MLB Player News

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.

Farmer remains entrenched as the Reds' starting shortstop with Jose Barrero out for six weeks with a wrist issue, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

It's possible, maybe even likely, that Farmer will remain the starter at shortstop even when Barrero is healthy enough to play. In previous camps he'd get work at multiple positions in anticipation of being a utility player, but this year he's exclusively getting reps at shortstop.

Senzel and the Reds agreed to a one-year, $1.25 million deal Monday, avoiding arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Senzel has reached the arbitration stage of his career without fully establishing himself, largely due to injury. In 616 career plate appearances split across the last three seasons, he's homered 15 times and stolen 18 bases while hitting .246/.308/.396. Opportunities are available for him to carve out a major role for the rebuilding Reds this season, particularly in center field, but health remains his biggest question mark.

Kieboom (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list Monday, Matt Weyrich of NBC Sports Washington reports.

Kieboom was diagnosed with a flexor mass strain in his right forearm this weekend, and the issue will force him to miss the first two months of the regular season. Maikel Franco is now the favorite to begin the year as Washington's primary third baseman, but Kieboom will be in the mix for the role once he's cleared to return.

McMahon signed a six-year, $70 million extension with the Rockies on Monday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The deal buys out the final two years of McMahon's team control and adds an additional four seasons, keeping the infielder around through the end of 2027, his age-32 season. McMahon hit 23 homers last season while slashing .254/.331/.449, good for a career-best (but still below-average) 95 wRC+. The extension is great news for those who have McMahon on their dynasty teams, as he'll now continue to have his numbers boosted by Coors Field for six more years, barring a trade.

Madrigal (hamstring) will start at second base and bat leadoff in Monday's Cactus League game against the Reds.

Madrigal will be making his spring and Cubs debuts Monday, as he didn't appear in a game for the North Siders after coming over in a July 30 deal with the White Sox since he was still recovering from surgery to address a torn right hamstring. Though the Cubs could look to limit Madrigal's early-season exposure to the keystone and use him as a designated hitter in an effort to limit the strain on his surgically repaired hamstring, his inclusion in the field early in spring training suggests the team is confident he's back to 100 percent health. Whether he's deployed at second base or DH in a given game, Madrigal's blend of contact skills and decent speed could make him a fit as a leadoff man, though his low walk rates may not give him much staying power atop the lineup.

Muncy (elbow) will start at third base and bat second in Monday's spring training matchup with the White Sox, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Muncy was forced to miss last year's postseason after injuring his elbow in the regular season finale, but he seems to be on track to be ready for Opening Day. With the addition of Freddie Freeman this offseason, Muncy will likely be the Dodgers primary designated-hitter this season but he may be asked to play both second base and third base in addition to getting the occasional start at first when Freeman is not in the lineup. The 31-year-old will look to pick up where he left off in 2021 where he hit 36 homers and drove in 94 runs with a slash of .249/.368/.895.

Muncy (elbow) is slated to make his spring debut Monday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Muncy hurt his elbow in last year's regular-season finale but has participated in baseball activities early in spring training. He played first base in a simulated game last week, and he'll make his Cactus League debut against the White Sox on Monday. It's not yet clear whether he'll face any limitations for Opening Day, but his progression early this spring has been encouraging.

Kieboom said Sunday he is expected to require 4-to-6 weeks to recover from the flexor mass strain near his right elbow, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Kieboom has been shut down from baseball activities and is scheduled to undergo testing once the swelling has subsided later this week to rule out a potential UCL tear, which would be a much more significant injury. Either way, the 24-year-old is poised to begin the campaign on the injured list. Maikel Franco, a non-roster invitee, is now the likely favorite to open the season at third base for Washington, though utility players Ehire Adrianza and Richard Urena could also be considered.

Kieboom (forearm) has been shut down from baseball activities and could begin the season on the injured list, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports.

The 24-year-old was diagnosed with a flexor mass strain Saturday, and while the Nationals don't have an official timetable for his recovery, the condensed spring makes it unlikely he'll be ready in time for Opening Day. "I feel bad for him," manager Dave Martinez said. "And honestly, I feel bad for us. We count on him to be our third baseman. And I'm not saying that he's not, but it's just going to take some time." Kieboom will undergo further testing this week once swelling has gone down to rule out a possible UCL tear, an injury that could result in Tommy John surgery and possibly sideline Kieboom for a much more significant length of time. Non-roster invitee Maikel Franco might now be the favorite to start at third base when the regular season begins, although utility players Ehire Adrianza and Richard Urena may also factor into the mix.