MLB Player News

Dunn (back) will start at third base and bat cleanup in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks.

After a standout performance last spring, Dunn secured a spot on the Brewers' Opening Day roster. He slashed .221/.282./316 with one home run and three stolen bases in 104 plate appearances for Milwaukee, but he didn't see any action after mid-June due to a disc issue in his back. The 27-year-old seems to be back to full health again following a lengthy layoff, and he's already off to another hot start this spring, going 4-for-9 with a home run, a walk and two stolen bases through his first three spring games. Dunn is once again competing for a utility infield role with the Brewers, though he could be in the mix for a strong-side platoon role at third base if Milwaukee opts not to carry infield prospect Caleb Durbin on its Opening Day roster.

Baty went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.

The 25-year-old got the start at third base and hooked a Hayden Wesneski offering over the right-field fence in the third inning for his first long ball of the spring. Baty isn't going to unseat Mark Vientos at the hot corner, but he's getting a look all around the infield in camp, including at shortstop. If Baty demonstrates he can handle the defensive demands, he might take over the utility infielder job originally ticketed for Nick Madrigal (shoulder) on the Opening Day roster.

Walton could make the Opening Day roster with Nick Madrigal (shoulder) set to begin the season on the 60-day IL, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The Mets need a backup shortstop behind Francisco Lindor, and Walton is the best defensive option the team has in camp for the job. The 30-year-old has received 205 big-league plate appearances over five seasons split between the Mariners and Giants but managed just a .532 OPS, although his minor-league offensive numbers do offer some hope he could contribute with his bat as well -- Walton slashed .303/.377/.438 over 99 games for Triple-A Sacramento in 2024. The Mets would need to find room on the 40-man roster for Walton if they want to bring him north, and if Brett Baty proves in camp that he can play an adequate shortstop, he might get the first chance to fill the team's open bench spot.

Minter believes he'll be able to regain his prior velocity following last August's hip surgery, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

The 31-year-old southpaw averaged a career-high 96.7 mph with his fastball in 2022, leading to a 34.7 percent strikeout rate, but those numbers declined to 94.6 mph and a 26.1 percent K rate in 2024. "It's more of the biomechanical side, how to use my legs again," Minter said this week. "[The Mets] were showing me a few examples of the past. Like, in the '22 season, I was really good and throwing really hard. Then you could see the steady decline in my mechanics and then my velocity." Minter is being brought along slowly this spring, but he's expected to be ready to fill a high-leverage role in the bullpen early in the season, if not by Opening Day.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Wednesday that Marte (knee) will begin taking live batting practice in early March, but the veteran outfielder doesn't have a target date for playing in Grapefruit League games, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Though the Mets reportedly dangled Marte in trade talks during the offseason, he's poised to stick around in New York for a fourth season. However, Marte may have to settle for a lesser role than he's handled in the past. Over the past two seasons, Marte has submitted a .258/.314/.357 slash line (90 wRC+) over 711 plate appearances, with injuries costing him significant time and hindering his overall production when he's been healthy enough to play. While Marte was available during the Mets' playoff run last fall, DiComo notes that he's been battling soreness in his right knee off and on since at least last summer. In an effort to preserve Marte's health heading into the start of the season, the Mets have been easing the 36-year-old along slowly during spring training, with Mendoza noting that Marte has had "some good days, some not so good," during his running progression, per Tim Healey of Newsday. The expectation remains that Marte will be ready to go for Opening Day, despite lacking a clear timeline for his Grapefruit League debut.

Nimmo (foot) is expected to make his Grapefruit League debut soon, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Nimmo battled plantar fasciitis in his left foot for much of the 2024 season and into the offseason, as well. However, he said at the start of camp that his foot is feeling normal again, and making his first spring training appearance in early March is a typical schedule for him. There's a threat of Nimmo's foot problem flaring up again, but for now he's in a good spot with Opening Day a little more than a month away.

Hagenman could be get a look in the Mets' rotation this season, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.

New York has already seen Sean Manaea (oblique) and Frankie Montas (lat) go down this spring, with both pitchers expected to begin the season on the injured list. If the spate of injuries continues, Hagenman might be the next man up, especially if the team wants to deploy a six-man rotation in April during a 13-day stretch with no off days. The 28-year-old right-hander has yet to make his MLB debut. but he's on the 40-man roster and posted a 4.91 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 98:31 K:BB over 91.2 innings for Triple-A Worcester in the Boston organization last season.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Wednesday that Nunez (elbow) will not appear in a Grapefruit League game "anytime soon," Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The Mets maintain that Nunez is healthy and still can be ready in time for Opening Day, but they are taking things extra slowly after the reliever battled a flexor strain in the second half last season. Nunez is projected to see leverage innings in the Mets' bullpen this season, if he can stay healthy.

Waddell might be an option for the Mets' rotation this season, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.

New York has already seen Sean Manaea (oblique) and Frankie Montas (lat) go down this spring, with both pitchers expected to begin the season on the injured list. If the spate of injuries continues, Waddell could find himself in the mix for some March or April starts. The 30-year-old southpaw hasn't pitched in the majors since 2021, spending the last three years in the KBO, and after signing him to a minor-league contract in December, the Mets would need to find room for him on the 40-man roster in order to add him to the big-league rotation.

Miller (concussion) will throw a bullpen session Friday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Miller remains in concussion protocol as a result of a line drive he took off the head during his first Cactus League appearance last week. He's been cleared to throw this week, however, and he'll continue to ramp up with the goal of returning to game action before long.