MLB Player News
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Emmanuel Rivera 3B | BAL
Diamondbacks' Emmanuel Rivera: Launches walkoff home run
Rivera went 1-for-2 with a three-run walkoff home run in Monday's spring game against the Cubs.
Rivera has appeared in two games and leads the Diamondbacks with five RBI in Cactus League play. He's competing for a bench role with Pavin Smith and Kyle Lewis (legs), but the fact that Rivera was still in the lineup at the end of an early spring game suggests he's behind in the battle.
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Patrick Wisdom 3B | SEA
Cubs' Patrick Wisdom: Scratched due to groin soreness
Wisdom was scratched from Monday's split-squad Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks due to left groin soreness, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
The Cubs are characterizing Wisdom's removal from the lineup as precautionary, so he can be viewed as day-to-day until another update is provided. Jake Slaughter will start at third base in Wisdom's place versus Arizona.
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Matt Reynolds 3B | CIN
Reds' Matt Reynolds: Getting MRI
Reynolds will undergo an MRI after leaving Saturday's Cactus League game against the Giants with a quadriceps cramp, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Reynolds left in the fourth inning after shortly after picking up a single in his only at-bat of the game against San Francisco. The 32-year-old is attending camp as a non-roster invitee and is in contention for a reserve gig. He's battled back and knee soreness so far this spring, and his latest injury may further hinder his efforts to break camp with Cincinnati.
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Jared Triolo 3B | PIT
Pirates' Jared Triolo: Healthy for spring training
Triolo (knee) played four innings at first base and went 0-for-1 with a walk Saturday in the Pirates' 9-7 loss to the Blue Jays in the Grapefruit League opener.
Triolo, who was added to the Pirates' 40-man roster over the offseason, missed the final few weeks of Double-A Altoona's 2022 campaign while recovering from a hyperextended left knee. The 25-year-old is seemingly healthy again and could get the chance to make his MLB debut at some point in 2023 for the rebuilding Pirates, but he's likely to head to Triple-A Indianapolis at least for the start of the season. Per Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic, Triolo has played third base for most of his minor-league career but is expected to get exposure to the other corner-infield spot as well as shortstop and the outfield this spring.
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Kevin Newman 3B | LAA
Reds' Kevin Newman: Good to go Monday
Newman (illness) will start at shortstop and bat fifth in Monday's Cactus League game against the Rangers.
Newman didn't appear in the Reds' first two Cactus League games over the weekend after he missed a few workouts due to a bout with food poisoning, but the veteran infielder looks like he's good to go heading into the first full week of exhibition play. The 29-year-old is the likely frontrunner for the Opening Day starting nod at shortstop, though he'll have to fend off Jose Barrero for those duties during spring training.
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Matt Reynolds 3B | CIN
Reds' Matt Reynolds: Managing cramping
Reynolds was removed from Sunday's spring game against the Giants due to cramping in both legs, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.
Reynolds batted fifth as the designated hitter and singled in his lone plate appearance before he exited during the fourth inning. The 32-year-old came into spring training battling back and knee soreness, but the removal from his spring debut Sunday apparently wasn't related to those issues.
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Nick Senzel 3B | LAD
Reds' Nick Senzel: Could see games by mid-March
Manager David Bell said Sunday that Senzel (toe) could be ready for game action sometime in mid-March, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Senzel is finishing up his recovery from offseason toe surgery and is currently tracking pitches before moving on to live batting practice. Assuming the 27-year-old is cleared for game action within the next few weeks, he should have enough time to get ready for the Opening Day.
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Manny Machado 3B | SD
Padres' Manny Machado: Agrees to $350 million extension
Machado and the Padres are finalizing an 11-year, $350 million extension Sunday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
The 30-year-old had six years and $180 million remaining on his previous contract (including the upcoming campaign) but recently confirmed plans to exercise his opt-out at the end of the 2023 season. Instead, he's reached a new deal with San Diego that should keep him around until 2034. Machado delivered his typical All-Star level of production last season with an .897 OPS, 32 home runs, 37 doubles, 102 RBI and 100 runs in 150 games, which earned him second place in voting for the National League MVP.
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Evan Longoria 3B | ARI
Diamondbacks' Evan Longoria: Back at camp
Longoria (illness) returned to camp Saturday after missing time with strep throat, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.
Longoria is the leading candidate to start at third base. He's perceived as a better glove than last year's primary starter at the hot corner, Josh Rojas, who went 1-for-3 with a run-producing double in a spring game against the Rockies.
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Matt Reynolds 3B | CIN
Reds' Matt Reynolds: Quick return from injury
Reynolds (back/knee) is batting fifth as the designated hitter in Sunday's spring game against the Giants, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.
Manager Dave Bell said last weekend that Reynolds would be unavailable for the start of Cactus League action due to back and knee soreness, but his presence in the lineup Sunday indicates neither issue is a serious concern. The 32-year-old faces an uphill battle to make the Reds' Opening Day roster after he was removed from the 40-man roster in January.