MLB Player News

Hampson is projected to be the Royals' main utility player this season, Anne Rogers of the Royals' official site reports.

Hampson can cover a number of positions -- he's played everywhere but first base and catcher in his major-league career. Rogers notes it's likely Hampson won't have a single position, but he could still come close to everyday playing time by providing cover around the diamond. He hit a career-high .276 with his second-base OPS (.729) last season with the Marlins, which is impressive given he spent his first five seasons with the Rockies, so his move to the Royals alone shouldn't end up having a negative impact on his play.

Manager Joe Espada said Saturday that Machado has a Grade 2 quadriceps strain and could miss the remainder of camp, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Machado sustained the quadriceps injury in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins. He received a non-roster invitation to spring training and this setback likely derails any slim chances he had of making the Opening Day roster. Machado played 74 games with Triple-A Sugar Land in 2023 and slashed .230/.369/.356 with seven home runs and 33 RBI over 293 plate appearances.

Grissom was diagnosed with a groin strain Saturday and could be out for Opening Day, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

The Red Sox had been hopeful to get Grissom into Grapefruit League action within the next few days after he worked his way back from a hamstring injury. However, it appears he could miss the entirety of the spring training schedule as a result of his new groin issue. It's unclear whether or not Grissom will begin the regular season on the injured list, but the Red Sox will likely plan on Enmanuel Valdez being their Opening Day second baseman either way.

Rocchio is competing with Gabriel Arias for the Guardians' starting shortstop job, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Both Rocchio and Arias are inexperienced options, and while Arias struggled at the plate in 2023, Rocchio wasn't much better. The 23-year-old batted .247 with a .600 OPS, eight RBI, nine runs scored and six doubles over 86 plate appearances. This is one of the more even battles for Cleveland, though Rocchio has a full season of Triple-A ball under his belt and will need to be tested in the majors in the near future.

Manager Kevin Cash said Friday that Chang was diagnosed with a severe oblique strain and is expected to be sidelined 6-to-8 weeks, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The 28-year-old signed with Tampa Bay as a non-roster invitee in February but suffered the oblique injury early in camp. Chang was a longshot to make the Rays' Opening Day roster and will likely report to Triple-A Durham once healthy.

Young went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in the Mariners' Cactus League loss to the White Sox on Thursday.

The precocious 20-year-old extended his spring hitting streak to three games with his fifth-inning solo shot. The fact Young is enjoying early success against big-league arms this spring isn't necessarily surprising, considering he's done nothing but hit over his first four minor-league stops in his first two professional seasons. Young has slashed .286/.402/.858 across stints ranging from Rookie ball to High-A, complementing those eye-catching figures with equally impressive 14.2 percent and 14.5 percent walk and strikeout rates, respectively. Young likely doesn't have much left to prove at High-A Everett after a productive 48-game stint there last season, so he's almost certainly ticketed to start the campaign at Double-A Arkansas.

Paris (thumb) is starting at second base and batting ninth in Friday's Cactus League game against the Padres.

Paris underwent thumb surgery late last season but is fully healthy heading into 2024. The 22-year-old went 4-for-40 in his first taste of the majors last year and is 1-for-8 through four games in spring training.

Dezenzo is able to play the field but cannot hit in games due to a wrist injury, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

It's not clear when he might be ready to swing the bat. Dezenzo, 23, finished last season at Double-A Corpus Christi and might be ready to move up to Triple-A Sugar Land to start 2024, if healthy. He had a breakout 2023 campaign, posting a .914 OPS with 18 homers and 22 steals between High- and Double-A.

Basabe (head) is starting at shortstop and batting eighth in Friday's spring game against the Pirates, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The 23-year-old suffered a head injury while making a headfirst slide during Tuesday's contest, and he'll return to action Friday after taking the past couple days to recover. Basabe had a .218/.277/.310 slash line over 31 games in his first taste of the majors last season and is likely to open 2024 at Triple-A Durham.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Wednesday that Basabe (head) should be available to play in Grapefruit League games beginning Friday or Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Basabe was removed from Tuesday's game against the Yankees after hitting his head while sliding into third base, but he seems to have avoided a concussion. The Tampa Bay medical staff cleared him to resume baseball activities Thursday, so if all goes well in his workout, he should return to the spring lineup this weekend.