MLB Player News
-
Josh H. Smith SS | TEX
Rangers' Josh Smith: Plays fifth different position
Smith started in right field and went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Tuesday's spring game against the Athletics.
Smith started at a fifth different position Tuesday -- he's also defended first base, shortstop, third base and center field -- and manager Bruce Bochy plans for him to play all fielding positions except catcher this spring, Shawn McFarland of the Dallas Morning News reports. The home run was Smith's first of the Cactus League, and he's batting .316 (6-for-19) through seven outings.
-
Marcelo Mayer SS | BOS
Red Sox's Marcelo Mayer: Battling stomach bug
Mayer won't be available for Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates while he recovers from a stomach illness, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.
The stomach bug appears to be making its way around Red Sox camp, as fellow top prospect Roman Anthony fell ill earlier this week and will also remain out of the lineup Tuesday. Mayer should require just a few days to move past the ailment, but his time in big-league camp is likely to come to an end in the near future anyway. The 22-year-old shortstop is expected to open the 2025 season at Triple-A Worcester and could make his big-league debut at some point later on in the campaign.
-
Vaughn Grissom SS | LAA
Red Sox's Vaughn Grissom: Stacking starts at second base
Grissom leads the Red Sox with six starts at second base this spring, Joe Weil of WEEI reports.
Top prospect Kristian Campbell has only started once at the keystone while getting three starts in left field. Grissom is limited to second base, so it makes sense that he wouldn't be playing other positions, but if the Red Sox happen to start the season with Masataka Yoshida (shoulder) on the injured list, Grissom could be the Opening Day starter at second base.
-
George Lombard SS | NYY
Yankees' George Lombard: Turning heads this spring
Through seven Grapefruit League games, Lombard has gone 3-for-11 with two home runs, three runs and three RBI.
Lombard was invited to big-league spring training despite having yet to rise above the High-A level, and he's making the most of the opportunity. The 19-year-old hit his second long ball of the spring Monday, launching a shot to left-center field in the eighth inning against the Pirates. Lombard isn't a realistic candidate to make the Opening Day roster, but he's one of New York's top prospects and could advance to Double-A ball this year if he continues to take positive steps in his development.
-
Ernie Clement SS | TOR
Blue Jays' Ernie Clement: No concussion or fractures
Clement did not suffer any fractures and is not dealing with any concussion symptoms as a result of a hit-by-pitch in the face during Monday's game against the Tigers, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports
It was a scary situation when Clement was struck by a 91.3 mph Ty Madden fastball, but the infielder has managed to escape with merely a lip laceration and contusion. Projected to be the Blue Jays' primary third baseman this season, Clement should be considered day-to-day.
-
Bo Bichette SS | NYM
Blue Jays' Bo Bichette: Clubs first spring homer
Bichette went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.
The shortstop crushed a Tanner Banks pitch down the left-field line in the third inning for his first long ball of the spring. Bichette appears laser-focused on putting his rough 2024 season behind him, going 5-for-16 (.313) with two doubles, plus Sunday's homer, through his first six Grapefruit League games.
-
Ernie Clement SS | TOR
Blue Jays' Ernie Clement: Exits after HBP in face
Clement was removed from Monday's game against the Tigers after being hit in the face by a pitch, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Clement was struck by a 91.3 mph fastball from Ty Madden and walked off the field with a trainer while holding a bloody towel to his face. The Blue Jays are saying for the time being that Clement is dealing with a lip laceration and contusion, although it's not clear whether he still needs to undergo additional testing. Clement is expected to open the season as Toronto's primary third baseman.
-
Colson Montgomery SS | CHW
White Sox's Colson Montgomery: Resting through off day Tuesday
Montgomery (back) will continue to be held out of action through the White Sox' off day Tuesday before being re-evaluated, LaMond Pope of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Manager Will Venable said Sunday that Montgomery is "progressing well" as he recovers from back spasms, an injury which first popped up last Thursday. Montgomery has not resumed baseball activities, so a return to game action doesn't appear imminent. The 23-year-old is competing to be Chicago's starting shortstop and the longer the injury lingers, the better the chances are that he opens the season back at Triple-A Charlotte.
-
Sebastian Walcott SS | TEX
Rangers' Sebastian Walcott: Reassigned to minors camp
The Rangers reassigned Walcott to minor-league camp Monday.
Walcott was one of a host of roster cuts for the Rangers. Slated to turn 19 later this month, Walcott made a great impression at the plate this spring during his few opportunities, going 4-for-8 with three doubles and a home run. He's one of the top prospects in all of baseball and is likely headed back to Double-A Frisco to begin the 2025 campaign.
-
Trey Sweeney SS | DET
Tigers' Trey Sweeney: Not a lock for shortstop job
Sweeney is not a given to open the season as the Tigers' primary shortstop, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.
In his latest Opening Day roster projection, Stavenhagen has Javier Baez and Zach McKinstry sharing the shortstop job and Sweeney opening the season at Triple-A Toledo. Nothing has been decided, as Sweeney could still very well start at the position at least against right-handed pitching, but the gig won't be handed to him. Sweeney hit .218/.269/.373 with four home runs over 36 regular-season contests for the Tigers in 2024 before going 2-for-22 at the dish in seven postseason games.