MLB Player News
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Matt Shaw SS | CHC
Cubs' Matt Shaw: Clubs first spring home run
Shaw went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Tuesday's Cactus League contest against the Rangers.
The home run was the first of the spring for Shaw, who is batting .310 with an .812 OPS across 11 Cactus League contests. Also notable Tuesday was seeing the youngster start in center field. With Alex Bregman now in the fold to play third base, Shaw is getting comfortable in the outfield, and the Cubs plan to start him regularly in right field against left-handed pitchers. Shaw struggled with consistency during his 2025 rookie campaign, though he still managed 13 home runs and 17 stolen bases. It remains to be seen how much the 24-year-old will play in 2026, but he could take a step forward from a fantasy perspective if he sees the field often enough from a utility role.
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Francisco Lindor SS | NYM
Mets' Francisco Lindor: Plays defense in MiLB game
Lindor (hand) played four innings at shortstop during a minor-league spring game Tuesday, though he did not hit in the contest, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
The 32-year-old clearly still has some limitations in his rehab program, but returning to game action, even in a limited capacity, is significant progress in his return from right hamate bone surgery. Lindor said that he's "100 percent optimistic" that he will be available for Opening Day, which is less than three weeks away.
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Francisco Lindor SS | NYM
Mets' Francisco Lindor: Fields grounders Tuesday
Lindor (hand) went through fielding drills with the other Mets infielders Tuesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Lindor did not appear to have any limitations with his surgically repaired left hand. The shortstop also recently progressed to hitting in a batting cage. It's unclear when Lindor might be cleared for game action, but he and the Mets remain optimistic about his Opening Day availability.
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Ezequiel Tovar SS | COL
Rockies' Ezequiel Tovar: Simplifying swing
Tovar worked on shedding weight and simplifying his swing this offseason, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.
Tovar was limited to 95 games in 2025, in part due to an oblique strain. He attributed that injury to overly complicated swing mechanics and playing at slightly above his preferred weight. Tovar shed seven pounds during the offseason and simplified his swing in an effort to bounce back in 2026. He's gone 3-for-14 this spring, but has struck out only twice, and he is also representing Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic.
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Francisco Lindor SS | NYM
Mets' Francisco Lindor: Still optimistic for Opening Day
Lindor (hand) remains confident he'll be available for the Mets' March 26 season opener versus the Pirates, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.
The veteran shortstop has progressed to hitting in a batting cage as he works his way back from hamate bone surgery. Lindor won't get his normal workload in official spring training games regardless of whether he meets that timeline or not, but he thinks he'll be able to stack up enough at-bats in back-field contests to make up the difference once he's cleared for game action. Lindor slashed .267/.346/.466 with 31 home runs and 31 steals over 160 games in 2025, his second career 30-30 campaign.
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Jesus Made SS | MIL
Brewers' Jesus Made: Sent to minors camp
The Brewers reassigned Made to minor-league camp Monday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
Made was awarded with an invitation to major-league camp after slashing .285/.379/.413 across three levels in the minors last season. The top prospect will turn just 19 in May, so he never had a real chance to make the team. Made should return to Double-A Biloxi to begin the 2026 season.
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Geraldo Perdomo SS | ARI
Diamondbacks' Geraldo Perdomo: Back in WBC lineup
Perdomo (illness) will start at shortstop and bat ninth for Team Dominican Republic in Monday's game against Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic.
After falling ill, Perdomo was held out of the lineup for Sunday's 12-1 win over Team Netherlands, with Erik Gonzalez filling in at shortstop in his stead. The Diamondbacks infielder needed just one day off to move past the ailment and will rejoin the starting nine as the Dominican Republic looks to move to 3-0 in pool play.
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Jordan Lawlar SS | ARI
Diamondbacks' Jordan Lawlar: Swats third spring homer
Lawlar started in center field and went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Sunday's spring game against the Reds.
Lawlar cracked his third homer during Cactus League play, sending a Graham Ashcraft slider that caught too much of the plate over the wall in left-center. He's hit in three straight games and should continue to build up plate appearances with Alek Thomas playing for Team Mexico at the World Baseball Classic. Lawler, who is 8-for-23 with four extra-base hits in eight spring contests, has played exclusively in center field. That suggests he could be the primary center fielder with Thomas shifting to left field, if Lourdes Gurriel (knee) opens the season on the injured list. Once Gurriel is ready, Lawlar could be used as the righty-hitting complement to Thomas in center.
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Jose Fernandez SS | ARI
Diamondbacks' Jose Fernandez: Headed out to Reno
The Diamondbacks optioned Fernandez to Triple-A Reno on Sunday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
After being added to the Diamondbacks' 40-man roster over the winter, Fernandez will make the jump to Triple-A this season after spending the entire 2025 campaign at Double-A Amarillo, with whom he slashed .272/.321/.454 with 17 home runs and 12 steals in 510 plate appearances. The 22-year-old from Venezuela is regarded as only an average defender at shortstop, so a move to third base could be in the cards at some point down the road.
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Demetrio Crisantes SS | ARI
Diamondbacks' Demetrio Crisantes: Overcomes shoulder issue
Crisantes (shoulder) has appeared in three Cactus League games since making his spring debut Wednesday, going a collective 3-for-7 with one double.
Crisantes was eased into workouts this spring after he underwent left shoulder surgery in May, but the 21-year-old demonstrated enough progress in his recovery for the Diamondbacks to sign off on him playing in games. Crisantes is attending camp as a non-roster invitee and is likely to be assigned to High-A Hillsboro to open the 2026 season.