MLB Player News

With Nico Hoerner (forearm) set to miss the Cubs' two-game, season-opening series in Tokyo, Berti is an option to slide in as the starter at second base, Jesse Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The Cubs will face the Dodgers in Tokyo on March 18 and 19, and with Hoerner still recovering from flexor tendon surgery, the team won't rush him back for the quick set. Berti and Vidal Brujan could see time at second in the meantime, though Hoerner could be ready to go later in the month, which would push both players back to bench roles.

Shaw (oblique) said Thursday that he expects to make his Cactus League debut within the next few days, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

Shaw suffered an oblique injury back on Feb. 5 before camp began, but he's been working out with no issues lately and is not expected to have any restrictions once he's officially cleared for games. The Cubs' season-opening series in Tokyo versus the Dodgers is less than three weeks away, and it's not clear whether Shaw will have enough time to fully ramp up for that two-game set. Shaw is the favorite to serve as the Cubs' primary third baseman this season.

McLain went 3-for-3 with two doubles, a home run, two RBI and an additional run scored in Wednesday's spring game against the Angels.

McLain made his third Cactus League appearance, all coming as the second baseman. He's led off in two of those games, including Wednesday, and could be the leadoff batter against left-handers this season. The lefty-hitting TJ Friedl is expected to lead off against righties.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton said Wednesday that Cruz is being brought along slowly in spring training because he came to camp with an illness, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Cruz is no longer ill, but since the ailment had prevented him from doing workouts for a while, the Pirates are taking it easy on him in the early weeks of camp. The center fielder has played in one of the team's first four Grapefruit League games, picking up a single and a stolen base Tuesday versus Atlanta. Cruz should be ready for a regular workload soon.

Luciano went 1-for-3 with a home run and a strikeout in Monday's Cactus League game against the Angels.

"He's got power and he looks like there's more presence in the batter's box right now," said manager Bob Melvin of Luciano after the game. "More confidence, even in his batting practice, he's pulling the ball more and driving the ball." It was an impressive homer by Luciano, as he had the platoon advantage and hit it off the batter's eye in dead center. Luciano is in camp as an outfielder for the first time as the Giants look to reduce his defensive responsibilities in hopes of getting more offensive production out of him in his age-23 season.

Lux started at third base and went 0-for-2 with a walk and a stolen base in Monday's Cactus League game against the Dodgers.

Lux made his second Cactus League appearance for his new team. He started at second base in one of Saturday's split-squad games before moving to the hot corner Monday. Expect to see his name at many positions this spring, and the versatile player may never settle into one home on the diamond.

Abrams will be moved back into the leadoff spot this season, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports. "CJ's going to lead off," manager Dave Martinez said. "The [Nos.] 3-4-5 will be kind of different a little bit. The [No.] 2 might be different at times. But we do know CJ's going to lead off for us."

Abrams was moved out of the leadoff spot late in the season last year in favor of prospect Dylan Crews when Crews was promoted, but the team will reverse that decision this year. Abrams struggled so much in the second half (.203/.260/.326 with an 11th percentile chase rate) that his ability to remain in that capacity as a leadoff hitter is in question.

Alexander started at second base and went 0-for-1 with a walk and a run scored in Saturday's spring game against the Rockies.

Alexander made his Cactus League debut and is expected to play multiple infield positions in a quest to claim a utility role on the Opening Day roster. It's the same role Kevin Newman held last season, but he signed with the Angels in the offseason. The questions surrounding Alexander in his first exposure to MLB in 2024 were his defense and the downturn at the plate after a strong April. His primary competition for a roster spot includes Garrett Hampson and Ildemaro Vargas.

De La Cruz went 2-for-2 with two solo home runs in Saturday's split-squad game against the Guardians.

Not only did he homer twice, De La Cruz homered from both sides of the plate in his first Cactus League game of 2025. The 23-year-old is coming off an electric sophomore season in which he hit 25 homers with a league-leading 67 steals, and he tweaked his batting stance this winter to help address lingering swing-and-miss concerns. While he brings more batting-average volatility than most in the first-round draftees, the counting-stat upside is undeniable.

Rojas (sports hernia) will start at third base and bat sixth versus the Cubs on Friday in his Cactus League debut, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Rojas underwent sports hernia surgery early in the offseason and developed an infection that extended his recovery timeline. While he was slightly behind other Dodgers position players at the start of camp, it appears he's now all caught up. Rojas is projected to serve as a reserve infielder this season.