MLB Player News

Clement went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and a second run scored in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox.

Getting the start at third base and batting seventh in what might have been a preview of Toronto's Opening Day lineup, Clement turned on a Cooper Criswell offering in the second inning and drove it out to center field for his first homer of the spring. The 28-year-old infielder has gotten off to a hot start in camp, going 8-for-17 (.471) in seven appearances, but he'll likely need to improve on last season's .284 OBP if he's going to be anything more than a utility player in the majors over the long haul.

The Cubs have not yet made a decision as to whether to carry Shaw on the roster for their two-game series versus the Dodgers in Tokyo from March 18-19, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Mooney indicates that Shaw would probably be a lock for the Tokyo series roster and set to start at third base if the infielder had not suffered an oblique injury that's limited him to just nine Cactus League plate appearances so far. Because Shaw is behind schedule, the club could elect to hold him back in preparation for its domestic opener. In that instance, Gage Workman, Justin Turner, Jon Berti and Vidal Brujan would be under consideration for playing time at third base in Tokyo.

The Dodgers reassigned Freeland to minor-league camp Thursday.

Freeland breezed through the Dodgers' farm system last season, reaching Triple-A Oklahoma City by early August after starting the year with High-A Great Lakes. His bat stayed hot during Cactus League play, as he went 3-for-10 with a home run and three runs scored over eight games, though he also struck out six times. The 23-year-old will return to Triple-A to begin the 2025 campaign, but he's put himself in a good position to make his major-league debut at some point this year.

Montgomery (back) is expected to return to Cactus League action as soon as Saturday and no later than Monday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Montgomery hasn't played in more than a week because of back spasms but is making nice progress. The shortstop took some swings off the Trajekt machine as part of his baseball activities Thursday, and it appears as though his return to the lineup is imminent. Montgomery is competing for the White Sox' shortstop job this spring, so he can't afford to miss much more time.

Rivas (ankle) will start at shortstop and bat sixth in Thursday's Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks.

Rivas has been sidelined since late February after turning his left ankle while participating in infield drills. After a week of rest, he's been cleared to return to game action and continue competing for a spot on Seattle's Opening Day bench.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Thursday that Bichette could bat leadoff or cleanup this season, "depending on who we're facing," Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Schneider has decided on Vladimir Guerrero in the No. 2 hole and Anthony Santander in the No. 3 spot, but who bats before them and after them is not yet written in ink. Bichette has spent the vast majority of his career hitting second, but his 106 starts in the cleanup spot are the second most of any position in the batting order. George Springer has been the club's regular leadoff man during his four seasons in Toronto but might bat lower in the order in 2025.

Cespedes (hand) is listed on Boston's roster for its March 13 Spring Breakout game against Tampa Bay prospects.

Cespedes' inclusion on the roster implies that he's back to full health after undergoing surgery in August to repair a hamate bone fracture in his left hand. The 19-year-old infield prospect hit .319/.400/.615 with five home runs and three stolen bases over his 105 plate appearances in the rookie-level Florida Complex League last season before being shut down with the hand injury. He'll likely open the 2025 campaign at Single-A Salem.

The Mariners list Celesten (wrist) on the roster for their March 14 Spring Breakout game against Guardians prospects.

Celesten appears to be in good health entering the 2025 campaign after not playing for the Mariners' rookie-level Arizona Complex League from July 24 onward last season while recovering from a lingering hamate injury that he addressed with surgery. The 19-year-old infield prospect should be ready to debut with a full-season affiliate in 2025.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Thursday that Mayer has recovered from a stomach illness and plans to play in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

One of multiple players in Red Sox camp who has succumbed to a stomach bug in recent days, Mayer is the first of the ailing players to regain health and resume working out. The illness thus doesn't look like it'll be anything that sets Mayer back heading into the season, but the 22-year-old shortstop remains likely to open at Triple-A Worcester rather than with the big club.

Cruz has gone 3-for-12 with two home runs and three stolen bases across 12 at-bats in Grapefruit League action.

Cruz popped his second homer of spring on a hanging changeup during Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays. He's showcased his fantasy-friendly profile early in spring thanks to his power and aggressiveness on the basepaths, though he's also struck out six times.