MLB Player News

Arcia (hand) is starting at shortstop and batting eighth for Atlanta in Wednesday's Grapefruit League contest versus the Blue Jays, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Arcia exited Sunday's game after being hit on the left hand by a pitch, but he merely had a contusion and is back in there a few days later. The veteran shortstop has an .836 OPS with three home runs this spring.

The Padres selected Wade from Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday.

After signing a minor-league contract with the Padres in November, Wade will officially join the big-league club ahead of San Diego's opening series in South Korea against the Dodgers. Wade slashed .294/.351/.471 across 37 spring plate appearances and gives the Padres another option at third base due to Manny Machado (elbow) being limited to a DH role at the moment.

The Padres selected Merrill to the 26-man active roster Tuesday.

Merrill spent last season in High-A and Double-A, slashing .277/.326/.444 between the two levels, and he seemed poised to reach Triple-A heading into spring camp. However, the 20-year-old prospect went 13-for-37 with two homers and six RBI during spring training, earning himself the job as the Padres' primary center fielder. Now that he's in the majors, fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if Merrill struggles to initially adjust to MLB pitching, but he certainly has the potential for a successful big-league career.

Duran started at first base and went 2-for-3 with a run scored in Tuesday's spring game against Oakland.

Duran got the start at first after a report earlier in the day indicated the Rangers' preference is to have Duran and Jared Walsh platoon at first base while Nathaniel Lowe (oblique) is on the injured list to start the season. If the Rangers are floating that, it could mean Duran would not be needed to cover shortstop for Corey Seager (groin), who has started swinging a bat and has not been ruled out for Opening Day.

Perdomo (knee) is in the Diamondbacks' lineup for Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Cubs.

Perdomo injured his knee on a slide during a Cactus League game last week, but a long-term absence was never likely for the 24-year-old. Perdomo is just 4-for-25 through 10 spring games, but he remains the favorite to start at shortstop for the D-backs on Opening Day.

The Giants optioned Lopez to Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The Giants acquired Lopez from Toronto during the offseason, and he will return to the minors to begin the season after going 5-for-21 with a homer and nine RBI during the spring. Lopez has three hits in five career MLB plate appearances, though he will have to prove he can perform consistently in Triple-A before he can secure a big-league role.

Smith got hit by a pitch on his hand and left Tuesday's Cactus League game against the A's, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

After getting hit by the pitch, Smith was pulled from the game, with Sebastian Walcott entering to pinch run. The shortstop is competing for a bench role, though he has minor-league options remaining. The 26-year-old now has a .231/.447/.385 slash line in 14 games this spring with four doubles and eight walks against nine strikeouts.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that Kessinger (hamstring) will be held out of activities for a few days, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Kessinger strained his right hamstring during Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins and remained sore Tuesday. While Espada hasn't ruled the 26-year-old out for Opening Day, a stint on the injured list is distinctly possible.

Duran could open the season in the short side of a platoon at first base with Jared Walsh while Nathaniel Lowe (oblique) is out, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

Duran might be needed at shortstop instead if Corey Seager (groin) isn't ready, but for now there seems to be optimism Seager can avoid the injured list. The 24-year-old Duran saw action at six different positions for the Rangers in 2023, not including designated hitter, and will fill a utility role again when the rest of the roster is healthy.

Reds manager David Bell said Tuesday that McLain (shoulder) is expected to be fine, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

McLain had to be scratched from Monday's lineup with left shoulder soreness, but it sounds like the Reds were just being cautious. He's tentatively listed to return to action Wednesday, although Bell noted that they might choose to give McLain an additional day just to be safe. McLain has been limited to just five games this spring because of oblique and now shoulder problems, and he's 0-for-13 with seven strikeouts in those contests.