MLB Player News

Sosa is dealing with some tightness but is expected to be fine after having to exit Monday's game versus the Orioles following a hit by pitch on the right forearm, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Initial reports suggested Sosa was hit on the right hip, but evidently it was actually his forearm. Either way, he's expected to be fine. Sosa started at his natural shortstop position Monday, but he's also being tried out in center field this spring as he tries to increase his versatility.

Sosa was removed from Monday's game against the Orioles after being hit on the right hip by a pitch, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

It didn't look overly serious, and with it being the fourth inning Sosa's day might have been nearly over, anyway. While Sosa's removal seemed precautionary, we should find out more about his status soon.

Wisdom (groin) is starting at first base and batting third Monday versus the Mariners, Al Yellon of SB Nation reports.

Wisdom has been nursing a sore left groin recently, but the issue appears to be minor and he is back in the lineup Monday. The 31-year-old will likely see most of his work at the corner infield spots this season and will look to improve upon his disappointing .206/.298/.426 slash line from last year.

Candelario has replaced Vladimir Guerrero on the Dominican Republic's roster for the World Baseball Classic.

Candelario will join the Dominican Republic team after Guerrero had to withdraw from the roster due to knee trouble. The 29-year-old joined the Nationals after a disappointing 2022 season with the Tigers that saw him register a .633 OPS, 13 homers and a 129:28 K:BB over 467 plate appearances. He'll likely be a bench bat for the loaded DR lineup during the tournament.

Moustakas (calf) said Sunday that he's fully healthy, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Moustakas joined the Rockies on a minor-league contract Sunday morning, and the expectation is that he can help cover for the loss of Brendan Rodgers (shoulder) on the Colorado infield. He appeared in only 78 games for the Reds last season due to a range of different injuries. It was a calf strain that officially shut him down in August.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez said that Kieboom is dealing with shoulder discomfort and the club will slow him down and manage his return to the field, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Martinez says that Kieboom's shoulder doesn't bother him when he's hitting, but he's feeling sore after throwing. The former top prospect missed the entire 2022 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow and was already being eased into action. It seems very likely that Kieboom opens the year on the injured list.

Moustakas (calf) agreed Sunday to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Moustakas was released by the Reds shortly after being designated for assignment in January. The infielder has dealt with injuries the last few years, including a calf injury that caused him to miss the final six weeks of the 2022 campaign. He wasn't particularly effective when healthy last season as seen in a .214/.295/.345 slash line in 78 appearances. Moustakas will get a chance to win a spot on Colorado's bench to open the 2023 campaign, and a potentially season-ending injury to Brendan Rodgers (shoulder) might even give him a path to semi-regular playing time at third base.

Castro is in competition to start at second base along with Ji Hwan Bae and Tucupita Marcano, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Castro had an inconsistent season with the Pirates in 2022 -- he spent a large portion of the season in the minors -- but he posted a .788 OPS with 10 home runs across 200 plate appearances in the second half of the campaign. Through four games in spring training, Castro hasn't helped his cause by collecting only one hit and striking out five times in 13 plate appearances.

Groshans has been getting regular work at first base during Grapefruit League games to begin spring training, improving his odds of breaking camp on the 26-man roster, Jordan McPherson of The Miami Herald reports.

The Marlins don't have an established backup to Garrett Cooper at first base, so if Groshans shows he can handle the position, he could work his way into a bench role to begin the season. The 23-year-old's prospect status has dimmed the last couple of years as his projected power has never materialized, but after being acquired from the Blue Jays at the trade deadline last year, he batted a solid .262 through his first 17 big-league games. Groshans came up through Toronto's system as a shortstop, and he could wind up filling a multi-position utility role in Miami.

Madrigal likely won't have an everyday role in 2023, though he could hit leadoff when he does play, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Madrigal's path to an everyday role has become clouded with Dansby Swanson now in the fold and Nico Hoerner still around, though Madrigal should still rotate in at several positions. Chicago manager David Ross may choose to use Madrigal in the leadoff role from time to time, which would boost his fantasy value when he does find his way onto the lineup card.