MLB Player News

Manager Skip Schumaker said Sunday that he expects Nimmo to open the season as the Rangers' everyday right fielder and leadoff hitter, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Josh Smith served as Texas' primary leadoff man in 2025, but Nimmo's .350 career OBP and less extreme splits make for a more logical choice at the top of the order. After batting fourth or fifth for much of last season with the Mets, Nimmo will lose out on RBI opportunities with the move, but he could make a push for his first 100-run campaign since 2022 while hitting in front of Corey Seager and Wyatt Langford. The move to right field could prove to be a more challenging adjustment for Nimmo, as he hasn't seen action there since 2020.

Moncada reported to spring training Sunday 20 pounds lighter, and he hopes the reduced weight will help him stay healthy, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Moncada re-signed with the Angels on a one-year, $4 million contract in January after posting a .234/.336/.448 slash line with 12 home runs in 84 games last year. The 30-year-old spent time on the injured list with thumb and knee injuries, marking the third straight season in which he's played in fewer than 100 games.

Sborz (shoulder) tossed a bullpen session Saturday, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

The 32-year-old righty looks to be healthy for the start of spring training after he was limited to just a handful of minor-league rehab appearances in 2025 after undergoing surgery on his throwing shoulder in November 2024. After the Rangers non-tendered him in November, Sborz re-signed with the organization on a minor-league deal in January. He'll need to regain his pre-surgery velocity and command in order to make a serious run at a spot in the Opening Day bullpen.

Henderson (personal) rejoined the Orioles at camp Sunday and was spotted participating in infield work, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Henderson missed three days of workouts while attending to a personal matter, but the brief absence shouldn't affect his readiness for the start of the season. The 24-year-old shortstop is scheduled to leave camp again later this month to join Team USA for the World Baseball Classic.

Smith confirmed Sunday that he's preparing to mainly play second base in 2026 following the trade of Marcus Semien, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

Smith finished second on the Rangers with 563 plate appearances a season ago, but he didn't have a permanent home at any one position. The super-utility player instead filled in as injuries dictated, logging 46 starts at shortstop, 28 at third base, 23 at first base, 14 in the outfield, 10 at designated hitter and three at second base. He'll carry eligibility at shortstop, third base and first base in most fantasy leagues heading into 2026, and he should also be usable for at keystone quickly if manager Skip Schumaker commits to him as the club's primary second baseman. The Rangers could look to deploy the left-handed-hitting Smith on the strong side of a platoon, as slashed just .206/.277/.224 (47 wRC+) in 121 plate appearances against southpaws last season.

Tigers manager AJ Hinch said Sunday that Keith will focus on playing third base and first base during spring training and will only return to second base if Detroit has injuries there, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

The 24-year-old played both the keystone and the hot corner in the minors, and second base is where he spent almost all of his time as a rookie in 2024. Keith moved around more last season, playing 18 games at first base, 26 at second and 37 at third while posting a .746 OPS over 137 regular-season games. He's expected to begin 2026 as Detroit's primary third baseman, but his playing time could be impacted by the eventual arrival of top prospect Kevin McGonigle.

After setting a franchise record for strikeouts last season, Greene is focused on making more consistent contact in 2026, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

On balance, Greene had a productive 2025 campaign, as he set new career highs with 36 home runs, 84 runs scored and 111 RBI over 157 regular-season games. He also had a career-worst 30.7 percent strikeout rate and saw his batting average (.258) and OBP (.313) dip from 2024. The talented outfielder said he may have been too focused on going deep, so he's going to try to be more selective and take what the pitcher gives him. He may also implement some small mechanical tweaks to his swing. The tradeoff could mean a drop in homers for Greene this year, but the 25-year-old remains a top fantasy target, and there's still room for growth in his game.

Yoshida's role for the 2026 roster is uncertain entering training camp, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Yoshida enters the fourth year of a five-year contract having underwhelmed since his arrival in Boston. Injuries have played a part, but the 32-year-old has also been passed on the depth chart by younger options. A shoulder injury to open 2025 limited him to 55 regular-season games in which he recorded an unremarkable slash line of .266/.307/.388, but an .837 OPS during the month of September suggests the shoulder was still an issue most of the year. Designated hitter appears to be his best fit, but the Red Sox also need to figure out a spot for Triston Casas (knee) when he's cleared to play, and the team already has four other outfielders pushing for regular at-bats.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Sunday that Uceta arrived at camp with a "cranky shoulder" and won't be available to pitch for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic as a result, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Cash labeled the decision to pull Uceta out of the WBC as precautionary and indicated that the Rays fully expect the right-hander to be ready to go for Opening Day. The team heads into the upcoming season without a set closer after letting Pete Fairbanks walk in free agency, and Uceta could factor into the team's late-inning mix if his shoulder isn't a concern. The 28-year-old netted one save and 21 holds over 70 appearances last season while racking up an impressive 103 strikeouts across 76 frames.

Casas (knee) will be doing individual drills when the Red Sox have their first full-squad workout Sunday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

He'll be taking part in drills similar to the rest of the team. For the first time in three seasons, Casas does not enter camp as the primary starter at first base, as offseason trade acquisition Willson Contreras will handle the position. That leaves designated hitter as a potential landing spot for Casas once he's healthy, and he could provide a boost to a lineup that, on paper, lacks power. Any of Boston's four main outfielders could also slot in at DH, however, and Masataka Yoshida will be in the mix as well. Casas, who is recovering from May 2025 knee surgery, isn't expected to be ready for game action by Opening Day.