MLB Player News

Donaldson went 2-for-3 with two home runs and four RBI in a Grapefruit League game against Detroit on Tuesday.

Donaldson hasn't hit particularly well this spring -- he has a .226/.314/.548 slash line over 35 plate appearances -- but Tuesday's performance gives him three long balls and eight RBI over 12 games. The veteran appears set to open the campaign as the Yankees' starting third baseman, but the team has plenty of infield depth should Donaldson struggle. He hit just .222 with 15 home runs over 546 plate appearances last season, but it's also worth noting that Donaldson slugged 26 homers and hit .247 the year prior, so he could still have some gas left in the tank.

The Royals optioned Garcia to Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday.

Garcia was attempting to win a job with Kansas City this spring, and he appeared to have a good chance based on his .355 average and .891 OPS over 32 plate appearances in the Cactus League. Instead the 23-year-old will begin the 2023 campaign as a regular at Omaha. Garcia is ranked as one of the top prospects in the system and is virtually guaranteed to see action with the big-league club before the season comes to an end.

The Angels reassigned Cabbage to minor-league camp Tuesday.

Cabbage was dominating in Double-A last season, slashing .327/.434/.664 with 10 home runs and 32 RBI through 136 plate appearances, but his season was cut short in mid-May after he fractured his left forearm. He's done well in spring ball this year too, so the 25-year-old outfielder will likely begin 2023 in Triple-A.

Monasterio was reassigned Tuesday to the minor-league side of Brewers camp, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Monasterio was batting just .130/.286/.261 through 28 plate appearances this spring in Cactus League play. The 25-year-old infielder has yet to make his MLB debut.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Tuesday that he believes Sosa can play center field, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Sosa has logged two starts in center over the last three days, and it sounds like the Phillies want to continue running him out there as a potential right-handed-hitting complement to the left-handed-hitting Brandon Marsh. Sosa can also play all around the infield and is set up to function as a highly-active super-utilityman this year for the reigning NL champs.

Freeman was optioned to Triple-A Columbus by the Guardians on Tuesday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Freeman hasn't hit much this spring, going just 5-for-34 at the plate. It appears that the Guardians will carry Gabriel Arias and/or Richie Palacios as utility options on the Opening Day roster.

Nevin (oblique) will take full batting practice by the end of the week, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Nevin is two weeks removed from a left oblique strain and has made a nice recovery. Whether he has enough time to be ready for Opening Day is another question, as he's working with a tight window.

Groshans (shoulder) took batting practice Tuesday morning in Marlins camp, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

It's another step in the right direction for Groshans, who banged up his left shoulder earlier this month in a Grapefruit League game. The 23-year-old will seemingly be ready for the beginning of the season at Triple-A Jacksonville.

Miranda (shoulder) is expected to play first base for the Twins on Tuesday in their Grapefruit League contest versus the Rays, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Miranda has been limited to designated hitter duties while he works through some soreness in his right shoulder, but he's been throwing from 120 feet without issue lately. The plan is to mostly play him at third base this season and the club would like to get him into some spring games at the hot corner, but they could ease him back into things are first base initially, especially if Alex Kirilloff (wrist) isn't available. The shoulder has not affected Miranda at the plate, which his 1.079 OPS and three homers this spring can attest.

Davis is hitting .333 with four extra-base hits over 12 Cactus League games.

Davis has also struck out 12 times, but he's making enough contact to look ready for the 2023 season. The 29-year-old is expected to back up David Villar at third base, and Davis could also see time at first base and designated hitter. As a right-handed hitter, he may have to settle for a short-side platoon role if his bat goes cold once the games start counting. He's still hit well enough to make it a tough decision on a daily basis for manager Gabe Kapler to fill out his lineup card.