MLB Player News
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Alex Bregman 3B | CHC
Cubs' Alex Bregman: Hits first spring home run
Bregman went 2-for-2 with a walk and a solo home run in Sunday's Cactus League game against the White Sox.
Bregman connected for his first Cactus League home run as a member of the Cubs, and he's now slashing a robust .455/.571/.909 this spring. The talented third baseman will next play for the United States in the World Baseball Classic before returning to camp. Bregman dealt with a quadriceps strain last year that limited him to only 114 regular-season games for the Red Sox, his fewest in a season since 2021. He's fully healthy now and should slot into the heart of Chicago's lineup to begin the year.
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Michael Busch 3B | CHC
Cubs' Michael Busch: Not expected to be platooned
Cubs manager Craig Counsell suggested Saturday that Busch won't be deployed in a platoon to open the season and has earned the right to play regularly versus left-handed pitchers, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.
Busch is coming off a breakthrough 2025 campaign in which he slashed .261/.343/.523 with 34 home runs, but the left-handed-hitting first baseman was largely shielded from same-handed pitching and did the overwhelming share of his damage versus righties, whom he faced for 497 of his 592 regular-season plate appearances. The Cubs signed the right-handed-hitting Tyler Austin this winter with the intention of having him fill the short side of a platoon, but with Austin now set to miss multiple months after recently undergoing a knee procedure, Counsell appears content to give Busch a full run of at-bats at first base. While the added exposure to lefties could lead to a drop in his batting average, Busch could increase his output in the counting categories due to the higher overall volume of plate appearances.
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Brady House 3B | WAS
Nationals' Brady House: Keeps slugging Saturday
House went 2-for-3 with two doubles and a run scored in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets.
The 22-year-old third baseman has been swinging a hot bat to begin spring training. Through four games, House has gone 5-for-11 with two doubles and two homers while posting a 0:3 BB:K. Plate discipline remains a concern after he posted an atrocious 8:78 BB:K in 274 plate appearances during his big-league debut last season, helping drag down his .234/.252/.322 slash line, but House has power potential if he can learn to make more consistent contact.
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Nacho Alvarez Jr. 3B | ATL
Braves' Nacho Alvarez: Optioned to Triple-A
Atlanta optioned Alvarez to Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday.
The 22-year-old was attempting to earn a roster spot as a utility player, but he instead ends up being one of the first cuts of camp. Alvarez played 58 big-league games last season and had a .234/.296/.330 slash line with two home runs in 208 plate appearances.
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Graham Pauley 3B | MIA
Marlins' Graham Pauley: Good to go at DH
Pauley (forearm) is batting sixth as the designated hitter in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals.
Pauley has dealt with tightness in his right forearm early in camp, but he's set to make his spring debut Sunday. The 25-year-old likely won't be fully cleared until he's deemed ready to handle defensive duties, but he still has plenty of time to do so ahead of Opening Day.
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Rafael Devers 3B | SF
Giants' Rafael Devers: Halts all activity
The Giants will shut Devers (hamstring) down from all activities for the next 2-to-4 days, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
Devers was scratched from Friday's game with hamstring tightness, and the Giants will now act with extreme caution and allow their star slugger to rest. Once he begins participating in activities again, a clearer timeline for his return to Cactus League play may emerge.
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Graham Pauley 3B | MIA
Marlins' Graham Pauley: Returning Sunday
Pauley (forearm) will serve as Miami's designated hitter in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals, Stephen Strom of Marlins Radio Network reports.
Pauley's spring debut has been delayed this year due to forearm tightness, but he has seemingly made a full recovery and will begin playing in exhibition games this weekend. The 25-year-old slashed .224/.311/.366 with 11 RBI and 18 runs scored across 184 plate appearances with the Marlins last year and is the favorite to open the regular season as Miami's primary third baseman.
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Brett Baty 3B | NYM
Mets' Brett Baty: In Saturday's lineup
Baty (hamstring) will start at first base and bat fourth in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals.
Baty tweaked his hamstring during an offseason workout shortly before the start of spring training, but he's now been cleared to begin playing in exhibition games. Now that he's healthy, the 26-year-old is expected to compete with top prospect Carson Benge for the starting job in right field this spring. If Baty loses the battle, he will likely still make the Opening Day roster as a utility man.
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Rafael Devers 3B | SF
Giants' Rafael Devers: Scratched due to tight hamstring
Devers was scratched from Friday's Cactus League lineup against the Dodgers because of left hamstring tightness, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
It's not clear at this point whether Devers might be sent for an MRI, but the Giants will be cautious with their first baseman this early in spring training. Bryce Eldridge took his spot in the lineup Friday.
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Rafael Devers 3B | SF
Giants' Rafael Devers: Scratched from Friday's lineup
Devers was scratched from Friday's Cactus League lineup against the Dodgers, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
There's no word yet on the reasoning behind Devers being scratched. Bryce Eldridge entered the lineup in his place, batting second and playing first base.