MLB Player News

Brujan plans to be more aggressive in attempting to steal bases this season with the Cubs, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Brujan stole only five bases and was caught six times in 2024 during his lone season in Miami, and he said the Marlins "didn't give me the green light that I needed." Following an offseason trade to the Cubs, the 27-year-old decided that he's "going to be myself" and "going to steal bases." Brujan was a prolific base stealer in the minors and his sprint speed was in the 91st percentile in his rookie season with the Rays back in 2021. However, he went only 9-for-17 in stolen-base attempts over 99 regular-season games across three seasons with Tampa Bay, and last year with the Marlins his sprint speed was down in the 53rd percentile. Brujan is already 4-for-4 on stolen-base attempts this spring, so he's held true to his word so far, and he's also posted a 1.042 OPS. That said, if the career .189/.261/.270 hitter doesn't improve at the plate, his intentions on the bases could be irrelevant. Brujan is aiming to win a utility role with Chicago this season.

Garcia went 1-for-1 with two walks and a solo home run in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins.

The second baseman got hold of a Valente Bellozo offering in the fourth inning for his first homer of the spring. Garcia is 3-for-8 with three walks against only one strikeout through his first four Grapefruit League appearances in camp, as the 24-year-old looks to demonstrate that his 2024 breakout was no fluke.

Wood went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins.

Seeing his first action of the spring in left field after serving as the DH in his first two appearances while dealing with a quad issue, Wood belted a Valente Bellozo pitch out to left-center field in the fourth inning. It was the first homer of the spring for the 22-year-old, and the Nationals are expecting big things from the 2021 second-round pick after he slashed .264/.354/.427 over 79 regular-season games in his MLB debut last year with nine home runs and 14 steals.

Edwards hit leadoff in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals, going 1-for-2 with a walk and two runs scored.

The speedy shortstop is almost certain to be atop the order when Opening Day rolls around after breaking out for a .328/.397/.423 slash line over 303 plate appearances with the Marlins last season. Edwards also swiped 31 bases on 35 attempts over 70 regular-season games, and he's made it his stated goal to take a run at 60 steals in 2025. If your roster or league format can accommodate his lack of power, Edwards offers some strong three-category fantasy appeal.

Nimmo had an MRI on his injured right knee Tuesday which showed inflammation, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Nimmo's one and only Grapefruit League game came last Friday, and he had been slated to return to action earlier this week but wasn't quite ready. He said Thursday that he's waiting for "the last 10 percent" of the soreness in his knee to go away before he returns to the lineup, so it sounds like it's imminent. Nimmo is also coming back from a lingering plantar fasciitis issue in his left foot. While it hasn't been an ideal start to camp, the outfielder should be fine for Opening Day if he can avoid setbacks.

Maldonado (elbow) is listed on San Francisco's roster for its March 15 Spring Breakout game versus Texas prospects, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Maldonado's inclusion on the roster suggests that he's likely back to full health again after completing his recovery from December 2023 Tommy John surgery. The 21-year-old righty from Venezuela struck out 81 batters over 65 innings at Single-A San Jose in 2023, but he struggled with his control (13.9 BB%).

McFarlane (elbow) is listed on the Philadelphia roster for its March 14 Spring Breakout game against Pittsburgh prospects, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

The 23-year-old righty McFarlane appears to be heading into the 2025 season at full health after he didn't pitch in 2024 while recovering from his September 2023 Tommy John surgery. Before requiring surgery that season, McFarlane made 16 starts for Single-A Clearwater and turned in a 5.84 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and 68:38 K:BB in 49.1 innings.

Escobar (shin) is listed on the Philadelphia roster for its March 14 Spring Breakout game against Pittsburgh prospects, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

A 2022 signee out of Venezuela, Escobar made his debut in affiliated ball in 2024, slashing .338/.495/.481 with three home runs and nine stolen bases across 104 plate appearances in the rookie-level Florida Complex League. He developed shin splints and didn't end up playing after June 8, but Escobar looks to be back to full health this spring. The 20-year-old infield prospect could open the season with Single-A Clearwater.

The Giants optioned McDonald to Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

McDonald made his major-league debut during the final game of the regular-season last year, tossing three scoreless relief innings, but he always seemed likely to begin the 2025 campaign back at Sacramento. The 24-year-old will serve as rotation depth in the minors.

Showalter (shoulder) is listed on St. Louis' roster for its March 14 Spring Breakout game against Miami prospects.

The 21-year-old right-hander looks to be healthy again after he made his final appearance for Single-A Palm Beach on Aug. 1 last season before being shut down with a shoulder injury. Prior to going down with the injury, Showalter turned in a 2.62 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 59:18 K:BB in 34.1 innings out of the Palm Beach bullpen.