MLB Player News
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Sebastian Walcott SS | TEX
Rangers' Sebastian Walcott: Undergoes internal brace surgery
Walcott underwent internal brace surgery on his right elbow last week, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.
The good news is he did not require a full Tommy John surgery. The bad news is he will still be sidelined for 5-to-6 months before resuming hitting, so he could still miss the entire season. One of the game's top prospects, Walcott slashed .255/.355/.386 with 13 home runs and 32 stolen bases over 124 games in 2025 at Double-A Frisco. He will turn 20 in March.
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Gavin Lux SS | TB
Rays' Gavin Lux: Dealing with general soreness
Rays manager Kevin Cash said Tuesday that Lux has been held out of Grapefruit League games due to "overall spring training soreness," Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Cash added that Lux is fine, though it's unclear when the 28-year-old will be ready for his spring debut. Acquired via trade over the offseason, Lux is slated to take over as the Rays' primary second baseman this season.
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Josh H. Smith SS | TEX
Rangers' Josh Smith: Favorite for second base job
Smith appears to be the favorite to win the starting job at second base, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.
While the team hasn't openly announced that Smith is ahead of the competition, Corey Seager provided a hint when talking with media earlier in camp. When asked about working with someone new at the keystone, he specifically mentioned Smith, stating "I've played some games with him already so you kind of know how he operates. I'm really excited for him just to get this opportunity." Nothing is set in stone this early in camp, but Smith has now drawn two starts at second base in spring training and continues to work drills exclusively at second base outside of exhibitions, per McFarland.
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Darell Hernaiz SS | ATH
Athletics' Darell Hernaiz: Solid performance Monday
Hernaiz started at shortstop and went 2-for-3 with a double in Monday's Cactus League loss to the Giants.
Hernaiz turned in a solid showing at the plate, reaching on an infield single in the first inning before lacing a 101.4 mph double to right field in the third inning. The 24-year-old slashed a modest .231/.292/.306 with eight extra-base hits and 16 RBI across 51 games with the Athletics last season and is competing this spring for a spot on the MLB roster in 2026. His ability to handle multiple infield positions works in his favor, and performances like Monday's are encouraging as Hernaiz prepares to depart to represent Team Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic.
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Colson Montgomery SS | CHW
White Sox's Colson Montgomery: Scratched from lineup with illness
Montgomery was scratched from the lineup for Monday's game versus the Rockies due to illness.
It's a precautionary move, as Montgomery should be fine to return to action in a day or two. The White Sox will replace Montgomery in Monday's lineup with William Bergolla, who will cover shortstop and bat ninth.
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Jadher Areinamo SS | TB
Rays' Jadher Areinamo: Set for MRI on hamstring
Rays manager Kevin Cash said Monday that Areinamo is slated to undergo further imaging on his right hamstring in the coming days and will likely miss "a little bit" of time, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Areinamo has had a history of soft-tissue injuries during his minor-league career, so the Rays will seemingly proceed cautiously with the 22-year-old infielder after he tweaked the hamstring during Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates. The Rays should have a clearer timeline for when Areinamo might be ready to play again once the results of the MRI are read. Tampa Bay added Areinamo to its 40-man roster over the winter, but he's expected to open the season at either Triple-A Durham or Double-A Montgomery.
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Juan Brito SS | CLE
Guardians' Juan Brito: Healthy after hamstring surgery
Brito (hamstring) played five innings at second base and went 0-for-2 with a strikeout Friday in the Guardians' 4-2 win over the Reds in Cactus League play.
Brito is back to full health this spring after his 2025 season came to an early end when he underwent surgery on his left hamstring Sept. 12. The 24-year-old is expected to get exposure to three infield spots as well as right field in spring training as he aims to secure a spot on the Guardians' Opening Day roster as a utility man.
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Jackson Holliday SS | BAL
Orioles' Jackson Holliday: Cleared to field, swing one-handed
Holliday said Monday that he's been cleared to field groundballs and take one-handed swings after having stitches removed from his right hand, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
Holliday is expected to gradually increase his activities in the weeks to come with the goal of being a full participant at some point before the Orioles break camp late March. Though the 22-year-old still appears destined to open the season on the injured list, he could be in line for a minimum-length stay on the shelf or close to it.
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Trevor Story SS | BOS
Red Sox's Trevor Story: Likely No. 2 hitter
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Sunday that he likes the idea of Story batting second, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports. "What he did last year, the last three months, he was one of the best hitters in the big leagues," Cora said, indicating why he likes Story batting second.
Story made his spring debut Sunday, hitting out of the two-hole, and went hitless in three plate appearances. It's the same place in the order where he landed in his final 10 games of the regular season and all three postseason contests in 2025. The righty-hitter was tucked in between two lefties -- Roman Anthony at leadoff and Jarren Duran third.
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Jadher Areinamo SS | TB
Rays' Jadher Areinamo: Departs with hamstring issue
Areinamo was pulled from Sunday's Grapefruit League game against Pittsburgh due to right hamstring tightness, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Areinamo started at third base for the Rays on Sunday, but he was replaced by Logan Davidson in the third inning. Prior to exiting, Areinamo went 1-for-1 with a run scored. Tampa Bay is calling his removal precautionary.