MLB Player News

Senzel (hamstring) is starting in center field and hitting sixth Thursday against the Mariners.

He dealt with a minor hamstring issue but, as expected, it did not cost him much time. Senzel continues to get starts in center field in preparation to serve as the Reds' primary option there for most of 2019.

Duffy (hamstring) is not in the lineup for Thursday's spring game against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Duffy was scheduled to test his hamstring by running the bases Wednesday, and his results from that workout are uncertain. Regardless, he will get at least one more day to rest and recover.

Bregman (back) is not in the lineup for Thursday's spring game against the Marlins, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com.

Bregman will get the day off after leaving Wednesday's spring game with a sore back. Manager AJ Hinch expects Bregman to be back in the lineup for Friday's exhibition contest.

Wisdom entered Wednesday's game against the Giants as a replacement at first base. He went 0-for-2, and is hitting .136 (3-for-22) over 10 spring games.

For a while during the offseason, Wisdom looked like he was going to be the Rangers' starting third baseman. That was before the organization signed Asdrubal Cabrera, who is the favorite to start at the hot corner. As such, the Rangers are exposing Wisdom to first base -- he played three games there last season with the Cardinals -- to provide depth at both corner-infield positions.

Plouffe went 1-for-2 with a solo homer Wednesday against the Blue Jays.

Plouffe's ninth-inning shot off Mark Leiter was his first of spring. The veteran infielder now has two hits -- both of which have gone for extra bases -- in nine at-bats through six spring appearances.

Bregman left Wednesday's game against the Marlins with back stiffness, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The issue looks to be a minor one, as manager AJ Hinch said that Bregman would return to the lineup Friday against the Cardinals. Bregman has had a bit of a rough spring, as he missed time early while recovering from January elbow surgery, though neither issue is expected to threaten his readiness for Opening Day.

The White Sox reassigned Madrigal to their minor-league camp Tuesday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Madrigal hasn't played above the High-A level, so his inclusion in the White Sox's first round of spring cuts doesn't come as a surprise. The infielder was, however, billed as an advanced college bat when he was selected with the No. 4 overall pick last summer in the first-year player draft, and should move quickly through Chicago's farm system. He could open the upcoming campaign at Double-A Birmingham.

Senzel is dealing with hamstring tightness but is expected to return to game action Thursday or Friday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The injury doesn't appear to be a significant threat to Senzel's quest for an Opening Day roster spot, but the Reds will want him getting as much game time as possible as he tries to quickly learn center field. It remains unclear whether or not the Reds will find a reason to keep Senzel in the minors for a few weeks to earn an extra year of team control. If the hamstring issue lingers longer than expected, that could theoretically provide the team a ready-made excuse.

Donaldson went 3-for-3 with a home run and a double during a simulated game Wednesday, 680 The Fan Atlanta reports.

Donaldson's stellar showing at the dish indicates that he's ready to make his Grapefruit League debut, which is set to come Friday versus the Phillies. The veteran's delayed entry into spring games has been designed merely with maintenance in mind, as the 33-year-old reported to camp at full health after an injury-plagued 2018 campaign.

Astudillo will compete with Ehire Adrianza and Ronald Torreyes for the backup third base role to Marwin Gonzalez while Miguel Sano is sidelined for a month due to a foot injury, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Sano's injury means Astudillo is much more likely to make the final 25-man roster as a third catcher and utility player. His ability to show he can handle playing third base this spring will likely be paramount to him making the squad.