MLB Player News
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Zach Dezenzo SS | HOU
Astros' Zach Dezenzo: Back in lineup Thursday
Dezenzo (jaw) is in the lineup for Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
After being struck in the face by a groundball Tuesday, Dezenzo was diagnosed with a TMJ sprain. However, he was cleared of a concussion and will be able to make a quick turnaround, continuing his bid for a roster spot. The 24-year-old is having a great spring, batting .378 with three doubles, two homers and six RBI across 15 exhibition games.
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Corey Seager SS | TEX
Rangers' Corey Seager: Rounding into form
Seager went 5-for-13 (.385) with six runs, two doubles, a home run, seven RBI and a 5:1 BB:K over his last six spring games.
Seager owned a .520 spring OPS at the end of play March 12, but thanks to his hot streak he raised that mark more than 300 points over the last week. Injuries remain a long-term concern for Seager, but he appears healthy and ready to go with the regular season just over a week away.
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Christian Cairo SS | PHI
Guardians' Christian Cairo: Sent back to Cleveland
Atlanta returned Cairo to the Guardians on Wednesday.
Atlanta selected Cairo in the Rule 5 Draft in December, but the 23-year-old infielder failed to make the big-league roster after slashing .179/.294/.250 during spring training. He'll be stripped of a 40-man roster spot upon returning to his original organization and will likely report to Triple-A Columbus for the start of the new season.
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Vaughn Grissom SS | LAA
Red Sox's Vaughn Grissom: Fails to make Opening Day roster
The Red Sox optioned Grissom to Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Grissom had seemingly fallen to third in line behind Kristian Campbell and David Hamilton in the second base competition, so it's not a surprise he's being cut from big-league camp. The 24-year-old has batted just .176 with a .535 OPS in 13 contests this spring.
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Chandler Simpson CF | TB
Rays' Chandler Simpson: Sent to minor-league camp
The Rays reassigned Simpson to minor-league camp Wednesday.
The most prolific base stealer in the minors in 2024 with 104 thefts in 121 attempts over 110 games between High-A Bowling Green and Double-A Montgomery, Simpson made waves early in Grapefruit League play by going 4-for-6 with a pair of steals and runs through his first three games. He's faded badly since then, however, going 2-for-19 over his subsequent eight contests to effectively end his longshot odds of breaking camp with the Rays. Simpson's elite wheels will make him worth keeping an eye on in dynasty leagues, but his subpar defense and dearth of power could make it difficult for him to emerge as an everyday player in the majors.
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Zach Dezenzo SS | HOU
Astros' Zach Dezenzo: Expected to play Thursday
Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that Dezenzo (jaw) is expected to return to Grapefruit League action Thursday versus the Marlins, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Dezenzo suffered a TMJ sprain on the left side of his jaw after getting hit in the head by a groundball Tuesday. He will undergo concussion testing just to be safe, but the expectation is that he will be fine. Dezenzo is competing for a reserve role with Houston.
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Juan Brito SS | CLE
Guardians' Juan Brito: Homers again
Brito started at second base and went 2-for-4 with with a solo home run in Tuesday's spring game against the Rangers.
Four of Brito's six Cactus League hits have left the park, giving him a lopsided spring line of .176/.222/.529 through 13 games. He's one of a host of players competing for the open job at second base. Brito's defense and speed are mediocre, which means his power will need to carry him past those shortcomings.
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Zach Dezenzo SS | HOU
Astros' Zach Dezenzo: Suffers TMJ sprain
Dezenzo was diagnosed with a TMJ sprain on the left side of his jaw after getting hit in the head by a groundball in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against Washington, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Interestingly, Dezenzo's left side took the most damage even though he was hit on the right side of his face. The 24-year-old was also evaluated and cleared for a concussion, and he's slated to undergo further testing on his jaw Wednesday. Dezenzo has been great in spring training so far, slashing .378/.415/.615 with two homers and six RBI through 39 plate appearances.
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Zach Dezenzo SS | HOU
Astros' Zach Dezenzo: Hit in head, exits game
Dezenzo exited Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals after getting hit in the head by a groundball, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Dezenzo was able to walk off the field on his own, though he was visibly bothered by his jaw after getting hit. The Astros will take a look at him to make sure he didn't suffer any significant damage and should offer an update on his status relatively soon.
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Shay Whitcomb SS | HOU
Astros' Shay Whitcomb: Sent to minors camp
The Astros optioned Whitcomb to minor-league camp Tuesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
The Astros have an opening at second base with Jose Altuve expected to move to left field, but Whitcomb never seemed to be under any real consideration to start at the keystone. He'll begin the season at Triple-A Sugar Land, where he played every position other than center field, catcher and pitcher last season.