MLB Player News

McMahon isn't starting Thursday's game against the Dodgers.

McMahon is expected to see plenty of playing time at second base with Brendan Rodgers (hamstring) sidelined to begin the year, but he'll take a seat on Opening Day with left-hander Clayton Kershaw on the mound for the Dodgers. Chris Owings will play second base Thursday, batting seventh.

Vargas cleared waivers Wednesday and was outrighted to Triple-A Iowa, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Vargas was designated for assignment by the Cubs after missing out on a spot on the team's Opening Day roster. However, Chicago hoped to keep him in the organization, and he'll report to the team's alternate camp in South Bend to begin the season. The 29-year-old appeared in 17 Cactus League games this spring and slashed .324/.343/.471 with one home run and five RBI.

Sosa, who has secured a utility spot on the Opening Day roster, went 2-for-2 with a solo home run in a Grapefruit League tie with the Mets on Monday.

Sosa put together a positive finish to a quiet spring with his only multi-hit effort of Grapefruit League play as well as his only round-tripper of the exhibition slate. The 25-year-old hit just .200 (5-for-25) this spring, but his ability to cover multiple positions and his solid track minor-league track record at the plate likely helped him latch onto a roster spot to open the campaign.

Arenado, who hit a solo home run in his only plate appearance during a Grapefruit League tie with the Mets on Monday, finished spring hitting 4-for-8 with two doubles, the homer, a walk and two runs over his final three exhibitions.

Arenado's round tripper ensured the slugger didn't head into his first Cardinals campaign without going deep in spring play, and his overall body of work over the final three contests was encouraging, considering he was hitting just .184 prior to that stretch. Arenado has previously said he ideally needs at least 50 spring at-bats to get his timing down, and he finishes Grapefruit League play having slashed .239/.321/.370 over 53 plate appearances overall.

Hayes went 1-for-2 with his second home run of the spring Wednesday against Minnesota.

The 24-year-old closes out Grapefruit League action with a .431 batting average in 51 at-bats, including 10 extra-base hits, nine RBI and two stolen bases. Fantasy owners are expecting much from Hayes, who still retains his rookie status. He hit .376 in 85 at-bats last summer, thanks to a .450 BABIP. His minor-league career slash line of .279/.354/.399 seems like a more reasonable expectation for 2021.

Manager Derek Shelton said Monday that Newman will head into Opening Day as the Pirates' regular shortstop, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

After taking a big step back at the plate during the abbreviated 2020 campaign, Newman entered the spring having to battle with the likes of Erik Gonzalez and Cole Tucker for an everyday role in the middle infield. Newman was able to easily separate himself from the competition, recording a whopping 20 hits in 29 at-bats (.690 average) while going 2-for-3 on stolen-base attempts through his first 12 Grapefruit League games. While this level of production is obviously unsustainable, Newman's bat-to-ball skills and willingness to run should at least make him a decent late-round target for fantasy managers looking for a boost in batting average and steals. He's just two years removed from a season in which he hit .308 with 16 stolen bases over 130 games.

Escobar (illness) will bat third and play third base Monday against the Cubs, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Escobar missed Sunday's game against the White Sox with a non-COVID illness, but it was evidently a minor one. A one-day absence shouldn't have any impact on his readiness for Opening Day.

Senzel (groin) will bat sixth and play center field Monday against the Mariners.

Senzel had been dealing with a mild groin strain for the past few days, but his readiness for Opening Day wasn't thought to be at risk. He's set to be the Reds' everyday center fielder this season and will face minimal competition to start the year, as Shogo Akiyama (hamstring) will miss the beginning of the season.

Escobar was scratched from Sunday's Cactus League lineup with a non-COVID illness, Zach Buchanan of The Athletic reports.

The 32-year-old was set to start at third base and bat third, but he'll instead take it easy Sunday. The specifics of the illness remain unclear, but it shouldn't affect Escobar's availability for Opening Day.

Senzel (groin) was able to complete a live batting practice session Sunday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Senzel has been out of the Cactus League lineup since Thursday while managing a left groin strain, but if all goes well Sunday, the Reds believe he'll be ready to start in their spring finale Monday against the Mariners. The 25-year-old is projected to begin the season as Cincinnati's everyday center fielder and leadoff man.