MLB Player News

Workman could stay on the MLB roster once Nico Hoerner (forearm) returns, with Vidal Brujan losing his spot instead, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Workman made Chicago's roster for its two-game set in Tokyo last week, and the Rule 5 draft may be the favorite to stick around once Hoerner is back, which could be in time for the domestic opener later this week or soon after. In that scenario, Brujan would be designated for assignment, as he is out of minor-league options. If the Cubs prefer to keep Brujan and dump Workman, the latter would have to be returned to Detroit.

Vargas started at shortstop and went 3-for-4 with two doubles, one RBI and two runs scored in Saturday's spring game against San Francisco.

Vargas is making manager Torey Lovullo's decision difficult as the Cactus League wraps up. He and Garrett Hampson are vying for a utility role, as the manager decides on an Opening Day roster. Saturday's three-hit effort followed up a 4-for-5 output Thursday, when Vargas started at second base. Entering Sunday, he's batting .375 with six doubles, two home runs, 10 RBI, 10 runs scored and one stolen base. Hampson, who started in center field Saturday, is batting .300 through 17 Cactus League contests.

Machado went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in a Cactus League win against the Reds on Saturday.

Machado accounted for the only run in the contest with a 389-foot solo shot in the seventh inning. It was the veteran slugger's second long ball of the spring, and just his third RBI. Machado is slashing a modest .200/.250/.433 during the exhibition slate, but unlike last spring, he's been able to play the field regularly. He was limited to DH duties during most of the first month of the regular season last year after undergoing offseason elbow surgery, but that issue is long behind him, and Machado is slated to start at the hot corner on Opening Day against Atlanat on Thursday

Cook was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Cook was in the mix for a role at first base and in the outfield, though he will ultimately begin the season in Indianapolis. He hit only .160 with one extra-base hit across 25 at-bats in Grapefruit League action, but his defensive versatility could earn him a spot in Pittsburgh at some point during the campaign.

Baty went 2-for-3 with a double and a two-run home run in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.

The 25-year-old has been the most impressive hitter in camp for the Mets. Baty is batting .354 (17-for-48) through 18 spring appearances with six doubles, a triple and three homers, and he's shown improved defense as well as he splits time between second base and third base. Baty is expected to begin the season on the strong side of a platoon at the keystone with Luisangel Acuna while Jeff McNeil (oblique) is on the shelf, but he'll need to do better than his career .607 OPS in the majors to retain a significant role.

The Mariners optioned Shenton to Triple-A Tacoma on Saturday.

In his first spring with the Mariners after being traded from Tampa Bay during the offseason, Shenton went 9-for-34 with two RBI, four runs scored and 13 strikeouts. He'll now head to Triple-A to begin the 2025 campaign but could soon work his way back to Seattle, as he owns a .932 OPS across his Triple-A career.

Malloy (illness) is in the lineup for Saturday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta.

After turning the page on a stomach bug, Malloy will resume his bid for a bench spot on the Opening Day roster. The 25-year-old has made a compelling case so far, going 13-for-43 in exhibition play, though only three of those hits have gone for extra bases (all doubles).

Kreidler was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on Saturday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Kreidler hit two homers and drew 10 walks in 19 Grapefruit League games, but it wasn't enough to secure a spot on Detroit's bench to begin the regular season. The 27-year-old has appeared in the majors in each of the past three seasons, topping out at 84 big-league plate appearances in 2022.

Malloy was scratched from the lineup for Friday's split-squad game against the Yankees due to an illness, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

The 25-year-old was penciled in to bat leadoff but will instead sit out due to a stomach bug. Malloy likely isn't in danger of missing Opening Day and should be back in action within a few days.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Friday that Mead has made the Opening Day roster, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

Mead has been one of the best performers during Grapefruit League play, going an absurd 19-for-35 with one home run in 13 contests. Once the regular season begins, much of Mead's playing time likely will come versus left-handed pitching, although he could play his way into at-bats against righties, too, if he's able to carry over his performance from this spring. The 24-year-old has just a 78 wRC+ across 224 big-league plate appearances.