MLB Player News

Baty (back) will start at third base and bat cleanup in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.

The Mets scratched Baty from Wednesday's lineup due to back tightness, but the issue was described as minor and he seems to have already turned the page. Baty is sitting with a .669 OPS this spring, and while he still projects as the primary starter at third base, there have been rumors that the Mets are looking at bringing in J.D. Davis after Davis was cut loose by San Francisco.

Madrigal (hamstring) had resumed some baseball activity, including taking batting practice, Cubs.com reports.

Madrigal has been sidelined since March 4 due to the right hamstring strain, but he seems to be making progress. The utility player is expected to be back later this month, and with the Cubs beginning their year March 28 in Texas, he may not have to miss the start of the regular season. The team will likely be cautious with Madrigal for the rest of the spring schedule, however.

Baty was scratched from the Mets' lineup ahead of Wednesday's spring training game versus Houston due to minor back tightness, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Describing Baty's injury as "minor" suggests the team doesn't consider his back to be a huge issue, and Baty's availability for Opening Day shouldn't be affected. The 24-year-old infielder is 7-for-29 with a homer, three RBI and six runs scored so far this spring and projects as New York's primary third baseman despite a lack of offensive production so far in his young MLB career.

Muncy (illness) said Wednesday he will travel with the Dodgers to South Korea for the season-opening series against the Padres next week, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

The 33-year-old apparently lost 10 pounds while battling a virus for most of the past week, but it appears he'll be back in time for the start of the regular season. Muncy has a week to get his strength back before Opening Day next Wednesday, when he should be locked in at third base for Los Angeles.

Kieboom cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Rochester by the Nationals on Wednesday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Kieboom is somehow still just 26 but has never come close to cashing in on the hype he had as a prospect. The fact that he passed through waivers unclaimed shows that the Nationals aren't the only organization down on his long-term outlook. Kieboom should play regularly at Rochester in hopes of earning his way back on the 40-man roster.

Pauley has been told he will be on the Padres' roster for their March 20-21 series in South Korea against the Dodgers, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Pauley seems likely to start at third base while Manny Machado (elbow) is limited to designated hitter, at least against right-handed pitching. When Machado might be ready to play the field in games again isn't clear, but Pauley will have a chance until then to show he deserves to stick around. The 23-year-old slashed .308/.393/.539 with 23 home runs and 22 stolen bases over three minor-league levels in 2023 and should be on deep-league radars.

Muncy is away from the Dodgers' camp Tuesday due to illness, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

He hasn't been in the team's lineup for a few days, and the illness likely explains why that's the case. The Dodgers have just one more Cactus League game before heading to South Korea to take on the Padres in the first two regular-season contests March 20 and 21, but it's not clear whether Muncy will be ready to play in Wednesday's Cactus League contest versus the Mariners.

The Rockies optioned Carreras to Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday, Patrick Lyons of Just Baseball reports.

Carreras reached Albuquerque last season but had a down year overall in posting a .664 OPS, so he'll receive more development time. The 24-year-old should be Albuquerque's regular shortstop.

Burger started at first base in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

While the 27-year-old is locked in as the Marlins' starting third baseman, Burger does have some limited experience at first base and the club envisions having him move across the diamond on occasion, especially on days when Josh Bell is getting a partial breather as the DH. Burger is still trying to find his timing at the plate this spring, hitting .160 (4-for-25) with a 0:8 BB:K, but after slugging a career-high 34 homers in 2023, he's expected to hit in the heart of Miami's batting order this season.

Harrison is projected for a roster spot, per the latest roster projection from C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic.

The 80-game suspension handed out to Noelvi Marte opens up a roster spot that figures to come down to Harrison, Mike Ford or Tony Kemp. Rosecrans makes the point that of those three, Harrison provides the most versatility. He started games at four different defensive positions for the Phillies in 2023. Harrison is 3-for-16 with a double and an RBI in seven games this spring.