MLB Player News

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.

Riley went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.

The third baseman took Fernando Cruz deep in the sixth inning for the first runs of the game after Spencer Schwellenbach and Carlos Carrasco engaged in a pitcher's duel through the first part of the contest. It was Riley's second homer of the spring, and a good sign that the pitch he took off his right hand over the weekend won't be a lingering issue. Through 14 Grapefruit League appearances, Riley is batting .294 (10-for-34) with a 3:9 BB:K and three doubles in addition to his long balls.

The Brewers optioned Monasterio to Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Monasterio did all he could this spring to break camp with the big club, posting a 1.157 OPS, but it wasn't enough. With Monasterio slated to begin the season in Nashville, Caleb Durbin's spot on the Opening Day roster might now be locked in.

Hernandez went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer and a sacrifice fly during Wednesday's 6-3 win against the Cubs in Tokyo.

Hernandez doubled Los Angeles' lead to 2-0 during the second inning with a sacrifice fly and provided some insurance runs with a two-run blast off Justin Steele in the fourth. The super-utility man started both games at first base in Tokyo with Freddie Freeman (ribs) banged up, but Hernandez is likely to be more of a semi-regular presence in the lineup when the Dodgers are at full strength.

Bohm (foot) will start at third base and bat cleanup in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

He'll return to action for the first time since Saturday, after a bruised foot prompted the Phillies to hold him out for a few days. Bohm has batted out of the No. 3 or 4 spot in each of his 12 starts so far this spring, so he'll likely find himself in a prime run-producing spot behind Trea Turner and Bryce Harper once the season gets underway.

Cook remains a candidate to win a roster spot to begin the regular season, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Spencer Horwitz's wrist injury has likely opened a roster spot and potential playing time at first base to begin the regular season, with Cook a potential beneficiary. He has only four hits across 25 Grapefruit League at-bats, but his 9:8 K:BB suggests he isn't as overwhelmed as his .160 average suggests. Cook is seemingly competing with Nick Yorke and DJ Stewart for one of the Pirates' final spots on the roster.

Wagaman should be on the Marlins' Opening Day roster, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports.

Graham Pauley's assignment to Triple-A Jacksonville on Sunday removed Wagaman's main competition for a spot. The 27-year-old hasn't done much at the plate this spring, batting .200 (7-for-35) with two homers, one steal and a 5:9 BB:K, but he has experience at both infield and both outfield corners, versatility that could come in handy off the bench with Jesus Sanchez (side) set to begin the season on the IL.

Bohm is dealing with a bruised foot but could return to the Phillies' Grapefruit League lineup as soon as Wednesday versus the Yankees, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Bohm hasn't played since Saturday because of the injury, but he's feeling better and will be back in action soon. The third baseman has put together a nice spring thus far, sporting a 1.108 OPS with three long balls.

Baty may begin the season platooning at second base with Luisangel Acuna, Tim Britton of the Athletic reports.

With Jeff McNeil (oblique) sidelined to begin the year, the decision to keep youngsters Baty and Acuna on the Opening Day roster gets easier, as regular playing time could be available for both. Baty would handle the strong side of any platoon at the keystone, and he could be taking a lot of momentum into the regular season -- through 14 Grapefruit League appearances, he's batting .343 (12-for-35) with three doubles, two homers and a 4:5 BB:K.

Bride went 2-for-4 with a walk, a two-run home run and two additional runs scored in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.

The 29-year-old took Sonny Gray deep in the third inning for his first long ball of the spring. Bride hasn't made much of a splash in camp, batting .182 (6-for-33) through 12 appearances, but his seven walks against only four strikeouts indicate he's been seeing the ball well. He should see regular at-bats this season while splitting time between first base and DH as he looks to build on last year's big second half.