MLB Player News

Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said Wednesday that Diaz (groin) has been cleared to resume baseball activities, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Diaz was diagnosed with a left groin strain Feb. 29 and will face an uphill battle to get fully healthy in advance of Opening Day, but the fact that he's taking part in baseball activities just one week after suffering the injury at least bodes well for his chances of avoiding an extended absence to begin the season. He remains without a definitive timeline to re-enter the Athletics' Cactus League lineup, however.

Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said Wednesday that Allen is currently sidelined with a mild back strain, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Allen hasn't played in a Cactus League game since March 1 due to the back issue. The Athletics haven't provided an indication of when Allen might be ready to return to the spring lineup, but the team seems to be viewing his injury as a day-to-day concern. If healthy, Allen is the favorite to open the season as the Athletics' primary shortstop.

Duran started at third base and went 2-for-3 with an RBI and two stolen bases in Tuesday's spring game against the Mariners.

Duran's getting a healthy dose of playing time and leads the Rangers with 26 plate appearances (.360/.385/.480). He's the steady fill-in at third base for Josh Jung (calf), who is due back at some point this month. Duran is expected to be on the Opening Day roster as a backup utility infielder.

Manager Bruce Bochy said Tuesday he's "hopeful" Seager (groin) will get some at-bats in Cactus League play before the end of spring training, Manny Randhawa of MLB.com reports.

The 29-year-old's availability for Opening Day remains in question as he recovers from the hernia surgery he underwent in late January. Seager recently had his progress slowed by the flu, but it apparently wasn't enough to delay his potential return. It's unclear if he has resumed baseball activities, but there should be more clarity on his status as spring training continues to progress. Even if Seager isn't quite ready by Opening Day, he isn't expected to miss much time.

Hamilton started at second base and went 1-for-3 with a double in Monday's spring game against Detroit.

Hamilton, who can play both middle infield positions, made a second consecutive start at second base since Boston announced Vaughn Grissom (groin) could miss Opening Day. The frontrunner to replace Grissom is Enmanuel Valdez, whose glove is not as sound as Hamilton's but projects a better bat. Hamilton is 3-for-16 over six Grapefruit League games.

Witt has gone 4-for-15 with two home runs, a stolen base and four runs scored over five Cactus League games.

As if the 11-year contract extension he signed in February wasn't enough proof, Witt is locked in as the Royals' starting shortstop. The 23-year-old offers both power and speed and should be a fixture at or near the top of the batting order this season. He hit .276 with an .814 OPS, 30 home runs, 49 stolen bases, 96 RBI and 97 runs scored in a similar role in 2023.

Reds manager David Bell said Monday that McLain (oblique) has resumed regular workouts with the team and could make his Cactus League debut this week, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

McLain has been brought along slowly this spring after feeling some renewed soreness in the same right oblique area which ended his 2023 season. He's made nice progress of late, though, and his return to game action appears imminent. There are enough days on the calendar for McLain to ramp up ahead of Opening Day, but he certainly can't afford another setback. McLain is slated to be the Reds' primary second baseman in 2024.

Arcia went 1-for-2 with a walk and a two-run home run in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

Getting the start at shortstop and batting seventh, Arcia took minor leaguer Paxton Thompson deep in the sixth inning. The 29-year-old infielder revived his career last season and set career highs with 17 homers, 65 RBI and 66 runs over 139 games, and with Vaughn Grissom now in Boston and Braden Shewmake a member of the White Sox organization, there's no immediate competition for Arcia left in the Atlanta system.

Barrero, a one-time shortstop prospect, is attempting to earn a roster spot exclusively as an outfielder, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Barrero started in right field Sunday and launched a home run in three plate appearances. He's made four Cactus League appearances -- three starts in right field and one in center. "I feel comfortable out there," Barrero said. "I'm glad that this organization has been giving me the opportunity to play several different positions in my time here." The Reds introduced him to the outfield in 2023, when he made 17 appearances in center field.

Correa went 2-for-3 in Sunday's spring training tie with Tampa Bay. He's hitting .429 (3-for-7) through three spring games.

Correa played through plantar fasciitis in his left foot for most of last season but said he was pain-free as spring training began, and he's looked sharp in the field. Correa slashed just .230/.312/.399 with 18 home runs and 65 RBI in 580 plate appearances last season while battling through a nagging foot issue starting in mid-May, so he could bounce back simply by avoiding re-injury.