MLB Player News

Mercedes went 1-for-2 with a double and a run scored in Monday's spring game against the Angels.

The White Sox have used Zack Collins and Mercedes in the first two games of Cactus League play while Yasmani Grandal deals with right-knee inflammation. The club is not going to push Grandal, who began ramping up activity Sunday and is expected to get plenty of at-bats to be ready for Opening Day. Mercedes, whose power stroke during 2020 spring training made headlines, may get some opportunities early this spring, but he's expected to be in the minors when camp breaks.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Choi (knee) is expected to make his Grapefruit League debut Wednesday against the Pirates, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

With his sore right knee responding well to drills in recent days, Choi looks poised to make his first appearance of the spring in the middle of the week. According to Adam Berry of MLB.com, Choi will likely serve as the Rays' designated hitter Wednesday before getting some work at first base in Thursday's game against the Twins.

Reyes (ankle) will serve as Cleveland's designated hitter and will bat cleanup in Monday's Cactus League game against the Royals.

The sprained right ankle Reyes picked up shortly before reporting to spring training still may be limited him from a mobility standpoint, but that's not a major component of the slugger's game anyway. So long as Cleveland is comfortable enough deploying him as a DH in spring games, Reyes should be able to pick up the at-bats he needs to get himself ready for Opening Day.

Rooker (forearm) will start in left field and will bat cleanup Monday in the Twins' Grapefruit League game against the Rays, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Rooker's rookie season came to a quick end in mid-September, when he was diagnosed with a fractured right forearm that required surgery. The 26-year-old was cleared to resume swinging a bat early in the offseason, and the Twins' decision to use him in the field rather than at designated hitter this early in spring training suggests he's already completed his throwing program. Rooker will get the opportunity to compete for a bench role with the big club during spring training, but since he still has three minor-league options remaining, there's a good chance he begins the season at Triple-A St. Paul, where he would be able to play on an everyday basis.

Solak started at second base and went 1-for-2 in Sunday's spring game against the Royals.

The competition for the Rangers' second base job is off and running. Solak will be given a shot to take the position away from Rougned Odor, who did not play in Sunday's spring opener.

Choi (knee) fielded groundballs and took batting practice before Sunday's Grapefruit League opener, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Choi sat out Saturday's workout with right knee soreness, so Sunday's activity level was a welcome sight. The first baseman will have a chance to make his Grapefruit League debut Monday against the Twins, and how his knee responds to Sunday's activity level will play a pivotal role in the decision on whether Choi at least fills a designated hitter role or suits up at all.

Stanton won't play in his first spring training game until at least Wednesday against Toronto, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.

Stanton is healthy entering the start of exhibition play, but the team is opting to hold him out for the time being. He could debut Wednesday night against the Blue Jays, though he'll likely continue to be eased into action over the course of the spring. Stanton is projected to primarily function as the team's DH this season due largely to an injury history that has limited him to only 41 games over the past two seasons.

Brantley will be forced to play more in the outfield this season with Yordan Alvarez back in action, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Brantley spent 26 games in the DH slot last season, as opposed to only 19 games in the field. With Alvarez very unlikely to play in the outfield, the DH slot will be less available to Brantley. The one possible route to DH starts for Brantley would be if Alvarez plays first base, but that would require moving Yuli Gurriel around.

Ohtani's fastball reached 100 mph in his bullpen session Saturday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Ohtani topped out at 90 mph during his first bullpen session, which was either the sign of yet more arm troubles for the two-way sensation or simply the sign of a pitcher gradually getting up to speed to start camp. Thankfully, recent bullpen sessions have shown that it was clearly the latter, as he's now throwing significantly harder. Ohtani's fastball averaged 96.7 mph during his rookie season back in 2018 before he was shut down from pitching due to elbow troubles, and it looks as though he could sit in that range again this year.

Choi didn't work out with the Rays on Saturday due to a sore right knee, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Manager Kevin Cash said that Choi's knee issue likely stemmed from "over work" during the first few days of camp, and he'll be limited in the near future. He won't be able to play in Sunday's Grapefruit League opener, but Cash said that he should be fine in the coming days.