MLB Player News

Velazquez is starting in center field for the Angels in Monday's Cactus League contest versus the Guardians, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Velazquez has played the outfield a decent amount in the minors, but his major-league experience is almost exclusively on the infield. However, the 28-year-old's best chance to be useful to the Angels is as a super utility player so he's going to see some action all over the field this spring.

Smith, who went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Sunday's 10-3 Cactus League loss to the Padres, is now hitting .353 (6-for-17) across seven Cactus League contests.

Smith has hit safely in three of the last four exhibitions, and he also notably got Cactus League play off to a rousing start with a two-hit, three-RBI day against the Diamondbacks on Feb. 25. On the other hand, he has a 0:8 BB:K so far this spring after posting a 27.8 percent strikeout rate in the majors in 2022, and a 30.0 percent rate at Triple-A. The 26-year-old struggled to a .180/.216/.302 slash line across 151 plate appearances at the big-league level last year, but he's put up impressive power/speed numbers at every minor-league stop and can potentially fill in at shortstop, third base, designated hitter and the corner outfield spots.

Pena is likely to drop down in the Astros' everyday lineup, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Pena hit second for most of the 2022 season for the Astros, but Houston manager Dusty Baker has stated that a healthy Michael Brantley will hit second when in the lineup in 2023. While the Astros have strong depth, a drop in the lineup could result in fewer run-scoring opportunities for the second-year player, though it also could lead to more chances to drive in runs for the defending World Series champions. In his first year of MLB action, Pena slashed .253/.289/.426 with 22 homers, 11 steals and 63 RBI in 136 games.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone indicated Saturday that Volpe has a chance to break camp with the Yankees, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

Coming into the spring, it was generally presumed that Volpe would open the 2023 campaign at the Triple-A level, but the 21-year-old may be changing that narrative with his strong play thus far. Through five Grapefruit League contests, he has gone 5-for-15 with two doubles, a home run and two stolen bases, prompting Boone to say that the club is "paying attention" in regard to Volpe's chances of making the Opening Day roster. Volpe has logged some time at second base this spring, but he's played mostly shortstop throughout his time in the minors, and both Oswald Peraza and Isiah Kiner-Falefa are also vying to start at that position for the Yankees this season. Boone acknowledged that Volpe's lack of professional experience could come into play when final roster decisions are made, saying, "That's part of his case and case against and story. Yeah, it's all part of the equation that you gotta make a decision on at some point."

Smith should benefit from the Rangers' decision to designate Mark Mathias for assignment Saturday, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

Mathias was bumped from the 40-man roster to create space for reliever Will Smith, who was signed by the Rangers on Saturday. Weaver goes into great detail as to what the transaction means for several players on the roster, including Smith, who was in a battle to make the team in a utility role. While he can't provide the right-handed bench bat that Mathias did, Smith's ability to play shortstop gives the Rangers insurance that Mathias could not supply. Smith, who came to Texas in the Joey Gallo trade, posted a .197/.307/.249 line over 253 plate appearances in 2022.

Bichette drew walks in his only two plate appearances during Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays, scoring two runs and stealing a base.

It was the 24-year-old shortstop's first stolen base of the spring. Bichette has swiped 38 bags on 47 attempts over the last two years for the Blue Jays and has emerged as a true five-category fantasy asset. With MLB limiting pickoff attempts from the pitcher and introducing larger bases this season, it's not outrageous to think Bichette could set a new career high in steals in 2023.

Velazquez said Monday he will no longer switch hit and will instead exclusively bat right-handed, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Velazquez briefly dropped switch hitting last season before a season-ending knee injury, and he'll now hit exclusively right-handed going forward. The 28-year-old had a .540 OPS across 125 games last season, with similarly poor results against both types of pitcher. Velazquez isn't guaranteed a spot on the Halos' Opening Day roster, though his elite defense at shortstop and speed could make him a solid bench piece.

Correa is set to make his Grapefruit League debut Wednesday versus the Phillies, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

The condition of Correa's ankle was a major topic of conversation this offseason, but he reported to camp healthy and with no limitations. Him not playing in the Twins' first five games seems to be more about getting the veteran treatment and easing into things. Correa is expected to leave camp for a bit at some point in March with his wife due to give birth to the couple's second child soon.

Perez (back) will begin light baseball activities this week, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Perez continues to receive treatment and is going through a core stabilization program as he works his way back from lower-back inflammation. The infield prospect was added to the Tigers' 40-man roster over the offseason but is slated to begin the year in the minors.

Mondesi (knee) took regular batting practice Monday for the first time since last May's ACL surgery, Chad Jennings of The Athletic reports.

Mondesi has been going through some baseball activities for a little while now but this is the first time he took some rounds of BP on the field in 10 months. He has yet to participate in team defensive drills or run at max effort. Opening Day is considered a long shot, but Mondesi should be able to get into some Grapefruit League games in March.