MLB Player News

Reds manager Terry Francona said Thursday that Lux and Jeimer Candelario could be part of a platoon at third base during the regular season, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. "I think Lux and Candelario, you'll see [Santiago] Espinal there sometimes. It depends on who is pitching," the manager said.

While Lux has seen action at several positions this spring, he's made the majority of his 2025 Cactus League starts at third base. Francona likes the idea of getting a platoon edge without weakening the team's defense at the hot corner. Lux also has experience at second base and in left field. The job share may not be an issue early in the regular season, as Spencer Steer (shoulder) could land on the injured list and push Candelario to first base or DH, but eventually Francona will need to find at-bats for all three on a semi-regular basis.

Abrams (quadricep) will start at shortstop and bat leadoff in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

As expected, Abrams has been cleared to return to action following his precautionary removal from Wednesday's game against the Astros when he experienced cramping in both of his quads after legging out a triple. He enters Thursday's contest having hit .300 with one home run and three RBI over 30 at-bats in the Grapefruit League.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez said that Abrams was lifted from Wednesday's spring contest versus the Astros due to cramping in both quads but is scheduled to return to the lineup Thursday against the Rays, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Abrams' quads cramped up following a leadoff triple in the first inning Wednesday, but he's going to be fine. The young shortstop is 9-for-30 with a home run in 10 Grapefruit League games this spring.

Rosario was a late scratch from the lineup for Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros after his knee "didn't feel right" while taking part in defensive drills prior to the contest, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Shortly before first pitch, the Nationals pulled Rosario from the lineup in favor of Cayden Wallace, who started at second base and batted eighth. Rosario suggested that the knee injury was minor, noting that he would have been able to play if it was a regular-season game.

Winn went 0-for-3 with one strikeout in Wednesday's game versus the Mets and is now hitting .094 with a 10:3 K:BB this spring.

Winn struggled last year in Grapefruit League play, too, with a .638 OPS and no home runs, before going on to have a solid rookie season in which he had 15 homers and 11 steals with a .730 OPS. He has batted leadoff in every one of his starts this spring and appears poised to hit at the top of the order for the Cardinals on Opening Day.

Lopez went 2-for-3 with two home runs and three RBI in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.

The second baseman touched up Erick Fedde for a two-run homer in the fourth inning before taking Roddery Munoz deep for a solo shot in the sixth. The blasts were Lopez's first extra-base hits this spring, and the 26-year-old didn't display much power in the minors, so it's unlikely this performance was a sign of things to come. His primary fantasy appeal will come on the basepaths -- Lopez swiped 20 bags in 24 attempts over 117 regular-season games in 2024 while slashing .270/.313/.377.

Abrams was removed from Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros in the bottom of the first inning due to an apparent injury, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

After leading off the inning with a triple, Abrams appeared to crouch down in discomfort once he reached third base. He motioned to the team trainer to examine him, and after a brief checkup, Abrams was pulled from the contest. The Nationals should provide more details on Abrams' injury later Wednesday.

The Rockies optioned Amador to Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday.

Amador surprisingly made the jump from Double-A Hartford to the majors last June, but he slashed just .171/.194/.200 over 10 games with the Rockies before being shut down with a right oblique strain. Once healthy, he was optioned back to Hartford, where he finished the season with a .227/.341/.373 slash line to go with 14 home runs and 35 stolen bases across 453 plate appearances. Though the Rockies non-tendered Brendan Rodgers in November, the team brought in Thairo Estrada on a one-year deal later in the offseason, and he projects to open the season as Colorado's everyday second baseman. However, given the minimal investment in Estrada, the Rockies likely won't hesitate to open up a full-time role for Amador once the organization is confident that he's ready for another look in the big leagues.

The Pirates optioned Cheng to Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old had a strong showing in big-league camp with a 1.178 OPS in 12 spring games, but he'll begin the campaign at the Triple-A level. Cheng received a promotion to Indianapolis late last season but spent most of the year at Double-A Altoona, where he had a .218/.320/.341 slash line in 126 contests.

The Pirates optioned Peguero to Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday.

Peguero had been among the field battling for a spot on the Pirates' bench to begin the regular season, but going 2-for-15 with a home run in 10 games won't be enough to crack the Opening Day roster. Until the 24-year-old's bat improves, he's likely destined to spend most of his time in Triple-A, though he may be promoted throughout the season to provide Pittsburgh with some fresh legs off the bench.