MLB Player News

Busch could see his role reduced somewhat now that Cody Bellinger has agreed to return to the Cubs, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Bellinger agreed to a three-year, $80 million deal Sunday and will likely split his time between center field and first base just like he did last year. Busch is likely the top option at first whenever Bellinger is in center, but the former's role could still be reduced due to the new addition to the roster. Fantasy players will want to keep an eye on the situation, but for now, Busch may be an up-and-down option, at least in the early going as things shake out.

Bohm (neck) is expected to make his spring debut Wednesday against the Yankees, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Neck spasms have sidelined the 27-year-old for the first weekend of Grapefruit League action, but his absence shouldn't extend much beyond that. Bohm produced a .274/.327/.437 slash line with 20 home runs in 145 games last season and is poised for another campaign as Philadelphia's third baseman.

Muncy worked on improving his physical conditioning in the offseason, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Vassegh notes that both Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and general manager Brandon Gomes have credited Muncy for improving his conditioning over the winter. The offseason conditioning may have been toward the purpose of staying healthier, as Muncy has landed on the injured list at some point each of the past three seasons, with a troublesome hamstring being the culprit last year. Los Angeles signed Muncy to a two-year extension in November, and he's set to be the team's everyday third baseman in 2024.

Machado (elbow) is starting as San Diego's designated hitter for Saturday's Cactus League matchup against the Brewers.

Machado sat out the Padres' first few spring training games as he continued to work his way back from offseason elbow surgery, but it now seems he's ready to at least serve in a DH role. It remains unclear whether or not Machado will be able to cover third base by the time the Padres open the season against the Dodgers on March 20.

Bohm won't play in any Grapefruit League games this weekend due to neck spasms, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

The severity of the injury hasn't been disclosed, but for now Bohm will be held out of spring games. The 27-year-old still has plenty of time to get healthy before Opening Day as he looks to build on his strong 2023 performance.

Reds manager David Bell said Thursday that he expects Marte (hamstring) to make his Cactus League debut March 2 versus the Rockies, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The young infielder will be held out for roughly the first week of spring training games while he continues to heal up from the Grade 2 hamstring strain he suffered in late November while playing in the Dominican Winter League. Marte hasn't experienced any setbacks while taking part in workouts since the beginning of spring, but the Reds are being mindful of managing his workload early on in camp. He's still on track to be ready to go for Opening Day, but Marte might not be guaranteed a full-time role despite posting a solid .822 OPS over 123 plate appearances with the big club in 2023 following his late-season call-up. Even though the Reds let Joey Votto walk in free agency, the team signed Jeimer Candelario to a three-year, $45 million deal. Candelario is expected to see plenty of reps at third base on days he isn't being used at first base or designated hitter, and Jonathan India (foot) is also moving into a utility role in 2024 and could poach starts from Marte at the hot corner.

Padres manager Mike Shildt said Wednesday that Machado (elbow) will be ready to serve as a designated hitter in Cactus League games "sooner rather than later," AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Machado won't be in the lineup for the Padres' spring opener Thursday, but Shildt noted that the slugger is "trending in a really good place" as he works his way back from surgery to repair the extensor tendon in his right elbow. San Diego has an early start to its season with two games against the Dodgers on March 20 and 21 in South Korea, but Machado is tracking toward being ready for that series, even if he's deployed as a DH initially.

Marte (hamstring) will miss the Reds' first five spring training games, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The Reds have put Marte on a more "deliberate'" spring training schedule to avoid setbacks, and they still expect him to be ready by Opening Day.

Rivera played shortstop during the offseason in winter ball and is expected to be the backup there when the regular season opens, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Rivera has also played shortstop in previous winters, but the 27-year-old has not logged an inning there during his career in professional ball in the States. The organization clearly values Rivera, who is out of options, and it doesn't want to risk losing him. The right-handed batter can fill in against lefties, which starter Geraldo Perdomo had a .579 OPS against in 2023. A best-case scenario would have Rivera behind Perdomo at shortstop and backing up at third and first base.

Baty spent the offseason studying video and working to get his top hand stronger through his swing, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

"He's a typical right-hand thrower, left-hand bat where that top hand isn't your dominant hand," Mets assistant hitting coach Jeremy Barnes said. "That matters in keeping the barrel where you want to keep the barrel. It's just a matter of creating awareness around that, getting in a really good routine and then not trying to be perfect." A stronger top hand would create a more direct path to the ball and keep the 24-year-old's bat in the strike zone longer, hopefully improving his weak 69.1 percent contact rate from 2023. Baty is still the favorite to break camp as the Mets' starting third baseman, but if the club decides he needs more minor-league seasoning, veteran offseason addition Joey Wendle is available to platoon with Mark Vientos in Baty's place.