marlins due to the fact Connor Norby (oblique) is slated for a stint on the 10-day injured list, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Pauley was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville earlier this month, but he has already rejoined the Marlins in Miami for their exhibition game versus the Yankees on Tuesday and is getting the start at third base. He could see some action at the hot corner while Norby misses the next four weeks. Eric Wagaman and Jonah Bride are also candidates to fill in at third base.

Rosario is not expected to be included on the Padres' Opening Day roster, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

The utility player had been in the running for a reserve role but didn't wind up making the cut. Rosario is out of minor-league options, so he will either have to be traded or placed on waivers.

The Phillies will attempt to trade Kennedy before Opening Day, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Kennedy did not make the Opening Day roster, but the club has received trade interest in the 26-year-old and will attempt to swing a deal. If a trade doesn't come to fruition, Kennedy will be designated for assignment, as he is out of minor-league options.

The Diamondbacks reassigned Vargas to minor-league camp on Sunday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Vargas competed for the final bench spot on the roster but lost out to Garrett Hampson due to the latter's positional versatility. Hampson's ability to play three infield positions, all three outfield spots and his speed/baserunning advantage won out.

Workman could stay on the MLB roster once Nico Hoerner (forearm) returns, with Vidal Brujan losing his spot instead, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Workman made Chicago's roster for its two-game set in Tokyo last week, and the Rule 5 draft may be the favorite to stick around once Hoerner is back, which could be in time for the domestic opener later this week or soon after. In that scenario, Brujan would be designated for assignment, as he is out of minor-league options. If the Cubs prefer to keep Brujan and dump Workman, the latter would have to be returned to Detroit.

Vargas started at shortstop and went 3-for-4 with two doubles, one RBI and two runs scored in Saturday's spring game against San Francisco.

Vargas is making manager Torey Lovullo's decision difficult as the Cactus League wraps up. He and Garrett Hampson are vying for a utility role, as the manager decides on an Opening Day roster. Saturday's three-hit effort followed up a 4-for-5 output Thursday, when Vargas started at second base. Entering Sunday, he's batting .375 with six doubles, two home runs, 10 RBI, 10 runs scored and one stolen base. Hampson, who started in center field Saturday, is batting .300 through 17 Cactus League contests.

Machado went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in a Cactus League win against the Reds on Saturday.

Machado accounted for the only run in the contest with a 389-foot solo shot in the seventh inning. It was the veteran slugger's second long ball of the spring, and just his third RBI. Machado is slashing a modest .200/.250/.433 during the exhibition slate, but unlike last spring, he's been able to play the field regularly. He was limited to DH duties during most of the first month of the regular season last year after undergoing offseason elbow surgery, but that issue is long behind him, and Machado is slated to start at the hot corner on Opening Day against Atlanat on Thursday

Cook was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Cook was in the mix for a role at first base and in the outfield, though he will ultimately begin the season in Indianapolis. He hit only .160 with one extra-base hit across 25 at-bats in Grapefruit League action, but his defensive versatility could earn him a spot in Pittsburgh at some point during the campaign.

Baty went 2-for-3 with a double and a two-run home run in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.

The 25-year-old has been the most impressive hitter in camp for the Mets. Baty is batting .354 (17-for-48) through 18 spring appearances with six doubles, a triple and three homers, and he's shown improved defense as well as he splits time between second base and third base. Baty is expected to begin the season on the strong side of a platoon at the keystone with Luisangel Acuna while Jeff McNeil (oblique) is on the shelf, but he'll need to do better than his career .607 OPS in the majors to retain a significant role.

Baty went 2-for-3 with a double, a triple, a run scored and an RBI in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.

Both extra-base hits came off Ronel Blanco, and Baty is now batting .333 (14-for-42) this spring with four doubles, a triple and two homers, plus a sharp 4:5 BB:K. The 25-year-old has emerged as the favorite to start at second base for the Mets while Jeff McNeil (oblique) is on the shelf, or at least handle the strong side of a platoon with Luisangel Acuna, and while Baty has yet to provide consistent offense in the majors, his career .273/.368/.531 slash line at Triple-A with 26 home runs in 416 plate appearances will earn him at least one more chance to turn his potential into production.