MLB Player News

Moustakas is competing with Gavin Sheets for the final roster spot with the White Sox, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Moustakas isn't currently on the 40-man roster, and he hasn't made much of a case to stick with the team with his play. Across 41 plate appearances in the Cactus League, he's struck out 29.3 percent of the time and has only two extra-base hits. Even so, he could be on the right side of the competition, as Sheets has one minor-league option remaining.

Mead appears to have won a roster spot with the Rays this spring, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Mead looked to be on the wrong side of a roster crunch entering spring training, but injuries to Jonny DeLuca (hand) and Josh Lowe (oblique) have Amed Rosario projected to see more time in the outfield. With the Rays also optioning Osleivis Basabe on Monday, Mead appears to have a clear path to a roster spot. He doesn't project to start regularly, but he could get some short-side platoon at-bats and will provide insurance at both second and third base.

Wisdom (back) has not shown improvement in the past few days, and the team is awaiting imaging results to determine next steps, MLB.com reports.

Wisdom's back issue was initially believed to be fairly minor, though it's somewhat concerning that he hasn't shown improvement yet. At this point, it's unclear if the 32-year-old will be ready in time for Opening Day. Wisdom would likely only have a bench role for the Cubs if healthy, so his fantasy utility may be limited this year, unless he's able to seize a larger role than expected at some point.

With Gio Urshela not locked into the starting third base job yet, McKinstry may have a path to more regular playing time at the hot corner, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Petzold went on to note that McKinstry is still likely best suited for a utility role off the bench, but the uncertainty at third base could work in his favor. For now, Urshela along with Matt Vierling seem like the top options at the hot corner, with McKinstry available there and elsewhere across the diamond. The 28-year-old offers nice versatility, though he's never produced much offensively at the MLB level.

Suarez went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Wednesday's spring game against Colorado.

Suarez hit his second spring homer and is 8-for-30 with three extra-base hits and five RBI in exhibition play. After dealing with a side injury earlier in camp, Suarez told Michael Reynolds of MLB.com that he's "healthy and ready to go." He'll serve as Arizona's primary third baseman.

Angels manager Ron Washington said he's experimenting with Rendon batting leadoff in Wednesday's Cactus League game since the team doesn't have an ideal option, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Rendon wouldn't offer much speed at the top of the lineup with just two steals in each of the past two seasons, but he does have a career 11 percent walk rate. The 33-year-old has primarily hit third or fourth since joining the Angels in 2020, but his spot in the order at this point is really secondary. Rendon has played in just 148 games over the past three seasons, and even when available he hasn't been particularly productive with a .701 OPS.

Moncada was a late scratch from the White Sox's Cactus League lineup Wednesday against the Reds due to illness, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

He should be ready to return to action in a day or two. Mike Moustakas replaced Moncada at third base Wednesday.

Davis is 3-for-5 with a double over his first two Cactus League games with the Athletics on Sunday and Monday.

The new veteran addition has wasted no time making his mark with his pair of productive performances. Davis projects to hold down the primary role at third base once the regular season begins, and he'll have several more opportunities in spring play to continue tuning up for that assignment.

LeMahieu (foot) on Wednesday didn't rule out being ready for Opening Day, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

LeMahieu is dealing with a bone bruise in his right foot which is causing plenty of discomfort. The Yankees have only five more Grapefruit League games after Wednesday's contest and it doesn't sound like LeMahieu is a given to play in any of them. However, the 35-year-old said that he's "had plenty of at-bats" and is "pretty much ready" for the start of the season. If the team opts to hold LeMahieu out for a bit, Oswaldo Cabrera would be in line for third base duties.

Urshela has yet to lock down the Tigers' third base job, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Petzold writes that Urshela remains "Plan A" at third base, but he's receiving competition from "Plan B" Matt Vierling, with Zach McKinstry and Andy Ibanez also in the mix but on the periphery. The Tigers might ultimately not settle on an everyday guy at the hot corner, especially since all of the players in the competition are capable of playing multiple positions.