MLB Player News

Mateo swung a bat Monday for the first time since left elbow surgery, hitting balls off a tee, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Mateo feels good about where he's at in the rehab process and will continue to ramp up his hitting progression. The Orioles have already ruled the utility player out for Opening Day, although it's not yet clear when he might be ready to make his season debut.

Martinez started at second base and went went 0-for-2 with a walk in Monday's spring game against the Diamondbacks.

Martinez was the third different player to start at second base in Cleveland's first three Cactus League contests. More players will cycle through in the coming days and weeks, as manager Stephen Vogt decides which will be the team's primary second baseman. Gabriel Arias, who started the spring opener at second base, served as the third baseman Monday and belted a first-inning home run.

Barger (hand) will try to hit Monday and is considered day-to-day, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Per manager John Schneider, Barger's right hand is swollen and he had a blood blister after getting hit by a Garrett Crochet pitch Sunday. The Jays game was rained out Monday, but Barger wasn't in the lineup, although it sounds like he'll get back in there once the swelling in his hand goes down. Barger showed up to camp in great shape and has intriguing tools (plus bat speed, above-average foot speed) if he can earn a role either in the outfield or at third base.

Brito started at second base and went 0-for-2 in Sunday's spring game against the Angels.

Brito made his Cactus League debut Sunday. The 23-year-old is one of several players that should see time at second base, a position that remains up for grabs. Gabriel Arias started Saturday's spring opener followed by Brito on Sunday. Expect to see a carousel of names in daily box scores, including prospect Travis Bazzana.

Martin will primarily focus on playing the outfield this spring, Bobby Nightengale of the Minnesota Star Tribune reports. "I want him to be a defensive star out there. I think he has the ability and the work ethic to do so," Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. Martin started in center field Sunday and went 1-for-2 in is spring debut.

Martin is battling for a reserve spot on the roster, and he could be a key reserve since he can play both center field and second base. He was regarded as a top prospect as the fifth overall pick in 2020, but he hasn't lived up to that billing given his lack of power (.099 ISO last year in the majors).

Lee is battling Edouard Julien for the starting second base job this spring with Willi Castro also likely to get time at the position, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. Lee started at shortstop in his spring debut Sunday and went 0-for-3.

Lee could make the Opening Day roster and work around the infield, as he may be a better option with the glove at third base, but the Twins have decided for now to keep Royce Lewis at the hot corner. It's possible Lee could also begin the season in the minors after he posted just a .580 OPS last season in the majors over 50 games. His ability to secure a starting spot or a reserve role will be a key job battle for Minnesota this spring.

Barger was confirmed to have suffered a bruised right hand after X-rays came back negative Sunday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Barger exited Sunday's spring game with the injury after being struck by a pitch during the opening frame, but he appears to have avoided a serious injury. The 25-year-old will be held out of the lineup for a day or two but shouldn't end up missing much time.

Barger was removed from Sunday's Grapefruit League game against Boston due to a right hand contusion.

Barger suffered the injury when he was hit by a Garrett Crochet pitch in the first inning. The initial diagnosis of a contusion provides optimism that the 25-year-old isn't dealing with a major issue, though the Blue Jays will likely want to further evaluate the injury. Barger is expected to use spring training to make a case for playing time with the Blue Jays, and he could eventually push Ernie Clement for a starting role at third base if he plays well early on.

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.

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.