MLB Player News

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Monday that Madrigal will be "out for a long time" after being diagnosed with a fractured left shoulder, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Madrigal had already been diagnosed with a shoulder dislocation, and further testing has revealed additional damage. There's no clear timeline yet for how long he might be sidelined, but it will likely be several months. With Madrigal out, Luisangel Acuna could have a better chance to make the Mets' Opening Day roster.

Manaea has been diagnosed with a right oblique strain and is expected to begin the season on the 15-day injured list, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Manaea will be shut down for a couple weeks before being re-evaluated, but even in a best-case scenario he will not have time to be built back up for Opening Day. It's another blow to the Mets' starting pitching depth after it was revealed last week that Frankie Montas has a right lat strain. The club has been planning to deploy a six-man rotation early in the season, but it might now have to rethink that strategy.

Abrams will be moved back into the leadoff spot this season, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports. "CJ's going to lead off," manager Dave Martinez said. "The [Nos.] 3-4-5 will be kind of different a little bit. The [No.] 2 might be different at times. But we do know CJ's going to lead off for us."

Abrams was moved out of the leadoff spot late in the season last year in favor of prospect Dylan Crews when Crews was promoted, but the team will reverse that decision this year. Abrams struggled so much in the second half (.203/.260/.326 with an 11th percentile chase rate) that his ability to remain in that capacity as a leadoff hitter is in question.

Chace is on a slower progression than other pitchers in Phillies camp after not being able to throw as often as hoped this offseason in his native Venezuela, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Chace has been throwing off a mound but has yet to face hitters this spring. Acquired from the Orioles at the trade deadline in the deal that sent Gregory Soto to Baltimore, the 21-year-old Chace is likely to begin the 2025 campaign in the Double-A Reading rotation.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol considers the center field job to be an open competition between Scott, Michael Siani and Lars Nootbaar, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Nootbaar is the only one of the three guaranteed a regular role, and with Nolan Arenado still around the chances of those reps coming in center field are higher. However, Scott and Siani are also firmly in the mix, particularly if Marmol leans more toward defense. Scott could be the team's long-term answer at the position, but he struggled mightily in 2024 with just a .502 OPS. The Cardinals will want him playing every day, so if he doesn't win the center field gig he's likely to open the season at Triple-A Memphis.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol considers the center field job an open competition between Siani, Victor Scott and Lars Nootbaar, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

If the Cardinals had been able to trade Nolan Arenado, Nootbaar would've been slated for everyday left fielder duty. With Arenado still around -- at least for now -- Brendan Donovan will see more time in left field, which would push Nootbaar to center. Siani and Scott are the superior defenders, though, and will have an opportunity to stake their claim to the job. The 26-year-old Siani led St. Louis with 96 starts in center field in 2024 and is an elite defender, but he was one of the worst hitters in baseball with a lowly .570 OPS.

Hernandez signed a minor-league deal with the Marlins in November.

Hernandez is starting in left field and batting ninth in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros. He was once a top prospect with the Rays but he slid down the defensive spectrum and hit .187 in 44 games at Triple-A last year.

Espinal started at shortstop and went 1-for-2 with a triple and a run scored in Sunday's spring game against the Giants.

Espinal has appeared in two Cactus League games -- both at shortstop -- and made an impact in both. Prior to Sunday's triple, he homered in a split-squad game against the Brewers on Saturday. The 30-year-old utility infielder/outfielder was useful to the Reds in 2024, establishing career highs in home runs (nine) and steals (11), as the team dealt with injuries throughout the roster. Cincinnati re-signed him during the offseason, presumably with the intent of having him fill a similar role in 2025.

Abbott (shoulder) returned to camp Sunday after being away for two days due to illness, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Abbott is not yet scheduled to face hitters in a live batting practice session. The Reds will check in with the left-hander to determine the impact of the last two days of inactivity, then make decisions on the next steps of Abbott's progression.

Steer (shoulder) is scheduled to begin throwing Monday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Steer is delayed in playing the field due to a sore right shoulder. He is able to DH and did so for one Cactus League game thus far.