MLB Player News

Mateo is likely to provide depth in the infield and outfield in 2024, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

With Gunnar Henderson set to see most of his playing time at shortstop, Mateo is without a full-time spot in the Orioles' lineup. Mateo got some work in at second base over the winter and has previously played center field in his career. In Sunday's game versus Atlanta, Mateo started in right field and shifted to left during the contest. He's gone 9-for-32 (.281) with two home runs and six RBI in spring training, but he has yet to steal a base during Grapefruit League play. Speed and defense are his top skills, but it's looking like a short-side platoon role may be a best-case scenario for Mateo to begin 2024. It's possible he sees most of his time as a late-game replacement.

Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said Monday that Diaz (calf) is likely to begin the season on the injured list, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Diaz suffered a calf strain while rehabbing from a groin strain last week and won't be ready to resume a running program until later this week. He won't have enough time to fully ramp up ahead of Opening Day, even if he avoids another setback. In addition to the injury, Diaz's playing-time outlook also took a hit with the Athletics' recent addition of J.D. Davis.

Seager (groin) is scheduled to take live batting practice Monday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Seager has been trending in a good direction as he ramps back up following January sports hernia surgery. He has a chance to play in some Cactus League or exhibition games before the spring schedule comes to an end next Tuesday. If Seager is able to get into a game in the next week, he could be a realistic option for the Rangers' Opening Day lineup.

Arcia is day-to-day after an MRI on Monday confirmed that he did not sustain any fractures to his left hand, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Arcia exited Sunday's Grapefruit League game after being hit on the left hand by a pitch, but X-rays and now an MRI have both come back clean. He reported improvement with the hand Monday and should be ready to play in a day or two.

The Marlins reassigned Gray to minor-league camp Monday.

The 27-year-old Gray got the chance to make his big-league debut with the Rays in 2023, logging just five plate appearances for the club before he was outrighted off the 40-man roster following the season. Gray caught on with the Marlins on a minor-league deal after electing free agency, but he doesn't look to be in a much better position to see meaningful action in the majors in 2024. He'll serve as organizational depth at first base at Triple-A Jacksonville.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton said Monday that Peguero hasn't been featured in the Grapefruit League lineup since last Wednesday while he recovers from a virus, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

A bug seems to be making its way around the Pirates' spring facility in Bradenton, Fla., as Shelton also noted that reliever Colin Holderman hasn't been available since last Tuesday due to an illness. Peguero had already compiled 24 at-bats in Grapefruit League action before his recent absence, so assuming he's able to get back in action before the Pirates' spring schedule comes to a close March 25, his availability for Opening Day shouldn't be in question. The 23-year-old is likely to begin the season as the Pirates' everyday second baseman.

Allen (back) will start at shortstop and bat leadoff Monday in the Athletics' Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks.

Allen likely isn't a serious candidate to handle leadoff duties once the regular season gets underway, but Oakland presumably wants him to get in as many competitive at-bats as he can to close out the spring after a back strain had kept him out of Cactus League action since March 1. The shortstop checked out fine after participating in a minor-league game Sunday, so he'll be playing for the second consecutive day as he readies himself for the start of the regular season. Though he emerged as an everyday player for Oakland by the end of the 2023 campaign, Allen wasn't an appealing fantasy option, as he batted just .221 with four home runs, five stolen bases, 29 runs and 20 RBI over his 329 plate appearances.

Arcia will undergo an MRI this week after X-rays on his left hand came back negative, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Arcia's left hand feels much better Monday, one day after he exited a Grapefruit League game following a hit-by-pitch. He's set for additional imaging just to be safe, but he seems to have avoided any fractures and should be considered day-to-day.

The Nationals reassigned Baker to minor-league camp Sunday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Baker, the son of former player and manager Dusty Baker, was selected in the 10th round of the 2021 MLB Draft. Last season, the 25-year-old made the jump from High-A Wilmington to Triple-A Rochester. In Triple-A, he slashed .270/.336/.337 with three home runs across 448 plate appearances in 99 games. The second baseman notched four hits in 13 plate appearances during spring training.

The Athletics reassigned Muncy to minor-league camp Sunday.

Muncy was a first-round draft pick in 2021 and was promoted from Single-A Stockton to High-A Lansing last season in July. The shortstop has slashed .179/.233/.464 with two home runs across 30 plate appearances in 15 Cactus League games. Additionally, the 21-year-old struck out 14 times in those games.