MLB Player News

With Freddy Galvis fighting shoulder and quadriceps injuries, Farmer has been getting extra game reps at shortstop and has been giving the Reds more confidence in his ability to play the position, John Fay of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The Reds don't have a true backup shortstop, so every game that Farmer gets there is pretty important to the Reds, especially because Galvis isn't the most stable starter at the position to begin with.

Sosa, who hit his second home run of spring in a Grapefruit League win over the Astros on Saturday after entering the game as a pinch runner, has a better chance at an Opening Day roster spot now that Yairo Munoz (hamstring) has been placed on unconditional release waivers, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Munoz abruptly left the Cardinals and headed back to his home in the Dominican Republic without informing team officials, leading to the move. Munoz's departure is certainly to Sosa's potential benefit, especially since the latter impressed in winter ball and has already made an impact this spring. Sosa is capable of playing both shortstop and third base, and he thrived at the highest levels of the minors last season by slashing .291/.335/.466 with 40 extra-base hits (18 doubles, five triples, 17 home runs) and 62 RBI across 118 games with Triple-A Memphis.

Davis (shoulder) will start in left field Sunday against Houston, Justin Toscano of The Bergen Record reports.

Davis' availability for Opening Day appeared to be potentially at risk when he jammed his shoulder in late February, but he's steadily made progress in recent days and will now return to game action. With over two weeks left before the start of the regular season, he should have plenty of time to get up to speed despite the delay.

Riley went 1-for-2 with a solo home run and a walk in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox.

He crushed an Eduardo Rodriguez offering over the left-field wall in the fourth inning for his second homer of the spring. Riley is making a strong case for a roster spot so far, slashing .333/.364/.667 through 22 plate appearances with a reasonable 1:4 BB:K, but the 22-year-old will need to convince the coaching staff he's a better option at third base than Johan Camargo if he wants to avoid being sent back to Triple-A Gwinnett to begin the season.

Segura (illness) is in the lineup for Saturday's spring game against the Red Sox.

Segura missed the last couple days as a result of his illness, but he is ready to get back on the field. He'll man the hot corner and hit second Saturday.

Davis (shoulder) took at-bats in a simulated game against Jacob deGrom on Friday, David Lennon of Newsday reports.

Davis is working his way back from a jammed left shoulder he suffered late in February. He's optimistic about his readiness for Opening Day, and the fact that he's participating in a simulated game with nearly three weeks left before the start of the regular season would seem to support that optimism.

Suarez (shoulder) took swings in the batting cage Friday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The 28-year-old continues to progress in his recovery from the right shoulder surgery he underwent in late January. Suarez doesn't have an official timeline for his spring debut, but the Reds still hope he'll be ready in time for Opening Day.

Anderson has consistently hit second in the Marlins' early spring contests, a likely indication of the regular-season batting order, Jordan McPherson of The Miami Herald reports.

Jonathan Villar has been in the leadoff spot, with Corey Dickerson and Jesus Aguilar slotting in behind Anderson. The 26-year-old posted career highs with 20 homers, 66 RBI and an .810 OPS last season, and he could be poised for even better numbers if he maintains a premium spot in the batting order.

Senzel (shoulder) will lead off while serving as the Reds' designated hitter Thursday in a Cactus League game against the Brewers, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The Reds are expected to ease Senzel back to action in a purely offensive role while he nears the finishing stages of his rehab from September surgery on his right shoulder. The 24-year-old has been able to take part in defensive drills in center field this spring, but the Reds want to see him make more progress in his throwing program before deploying him at the position during the Cactus League slate. Senzel is optimistic that he'll be fully cleared by the time Opening Day arrives, and the fact that he's leading off in his spring debut suggests that he could be a candidate for those duties during the regular season. Offseason pickup Shogo Akiyama likely represents Senzel's top threat for the table-setting job.

Segura was scratched from the lineup for Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays due to an illness, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

The Phillies don't believe Segura's illness is anything significant, so he'll presumably re-enter the lineup within the next few days. Alec Bohm will step in for Segura at third base, the position the 29-year-old is expected to play on a full-time basis in 2020.