MLB Player News

Boston's acquisition of Alex Bregman will impact Grissom, who has minor-league options remaining, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports. If the Red Sox deploy Bregman at second base, then the team could option Grissom to the minors without exposing him to waivers.

Grissom was the early leader in the competition for the vacant job at second base, which has been in flux since Dustin Pedroia retired. The position seemingly came down to Grissom and prospect Kristian Campbell. If the Red Sox opt to move Bregman to second base, then Grissom could be optioned to Triple-A Worcester to start the 2025 season. If Bregman moves to third base and Rafael Devers to designated hitter or first base, then the Grissom/Campbell competition will be back on.

Mayer (back) took batting practice Wednesday and appears to be a full participant for the start of spring training, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Mayer finished the 2024 season on Triple-A Worcester's 7-day injured list while he dealt with a lumbar strain, but he was cleared to resume baseball activities early in the offseason and doesn't look to be operating under any restrictions during his first big-league camp. The 22-year-old isn't a serious candidate to make the Opening Day roster, but a midseason debut is possible if he displays improved durability with Worcester while maintaining the improved plate skills he demonstrated with Double-A Portland. Before getting promoted to Worcester and being placed on the IL soon after, Mayer slashed .307/.370/.480 with eight home runs, 13 stolen bases and a 19.7 percent strikeout rate over 335 plate appearances at Double-A.

Abrams reported to spring training Monday and disclosed that he added about 10 pounds of muscle during the offseason, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

A first-time All-Star in 2024, Abrams posted a career-best .314 on-base percentage to go with excellent counting numbers (20 home runs, 31 steals, 65 RBI and 79 runs), but his achievements were somewhat overshadowed by a late-season demotion to the minors, which came after he stayed out past curfew at a casino the night before a day game at Wrigley Field. Abrams addressed the incident publicly for the first time Wednesday, expressing remorse for his actions while noting that he had been in communication with members of the Washington coaching staff throughout the offseason. Now up to 200 pounds and with the embarrassing off-field incident behind him, Abrams believes that he's better prepared to withstand the rigors of a 162-game schedule and perform more consistently after he struggled to a .586 OPS in the second half of last season.

Neto said he received "good news" on his surgically repaired right shoulder Tuesday and is ahead of schedule in his recovery, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Details of Neto's shoulder operation remain scarce, and the shortstop did not further elaborate on the "good news" he received, nor did he know whether he would be ready for Opening Day. Neto has been hitting off a tee but has not yet been cleared to throw. The prevailing expectation is that the 24-year-old will begin the season on the injured list, but further clarity on his situation should arise as spring training rolls along.

Baez (hip) is going through full hitting and defensive drills and is expected to be ready for Opening Day, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Baez continues to rehab after he underwent a right hip labral repair in September and will continue a running progression upon his arrival to camp. While the veteran shortstop is expected to be ready for Opening Day, his role on the Tigers is in flux, as Trey Sweeney is in line to serve as the club's primary shortstop.

Lux is expected to see time at first, second and third base as well as the outfield this spring, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Lux was projected to be the everyday second baseman upon being acquired by the Reds, but manager Terry Francona indicated Tuesday that Lux will be exposed to several positions. Lux moved between shortstop and second base for the Dodgers in 2024.

Lee will participate in spring training with the Tigers as a non-roster invitee, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Lee came to Detroit in the Michael Lorenzen trade last summer and is one of the Tigers' top prospects. The 22-year-old infielder played well for Double-A Erie last year following the trade, slashing .298/.363/.488 with 12 home runs and 16 stolen bases in 87 regular-season games. Lee could push his way up to Triple-A for the first time in 2025 and may not be too far off from making his MLB debut if he continues to impress in the minors.

Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said Tuesday that Grissom added about 20 pounds of muscle over the offseason, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Grissom appears motivated to bounce back from a lost season in 2024 that saw him play only 86 regular-season games between the majors and minors due to groin and hamstring problems. He posted just a .465 OPS with the Red Sox but did close with a .333/.370/.417 line and two steals over eight games in September. Grissom enters spring training in the mix for Boston's second-base job but will have to fend off Kristian Campbell and David Hamilton.

Manager Carlos Mendoza said Tuesday that Lindor will bat leadoff again for the Mets in 2025, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The 31-year-old operated as New York's primary leadoff man last season, and it's hardly a surprise he'll stick there in 2025 after posting a .273/.344/.500 slash line with 33 homers, 29 steals, 91 RBI and 107 runs in 152 regular-season games. The offseason signing of Juan Soto and re-signing of Pete Alonso should help Lindor remain one of the most productive leadoff men in MLB.

Anderson will compete to be the Angels' Opening Day shortstop while Zach Neto (shoulder) is sidelined, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

It's not yet clear how much time Neto might miss, but a stint on the injured list to begin the season is expected. Anderson was inked to a minor-league contract in January and will compete with Kevin Newman, Scott Kingery and Kyren Paris to be the placeholder at shortstop. While Anderson is the only one of the four competitors not on a major-league deal, Bollinger has projected him to win the shortstop gig. That said, given Anderson's woeful .235/.271/.274 batting line over the last two seasons, he will have much to prove this spring before he's handed a roster spot.