MLB Player News
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Tristan Gray SS | MIN
White Sox's Tristan Gray: Fails to make team
The White Sox reassigned Gray to minor-league camp Wednesday.
Gray turned in a .977 OPS this spring and some reports suggested that he might even get some starts at shortstop with the White Sox, but he ultimately wasn't able to crack the big-league roster. He'll begin the season at Triple-A Charlotte.
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Royce Lewis 3B | MIN
Twins' Royce Lewis: Yet to begin baseball activities
Lewis (hamstring) has yet to begin baseball activities, besides throwing, and the swelling in his injured hamstring could last two weeks, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports.
Lewis is set to begin the season on the injured list after suffering a moderate left hamstring strain March 16. While there's no timetable for his return, it sounds like he could be out until late April if it's going to be a few weeks before he's able to ramp up his activity.
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Nacho Alvarez Jr. 3B | ATL
Braves' Nacho Alvarez: Goes on IL
Atlanta placed Alvarez on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with left wrist inflammation.
Alvarez tweaked the wrist in late February and the injury lingered long enough to force an IL stint. The 21-year-old will be eligible to return April 4, but it's unclear whether he'll be ready at that time and he seems likely to be sent to the minors once healthy.
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Cam Smith 3B | HOU
Astros' Cam Smith: Makes Opening Day roster
Smith will be included on the Astros' Opening Day roster and is expected to start in right field Thursday against the Mets, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
The 22-year-old top prospect still needs to be officially added to the 26-man and 40-man rosters, but that's just a formality at this point. After being acquired from the Cubs in the Kyle Tucker trade in December, Smith began taking reps in right field during spring training, and he hit the cover off the ball in Grapefruit League action with four homers and a .342/.419/.711 slash line in 43 plate appearances. The 2024 first-round pick has just 32 minor-league games under his belt, but it appears he'll occupy a prime spot in the lineup for his first taste of the big leagues, as he's batting fifth in Tuesday's exhibition versus Triple-A Sugar Land.
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Cam Smith 3B | HOU
Astros' Cam Smith: Another start in right field
Smith is starting in right field and batting fifth in Tuesday's exhibition game versus Triple-A Sugar Land.
Smith started in right field and hit sixth against Sugar Land on Monday, contributing a two-RBI triple. Most of the Astros' regulars were in the lineup for both games, which seems to bode well for Smith's chances of being named the starting right fielder. Chas McCormick is starting in center field Tuesday after entering mid-game to play center field Monday.
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Josh Jung 3B | TEX
Rangers' Josh Jung: Out Tuesday, should play in opener
The Rangers scratched Jung (neck) from the lineup for Tuesday's exhibition against the Royals.
Jung was initially slated to start at third base and bat fifth in the Rangers' spring finale, but he'll instead get more time to recuperate after he was pulled from Monday's game against the Royals due to neck stiffness. The decision to scratch him from Tuesday's contest seems to be precautionary, as Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young expressed confidence that Jung will be back in the lineup for Thursday's season opener versus the Red Sox, per Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News.
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Josh Jung 3B | TEX
Rangers' Josh Jung: Back in lineup Tuesday
Jung (neck) will start at third base and bat fifth in Tuesday's exhibition game versus the Royals.
Jung was pulled from Monday's game with neck stiffness, but his removal was precautionary and he's now back in the lineup. Barring a setback, he'll be ready to roll for Thursday's opener against the Red Sox.
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Eric Wagaman 1B | MIN
Marlins' Eric Wagaman: Could benefit from Norby injury
Wagaman could be in store for steady playing time at third base or designated hitter to begin the season after manager Clayton McCullough announced Tuesday that Connor Norby (oblique) will be out for about four weeks, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.
Norby's injury will likely pave the way for Graham Pauley to make the Opening Day roster as an extra infielder, but De Nicola relays that the Marlins are likely to lean primarily on Wagaman and Jonah Bride at the third base and DH spots early on. After making his MLB debut with the Angels late last season, the 27-year-old Wagaman was non-tendered in November before signing a one-year deal with Miami. He earned his spot on the Marlins' 26-man active roster after producing a .738 OPS over 53 plate appearances in Grapefruit League play.
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Graham Pauley 3B | MIA
Marlins' Graham Pauley: Likely to make Opening Day roster
Pauley is expected to land the final position player roster spot for the Marlins due to the fact Connor Norby (oblique) is slated for a stint on the 10-day injured list, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.
Pauley was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville earlier this month, but he has already rejoined the Marlins in Miami for their exhibition game versus the Yankees on Tuesday and is getting the start at third base. He could see some action at the hot corner while Norby misses the next four weeks. Eric Wagaman and Jonah Bride are also candidates to fill in at third base.