MLB Player News
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Ernie Clement SS | TOR
Blue Jays' Ernie Clement: No concussion or fractures
Clement did not suffer any fractures and is not dealing with any concussion symptoms as a result of a hit-by-pitch in the face during Monday's game against the Tigers, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports
It was a scary situation when Clement was struck by a 91.3 mph Ty Madden fastball, but the infielder has managed to escape with merely a lip laceration and contusion. Projected to be the Blue Jays' primary third baseman this season, Clement should be considered day-to-day.
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Paul DeJong SS | NYY
Nationals' Paul DeJong: Smacks first homer of spring
DeJong went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.
The veteran infielder got hold of a Josh Hader offering in the third inning, giving DeJong his first long ball of the spring. Although he didn't sign with the Nationals until mid-February, DeJong is the favorite to be the team's Opening Day third baseman after slugging 24 homers in 139 games last season split between the White Sox and Royals, albeit with a mediocre .227/.276/.427 slash line. Prospect Brady House is having a strong start to camp however, and DeJong could simply be keeping the hot corner warm for the 21-year-old.
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Bo Bichette SS | NYM
Blue Jays' Bo Bichette: Clubs first spring homer
Bichette went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.
The shortstop crushed a Tanner Banks pitch down the left-field line in the third inning for his first long ball of the spring. Bichette appears laser-focused on putting his rough 2024 season behind him, going 5-for-16 (.313) with two doubles, plus Sunday's homer, through his first six Grapefruit League games.
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Ernie Clement SS | TOR
Blue Jays' Ernie Clement: Exits after HBP in face
Clement was removed from Monday's game against the Tigers after being hit in the face by a pitch, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Clement was struck by a 91.3 mph fastball from Ty Madden and walked off the field with a trainer while holding a bloody towel to his face. The Blue Jays are saying for the time being that Clement is dealing with a lip laceration and contusion, although it's not clear whether he still needs to undergo additional testing. Clement is expected to open the season as Toronto's primary third baseman.
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Colson Montgomery SS | CHW
White Sox's Colson Montgomery: Resting through off day Tuesday
Montgomery (back) will continue to be held out of action through the White Sox' off day Tuesday before being re-evaluated, LaMond Pope of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Manager Will Venable said Sunday that Montgomery is "progressing well" as he recovers from back spasms, an injury which first popped up last Thursday. Montgomery has not resumed baseball activities, so a return to game action doesn't appear imminent. The 23-year-old is competing to be Chicago's starting shortstop and the longer the injury lingers, the better the chances are that he opens the season back at Triple-A Charlotte.
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Sebastian Walcott SS | TEX
Rangers' Sebastian Walcott: Reassigned to minors camp
The Rangers reassigned Walcott to minor-league camp Monday.
Walcott was one of a host of roster cuts for the Rangers. Slated to turn 19 later this month, Walcott made a great impression at the plate this spring during his few opportunities, going 4-for-8 with three doubles and a home run. He's one of the top prospects in all of baseball and is likely headed back to Double-A Frisco to begin the 2025 campaign.
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Trey Sweeney SS | DET
Tigers' Trey Sweeney: Not a lock for shortstop job
Sweeney is not a given to open the season as the Tigers' primary shortstop, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.
In his latest Opening Day roster projection, Stavenhagen has Javier Baez and Zach McKinstry sharing the shortstop job and Sweeney opening the season at Triple-A Toledo. Nothing has been decided, as Sweeney could still very well start at the position at least against right-handed pitching, but the gig won't be handed to him. Sweeney hit .218/.269/.373 with four home runs over 36 regular-season contests for the Tigers in 2024 before going 2-for-22 at the dish in seven postseason games.
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Leonardo Jimenez SS | TOR
Blue Jays' Leo Jimenez: Returns to action Sunday
Jimenez (illness) went 1-for-1 with a walk and a run scored and played four innings at shortstop in Sunday's 5-4 win over the Phillies in Grapefruit League play.
Though Bo Bichette drew the start at shortstop Sunday, Jimenez's ability to come off the bench and play four innings in the field suggests he's healthy again after he had been scratched from the lineup for Friday's game against the Yankees due to an illness. Jimenez is vying for a utility role after slashing .229/.329/.358 over 210 plate appearances as a rookie with Toronto in 2024.
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Jackson Merrill SS | SD
Padres' Jackson Merrill: Swats first spring homer
Merrill went 2-for-2 with a two-run home run Sunday in a Cactus League loss to Kansas City.
Merrill's homer was a massive 443-foot shot to center field. The 21-year-old is preparing for his second big-league campaign after posting an .826 OPS over 156 regular-season games last year en route to finishing second in NL Rookie of the Year voting. Merrill has looked good so far this spring, going 4-for-11 with four RBI through five contests.
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Trey Sweeney SS | DET
Tigers' Trey Sweeney: Hits first spring home run
Sweeney went 2-for-3 with a double, a solo home run and two total runs scored in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates.
Sweeney was scuffling a bit before today, as he started the spring 0-for-9 with four strikeouts. The 24-year-old appears to be Detroit's top option at shortstop, though veteran Javier Baez has said he's fully healthy after dealing with a hip injury. Long term, the Tigers likely want Sweeney to take the job and run with it, but Baez remains a looming threat in the short term, particularly due to his hefty contract. The two players could split playing time to a degree to begin the 2025 campaign, at least until one of them emerges.