MLB Player News

Senzel broke his thumb while fielding a groundball before Thursday's game against the Reds, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

The Nationals should offer more details following Thursday's game, but it sounds like Senzel may be facing an extended absence to begin the season. Ildemaro Vargas entered the lineup as Senzel's replacement and figures to see regular reps at third base while he's out.

Madrigal will start at third base and bat eighth in Thursday's season opener versus the Rangers.

Madrigal was a question mark for Opening Day not long ago due to a hamstring injury, but he's avoided an injured list stint and is in the Cubs' Opening Day lineup. Presumed third baseman Christopher Morel is starting at designated hitter.

Senzel was scratched from the Nationals' lineup for Thursday's game against the Reds, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Senzel reportedly injured a finger while fielding grounders ahead of Thursday's contest, though it remains unclear how serious his injury is. In the meantime, Ildemaro Vargas will fill in at third base and bat eighth.

The Diamondbacks designated Rivera for assignment Thursday.

Heading into spring training, Rivera looked like a fairly safe bet to make the Opening Day roster as a reserve infielder, but Arizona's plans for him may have changed after he submitted a woeful .167/.268/.229 slash line over 21 Cactus League games. The Diamondbacks will instead move Rivera off the 40-man roster and make room for rookie infielder Blaze Alexander on the Opening Day bench.

The Marlins recalled Bride from Triple-A Jacksonville on Thursday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Miami had sent Bride to minor-league camp earlier this month, but he'll now fill the roster spot vacated by the trade of Jon Berti. Bride will provide depth at multiple infield spots.

Bride could now make the Marlins' Opening Day roster following the trade of Jon Berti, Craig Mish of the Miami Herald reports.

Bride was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville earlier this month, but with an ability to handle multiple infield positions he makes for a natural replacement for Berti. However, the Marlins already have utility options Nick Gordon and Vidal Brujan on the roster, so they may not feel the need to add a third. The 28-year-old Bride was acquired from the Athletics in February.

Vargas appears set as the Nationals' primary utility infielder to begin the season.

A big spring from prospect Trey Lipscomb created some drama toward the end of camp as to who would claim the final roster spots, but Vargas' job seems secure after Lipscomb was reassigned to minor-league camp Tuesday. With Luis Garcia and Nick Senzel both question marks at second base and third base, Vargas could see more playing time than expected in the early going, but he offers little fantasy upside after slashing .252/.304/.363 over 286 plate appearances for the Nats in 2023.

Senzel batted .231 (9-for-39) over 15 Grapefruit League games with a 4:13 BB:K and only two extra-base hits, both doubles.

The former Red signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the Nationals in December, and Senzel's new team is hoping it has the same success reviving his career that it did with Jeimer Candelario in 2023. Senzel showed little this spring to indicate he's headed for a breakout season though, and while he'll be the Nats' Opening Day starter at third base, he may need to hit the ground running to keep the job with Trey Lipscomb making a big impression in camp and Brady House potentially ready to push for a spot in the majors as well.

The Nationals reassigned Lipscomb to minor-league camp Tuesday.

The 23-year-old made a strong push for a roster spot during spring training with a .995 OPS in 55 plate appearances, but he'll still end up beginning the campaign in the minors. Luis Garcia retains a tenuous grip on the starting job at second base, but Lipscomb's strong spring puts him in prime position for an early-season promotion should Garcia have a poor start to the campaign.

Madrigal (hamstring) is expected to avoid the injured list and be part of the Cubs' Opening Day roster, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Madrigal returned to Cactus League play Sunday after missing three weeks with a right hamstring strain. He'll finish the spring with just 19 plate appearances, but evidently the Cubs have deemed that sufficient. The 27-year-old is a candidate for some playing time at third base for the Cubs.