MLB Player News

Kessinger was removed in the second inning of Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins after he appeared to injure his right leg while running the bases, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

After doubling in his lone at-bat of the day, Kessinger pulled up limping when he rounded third base before coming around to score on Yordan Alvarez's base hit. He checked out of the game in the bottom of the second, with Tommy Sacco coming on to replace Kessinger in the middle infield. Consider Kessinger day-to-day until the Astros provide an update on the nature and extent of his injury.

Holliday has gone 12-for-40 (.300) with six extra-base hits and two stolen bases over 13 Grapefruit League games.

An official decision on Holliday making the roster will likely arrive in the next week or so, but he's certainly made a compelling case. If he breaks camp with the Orioles, he'll likely do so with at least a strong-side platoon role at second base. Holliday can also provide cover at shortstop, his natural position, though it's expected Gunnar Henderson and Jorge Mateo will get most of the playing time there. Even if Holliday misses out on Opening Day, it doesn't seem like he'll have to wait long for his major-league debut at this point.

Mateo is likely to provide depth in the infield and outfield in 2024, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

With Gunnar Henderson set to see most of his playing time at shortstop, Mateo is without a full-time spot in the Orioles' lineup. Mateo got some work in at second base over the winter and has previously played center field in his career. In Sunday's game versus Atlanta, Mateo started in right field and shifted to left during the contest. He's gone 9-for-32 (.281) with two home runs and six RBI in spring training, but he has yet to steal a base during Grapefruit League play. Speed and defense are his top skills, but it's looking like a short-side platoon role may be a best-case scenario for Mateo to begin 2024. It's possible he sees most of his time as a late-game replacement.

Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said Monday that Diaz (calf) is likely to begin the season on the injured list, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Diaz suffered a calf strain while rehabbing from a groin strain last week and won't be ready to resume a running program until later this week. He won't have enough time to fully ramp up ahead of Opening Day, even if he avoids another setback. In addition to the injury, Diaz's playing-time outlook also took a hit with the Athletics' recent addition of J.D. Davis.

Seager (groin) is scheduled to take live batting practice Monday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Seager has been trending in a good direction as he ramps back up following January sports hernia surgery. He has a chance to play in some Cactus League or exhibition games before the spring schedule comes to an end next Tuesday. If Seager is able to get into a game in the next week, he could be a realistic option for the Rangers' Opening Day lineup.

Allen (back) will start at shortstop and bat leadoff Monday in the Athletics' Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks.

Allen likely isn't a serious candidate to handle leadoff duties once the regular season gets underway, but Oakland presumably wants him to get in as many competitive at-bats as he can to close out the spring after a back strain had kept him out of Cactus League action since March 1. The shortstop checked out fine after participating in a minor-league game Sunday, so he'll be playing for the second consecutive day as he readies himself for the start of the regular season. Though he emerged as an everyday player for Oakland by the end of the 2023 campaign, Allen wasn't an appealing fantasy option, as he batted just .221 with four home runs, five stolen bases, 29 runs and 20 RBI over his 329 plate appearances.

The Athletics reassigned Muncy to minor-league camp Sunday.

Muncy was a first-round draft pick in 2021 and was promoted from Single-A Stockton to High-A Lansing last season in July. The shortstop has slashed .179/.233/.464 with two home runs across 30 plate appearances in 15 Cactus League games. Additionally, the 21-year-old struck out 14 times in those games.

Diaz (calf) has yet to resume baseball activities as of Sunday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The veteran infielder suffered a calf strain while rehabbing from a groin strain last week, and he hasn't played in spring games since late February. Diaz still needs to start a running progression and appears poised to begin the season on the injured list.

Allen (back) is participating in a minor-league game Sunday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The 25-year-old hasn't seen Cactus League play since March 1 due to a mild back strain, but he's now on the cusp of returning to action. Allen is expected to begin the season as Oakland's primary shortstop, and he appears on track to be ready for Opening Day.

Shewmake was diagnosed Sunday with a lateral left ankle sprain and is expected to be sidelined 2-to-4 weeks, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The 26-year-old suffered the injury during Saturday's Cactus League contest and will now be unavailable for the rest of camp. Shewmake was in good position to make the White Sox's Opening Day roster as a reserve infielder, but now he's likely to begin the campaign on the injured list.