MLB Player News

Riley went 2-for-3 with two homers and three RBI in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays.

The long balls didn't come against minor-league arms either, as Riley took Shane McClanahan deep in the second inning before dropping a Matt Wisler offering just over the wall in left-center field three innings later. Riley is coming off a breakout 2021 campaign in which he slugged 33 homers and 107 RBI while slashing .303/.367/.531, and the 24-year-old third baseman figures to be a fixture in the heart of the Atlanta offense for years to come.

Moustakas (shoulder) didn't practice Wednesday, but the Reds are confident that he will be fine, and could return to game action as soon as Saturday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Manager David Bell is taking extra precautions with Moustakas, who missed a considerable portion of the season last year with an injury that lasted longer than he or the Reds expected. "(I) don't want to push him," Bell said. "I already took him out of the lineup for (Thursday) and we'll shoot for Saturday. I haven't heard any indication why it would be any longer than that."

Farmer agreed to a one-year, $3.155 million contract with the Reds on Tuesday to avoid arbitration, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports.

Farmer appeared in 147 games for Cincinnati last year and hit .263/.316/.416 with 16 home runs, 60 runs and 63 RBI in 529 plate appearances. The 31-year-old is poised to open the 2022 campaign as the Reds' primary shortstop.

Vargas 2-for-3 with a two-run home run in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Mariners.

Vargas did not go deep in 34 games at the MLB level last season with three different teams, so the power is a bit of a surprise. With the Cubs adding Andrelton Simmons in the offseason, and Nick Madrigal (hamstring) also getting healthy and joining the mix in the middle infield, Vargas may get squeezed from the MLB roster. A strong spring could help his cause, or at least make him a more likely call-up candidate down the road if he plays well at the Triple-A level.

Manager David Bell said Moustakas is fine and has full range of motion in his left shoulder after exiting Tuesday's spring game against the Dodgers, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Moustakas suffered the injury when he landed on his shoulder while making a diving attempt in the field Tuesday. The 33-year-old could take it easy for a couple days, but by the sounds of it he should be able to return to game action before too long.

Davis and the Mets agreed Tuesday on a one-year, $2.76 million contract, avoiding arbitration, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Davis won't receive much of a pay increase from his 2021 salary ($2.1 million) after his offensive production lagged well behind the pace of his breakout 2019 campaign (.896 OPS) for the second straight year. Though the 28-year-old was at least a well-above league-average performer in 2021 with a .285/.384/.436 slash line (130 wRC+), his lack of defensive utility along with the Mets' improved options at the corner-infield and corner-outfield spots hampered his playing-time outlook. Davis is healthy again after undergoing a procedure in October to address a hand injury that nagged him at points last season, but even with the designated hitter coming to the National League, the Mets don't look like they'll have room in the everyday lineup for him.

Moustakas left Tuesday's game against the Dodgers with an apparent left arm injury, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Moustakas appeared to hurt either his shoulder or wrist after attempting a diving defensive play. The nature and severity of the injury are not yet clear. Moustakas looks like the Reds' primary third baseman this season provided he's able to remain healthy following an injury-plagued 2021 season.

Anderson agreed to a one-year, $4.475 million contract with the Marlins on Tuesday, avoiding arbitration, Craig Mish of SportsGrid.com reports.

Anderson will receive a modest raise in his second season of arbitration eligibility following a down 2021 season. Shoulder and oblique issues limited him to 67 games, and he hit just .249/.337/.378 when available. With the Marlins bringing in Joey Wendle this offseason, Anderson is expected to see more reps in the outfield in 2022 as he aims to maintain an everyday spot in the lineup.

Sosa entered the spring in competition with Paul DeJong to be the Cardinals' Opening Day shortstop, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

DeJong has a slight edge for the starting role at this point, but Sosa is right in the mix. Through three spring games, Sosa is 2-for-7 with a double and three RBI, though he's also struck out four times. The 26-year-old may not win the starting job out of spring training, but he figures to keep the position a competition throughout 2022. Sosa hit a solid .271/.346/.389 with six home runs, 27 RBI, 39 runs scored and four stolen bases in 113 contests last season.

Kieboom has been diagnosed with a sprained UCL in his elbow in addition to a flexor mass strain in his forearm, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports.

The additional issue helps explain why the Nationals placed him on the 60-day IL. Kieboom will be shut down and rested for at least six weeks before being allowed to resume baseball activities, so his absence could extend well past 60 days, but the club is hoping he will be able to avoid Tommy John surgery -- which would be the likely next step if the ligament strain becomes a full tear. Non-roster invitee Maikel Franco is the current favorite to see most of the playing time at third base while Kieboom is out of action.