MLB Player News
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J.P. Crawford SS | SEA
Mariners' J.P. Crawford: Feeling healthy entering new season
Crawford is batting just .214 with one home run and two RBI over 28 at-bats in the Cactus League, but he enters the 2025 season with a clean bill of health, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.
Following an injury-plagued season that saw him deal with an oblique strain and a fractured hand, Crawford is looking to put his tough 2024 campaign behind him. "I couldn't get in a rhythm and every time I started to hit good, those injuries popped up," Crawford said this past Monday. "It pretty much hurt every time I swung the bat." However, the 30-year-old infielder believes he's "in a great spot" health-wise this spring, and he's set to reprise his role as Seattle's everyday shortstop after hitting a career-low .202 across just 105 games last season.
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Gabriel Arias SS | CLE
Guardians' Gabriel Arias: Knocks homer
Arias went 1-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Saturday's spring game against Kansas City.
Arias launched his second Cactus League home run and has hits in five of his last six outings. Part of the competition for the starting job at second base, Arias may be leading the race, although Tyler Freeman has hit the best of the quartet with a .333/.419/.630 slash line in 31 plate appearances. Juan Brito and Angel Martinez are also in the mix.
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Jorge Mateo SS | BAL
Orioles' Jorge Mateo: Cleared for spring debut
Mateo (elbow) is starting at shortstop and batting seventh in Sunday's split-squad game against the Phillies, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.
Mateo underwent UCL reconstruction surgery on his left (non-throwing) elbow in late August and will be making his first start of spring training. The 29-year-old hasn't officially been ruled out for Opening Day, but manager Brandon Hyde recently said Mateo is unlikely to be available.
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Zach Dezenzo SS | HOU
Astros' Zach Dezenzo: Versatility could land roster spot
Dezenzo could make the Astros' Opening Day roster, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Dezenzo has racked up 33 at-bats and 34 plate appearances this spring while playing a combination of first base and both corner outfield spots. He's struck out at a 26.5 percent clip but also has four extra-base hits, and manager Joe Espada has noted the positive overall impression Dezenzo has made on the club. Even so, the status of Christian Walker (oblique) could ultimately dictate Dezenzo's fate to begin the campaign.
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Bobby Witt SS | KC
Royals' Bobby Witt: Returning to lineup
Witt (forearm) will start at shortstop and bat second in Saturday's Cactus League game versus the Guardians.
Witt suffered a bruised left forearm after getting hit by a pitch Wednesday, but the soreness has now subsided, and he's been given the green light to resume playing in exhibition games. With a .276/.364/.586 slash line alongside two home runs, four RBI and five runs scored over 11 contests this spring, the 24-year-old looks poised to have another great season in 2025.
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Trevor Story SS | BOS
Red Sox's Trevor Story: Good to go Saturday
Story (back) is starting at shortstop and batting cleanup in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.
The veteran shortstop was scratched early in the week due to back tightness but is ready to return to game action this weekend. Injuries remain a concern for Story given that he's played in just 69 games across the past two seasons, but he's currently healthy and on track to serve as Boston's shortstop for Opening Day.
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Wenceel Perez SS | DET
Tigers' Wenceel Perez: Back in action Saturday
Perez (back) is starting in center field and batting leadoff in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.
The 25-year-old has been dealing with lower-back tightness over the past week but will rejoin the starting nine Saturday after recently receiving a cortisone injection. Perez is expected to start in center or right field Opening Day for the Tigers since Parker Meadows (arm) and Matt Vierling (shoulder) will be unavailable to begin the season.
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Wenceel Perez SS | DET
Tigers' Wenceel Perez: Gets injection, should avoid IL
Perez received a cortisone injection in his back Friday but is expected to be ready for Opening Day, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
The 25-year-old has been sidelined for the past week due to lower-back tightness, and he received the cortisone injection after a couple failed attempts to return to game action this week. Parker Meadows (arm) and Matt Vierling (shoulder) are poised to miss the start of the season, so Perez should play a significant role for the Tigers to begin the campaign, assuming he can avoid further complications.
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Bobby Witt SS | KC
Royals' Bobby Witt: Increases activities Friday
Witt (forearm) increased his baseball activities, including hitting, Friday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Witt was hit by a pitch in the left forearm during Wednesday's game against the Mariners, but he managed to escape with just a bruise and is easing back into workouts. It's not clear when Witt might be ready to play in Cactus League games again, but it shouldn't be long.
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Jorge Mateo SS | BAL
Orioles' Jorge Mateo: Nearing spring debut
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Friday that Mateo (elbow) could make his Grapefruit League debut soon but remains doubtful for Opening Day, Danielle Allentuck of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.
Mateo had already essentially been ruled out for the opener, so an injured list stint wouldn't be a surprise. He's making nice progress from UCL reconstruction surgery on his left (non-throwing) elbow, though, and will continue his ramp up in games soon.