MLB Player News
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Orelvis Martinez 3B | TOR
Blue Jays' Orelvis Martinez: Goes yard in spring opener
Martinez went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.
Hitting ninth as the DH, Martinez launched a fourth-inning offering from Brandon Leibrandt over the fence in right-center field. Martinez could win a spot on the Opening Day roster with a big camp and even take over the starting job at third base, but it's his glovework and not his bat that will determine how quickly he's entrusted with those duties. The fact that he was used as the DH in the Blue Jays' spring opener, while Ernie Clement got the start at the hot corner, is a sign of how much the 23-year-old slugger needs to do on the defensive side to earn that opportunity.
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Bo Bichette SS | NYM
Blue Jays' Bo Bichette: Quick start to spring
Bichette went 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.
The 26-year-old shortstop is coming off the worst season of his career, and with free agency looming next winter, Bichette has every incentive to rebound. He hit leadoff Saturday, but George Springer is expected to handle those duties come Opening Day, with Bichette likely to hit second ahead of Vladimir Guerrero and Anthony Santander. Bichette was one of the most reliable hitters in the majors prior to last year's collapse, slashing .298/.339/.476 from 2021-23 while averaging 24.3 homers, 89.3 RBI, 93.7 runs and 14.3 steals a season.
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David Hamilton SS | BOS
Red Sox's David Hamilton: Starts at short in spring opener
Hamilton started at shortstop and went 0-for-3 with a walk, a stolen base and a run scored in Saturday's spring game against Tampa Bay.
Hamilton is caught up in a roster battle that also involves prospect Kristian Campbell and Vaughn Grissom, who started at second base Saturday. Trevor Story will be the starting shortstop, so Hamilton needs to make the team either as a starter at second base or more likely as a utility infielder. A case can be made for any of the players competing at second base, but it all goes up into flames if Alex Bregman becomes the club's starter at second base. Hamilton immediately showed his value, leading off the first inning with a walk and a steal before scoring on a Marcelo Mayer single.
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Vaughn Grissom SS | LAA
Red Sox's Vaughn Grissom: Starts Grapefruit League opener
Grissom started at second base and went 0-for-3 in Saturday's spring game against the Rays.
While third base has been the hot topic at the start of Boston's spring training, it has great impact on second base. That's where Grissom, Kristian Campbell and David Hamilton are competing for the starting job. Campbell came off the bench Saturday, going 0-for-1 with a walk and made a diving snare off a line drive in the seventh inning. The second-base battle becomes moot if the Red Sox opt to leave Rafael Devers at third base and have Alex Bregman start at second base.
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Cole Young SS | SEA
Mariners' Cole Young: Dealing with arm soreness
Young has been limited so far in spring training due to a sore right arm, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.
Young appeared as a pinch hitter during Seattle's spring opener and remained in the game as the DH. He didn't play in the team's second Cactus League contest, though that wouldn't be unusual regardless of the arm issue. Given his ability to swing the bat, Young's injury doesn't appear to be a serious concern, though it wouldn't be surprising if the Mariners take a cautious approach with the young infielder. Young racked up 551 plate appearances at the Double-A level last season and could make his MLB debut sometime during the upcoming campaign.
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Gabriel Arias SS | CLE
Guardians' Gabriel Arias: Gets first crack at 2B
Arias started at second base and went 1-for-2 in Saturday's spring game against Cincinnati.
Second base is one position battle playing out during the Guardians' spring training. Arias was given the first start of the Cactus League -- he lined a slider to center field for a single in his first at-bat -- and he'll be followed by others. Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt told Steve Stockmar of MLB.com on Saturday that "four or five guys" are in the mix. The most anticipated of the bunch may be prospect Juan Brito, who slashed .256/.365/.443 with 21 homers and 13 steals in 2024 at Triple-A Columbus. Over the coming weeks, expect to see Brito along with Tyler Freeman, Angel Martinez and Daniel Schneemann at the keystone.
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Colson Montgomery SS | CHW
White Sox's Colson Montgomery: Pops homer in spring debut
Montgomery went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in Saturday's Cactus League loss to the Cubs.
Montgomery, a first-round pick in 2021, is on the verge of debuting in the majors after logging essentially a full season at the Triple-A level in 2024. Interestingly, MLB.com is projecting Montgomery to be the Opening Day shortstop for the White Sox. The soon-to-be 23-year-old could perhaps benefit from more seasoning in the minors, but he will have the opportunity to force the team's hand this spring.
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Chandler Simpson CF | TB
Rays' Chandler Simpson: Grabbing attention in spring
Simpson made two strong defensive plays in center field in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Simpson has elite speed and recorded 104 total stolen bases between High-A and Double-A in 2024. Despite that, Simpson's defensive ability has surprisingly been questionable, though he made two diving plays in center field during Saturday's game. He also has three hits in his first four at-bats while also swiping a bag.
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Ernie Clement SS | TOR
Blue Jays' Ernie Clement: Atop depth chart at third base
Clement is the favorite to begin the season as the Blue Jays' starting third baseman, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Toronto's affinity for utility players likely means Clement won't stay at the hot corner, however -- the 28-year-old saw 41 games at shortstop last season in addition to 96 at third base, and he has prior experience at second base and in left field as well. Clement slashed a passable .263/.284/.408 in 2024 with 12 homers and 12 steals over 452 plate appearances, but he'll be pushed for playing time by Will Wagner, Orelvis Martinez, Addison Barger and others as the Jays look for more offense from their lineup.
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Orelvis Martinez 3B | TOR
Blue Jays' Orelvis Martinez: In mix for third-base job
Martinez will get a real chance in camp to win a spot on the 26-man roster and could push for the starting job at third base, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Ernie Clement is the nominal favorite to be in the Opening Day lineup at the hot corner, but Martinez is the player that offers the most upside at the position for the Blue Jays. The 23-year-old is coming off a bumpy 2024 campaign that included an 80-game suspension for violating MLB's performance-enhancing drugs policy, but over 74 games at Triple-A Buffalo he slashed .267/.346/.523 with 17 homers. Martinez's most likely route to the Opening Day roster is on the bench, bouncing between second base and third base in a short-side platoon role, but the young slugger could quickly force his way into a more prominent spot if he begins flashing his power in the majors and can provide at least adequate defense at third.