MLB Player News

Jung started at third base and went 0-for-3 in Monday's exhibition game against the Red Sox.

Jung, who missed much of the Cactus League with a calf issue, increased his activity following Sunday's spring debut. After playing three innings and getting two at-bats Sunday, Jung was in the field for six innings and had three at-bats Monday. He's expected to play Tuesday, when these same two teams meet, and could be in line for a full nine innings.

Madrigal (hamstring) is expected to avoid the injured list and be part of the Cubs' Opening Day roster, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Madrigal returned to Cactus League play Sunday after missing three weeks with a right hamstring strain. He'll finish the spring with just 19 plate appearances, but evidently the Cubs have deemed that sufficient. The 27-year-old is a candidate for some playing time at third base for the Cubs.

The Brewers informed Monasterio on Monday that he'll be included on the Opening Day roster, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Monasterio will be part of his first Opening Day roster after he impressed the Brewers with his on-base skills and defensive versatility last season upon receiving his first call to the big leagues in late May. While picking up 77 total starts between second base, third base and shortstop, Monasterio slashed .259/.330/.348 across 315 plate appearances. Though injuries to other infielders helped him secure steady playing time for much of his time in the big leagues last season, Monasterio is likely to handle a short-side platoon role to begin 2024. He'll be a candidate to replace Brice Turang at second base or Sal Frelick at third base when the Brewers face left-handed pitching.

Nevin is expected to win the Orioles' last bench spot on the Opening Day roster, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Nothing is official yet, but Ryan McKenna and Nick Maton were informed they missed out on roster spots Sunday, paving the path for Nevin to be a utility bat off the bench. Nevin hit .333 with two home runs, seven RBI and a 2:11 BB:K over 23 games in Grapefruit League play. He has no easy path to playing time, barring any external additions -- third base would appear to be the position most up for grabs to begin the season.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Monday that LeMahieu (foot) will begin the season on the injured list, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

It's confirmation of what manager Aaron Boone said Sunday was the likely result. Cashman added that LeMahieu is also dealing with inflammation in addition to a bone bruise in his right foot and will undergo another MRI later this week to see how the healing has come along. Because the IL move can be backdated, LeMahieu could return as soon as the Yankees' home opener on April 5, and Cashman didn't rule out the veteran infielder being ready by that date.

Lipscomb finished the spring batting .400 (20-for-50) through 21 Grapefruit League games with one home run, one stolen base and a 5:7 BB:K.

The 23-year-old hasn't played above Double-A yet after being a third-round pick in 2022, but Lipscomb was one of the most impressive prospects the Nationals had in camp, looking big-league ready as a defender at multiple infield positions while raking at the plate. The organization wants him to play every day and he isn't yet on the 40-man roster, which would seem to have him ticketed for Triple-A to begin the season, but presumed starting second baseman Luis Garcia has struggled this spring -- in the Grapefruit League finale against the Mets on Sunday, he committed his fourth error in 17 games. As a result, Washington is giving serious consideration to having Lipscomb be the double-play partner for CJ Abrams on Opening Day.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Sunday that LeMahieu (foot) is a "longshot" to be ready for Opening Day, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

LeMahieu has been taking part in some casual baseball activities, but it appears he may be opening the season on the injured list, If that's the case, Oswaldo Cabrera is the likely starter at the hot corner Opening Day in Houston.

Duffy opted out of his minor-league contract with the Rangers on Sunday and is set to become a free agent, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Duffy's decision to opt out of his deal with the Rangers is likely an indication that the team informed him he wouldn't be included on the Opening Day roster. The 33-year-old posted a .696 OPS over 17 Cactus League games this spring after slashing .251/.306/.325 across 206 plate appearances at the big-league level with the Royals in 2023. Duffy saw action at all four infield spots last season, so he could have some appeal to a club looking for an experienced utility player to its roster ahead of Opening Day.

The Diamondbacks reassigned Newman to minor-league camp Sunday.

After joining Arizona in January on a minor-league deal that included an invitation to big-league spring training, Newman posted an underwhelming .599 OPS over 20 games in Cactus League play to take himself out of consideration for a utility role. Unless he opts out of his minor-league deal and pursues opportunities with another organization, Newman is set to begin the season at Triple-A Reno.

Baty was informed Sunday he has made the Mets' Opening Day roster, and he could begin the season as the club's everyday third baseman since Mark Vientos was optioned, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.

A platoon at third base with Baty and Vientos seemed plausible after New York signed veteran slugger J.D. Martinez on Thursday, but Vientos will instead begin the campaign at Triple-A Syracuse. Baty posted a .212/.275/.323 slash line and 28.2 percent strikeout rate in 108 games last season, so he likely won't have a ton of job security if he continues to struggle in 2024.