MLB Player News

Hayes (thumb) will lead off and play third base Saturday against the Yankees.

Hayes had been held out of game action since Thursday while dealing with thumb soreness, but the injury never appeared to be a major one. He'd been able to hit in the cage despite the injury and should have plenty of time to get up to full speed by Opening Day.

Senzel (toe) is on track to make his Cactus League debut early next week, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Senzel has had some setbacks with his running as he works his way back from two surgeries on his fractured left big toe. However, he's made nice progress of late and Reds manager David Bell said Friday that Senzel's batting practice has been the best he's ever seen it. He would seem to still be a question mark for Opening Day, but if Senzel can keep moving in the right direction he's got a shot to avoid an injured list stint.

Hayes was held out of the Pirates' Grapefruit League lineup Thursday due to soreness in his left thumb, Chris Halicke of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Hayes did have no issue hitting in the cage, so this is perhaps just a minor blip. The 26-year-old third baseman has been plagued by a few different injuries in his young MLB career, including a lingering one around his left hand/wrist. It was lower-back trouble that largely took the blame after his rough .244/.314/.345 batting line last season.

Baty made a couple nice defensive plays in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros, Fiifi Frimpong of The New York Daily News reports.

The 23-year-old's defense at third base was a concern coming into camp, but Baty is putting in the work to convince the Mets he can handle a starting assignment. He's also been swinging a hot bat through the early part of the Grapefruit League schedule, going 9-for-19 with a double and a homer, and Baty still has a realistic shot at unseating Eduardo Escobar at the hot corner as soon as Opening Day.

Moustakas took live batting practice Wednesday, MLB.com reports.

Moustakas signed a minor-league deal with the Rockies on Sunday and has yet to appear in game action. However, he's participated in fielding drills and is now ramping up with the bat. After the injury to Brendan Rodgers (shoulder), it's possible that Moustakas will wind up on Colorado's Opening Day roster.

Reds manager David Bell said Tuesday that Senzel (toe) still isn't running at 100 percent, Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Senzel has been hitting and playing defense in both the outfield and infield during daily workouts at Reds camp, but he won't be exposed to live action until his running program is fully where it needs to be. The 27-year-old is still working back from multiple surgeries to repair a toe fracture in his left foot and seems questionable for Opening Day at this point. He'd probably have to start appearing in Cactus League games before mid-March to make it happen.

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.