MLB Player News

Thomas enters spring training listed second on Arizona's depth chart in center field.

Jake McCarthy, who was in Thomas' shoes at the start of camp in 2024, is listed as the starting center fielder and deserves to be. Thomas suffered through an injury marred season and barely hit when healthy (.603 OPS). Meanwhile, McCarthy was a competent fill-in during the first half and eventually exploded in July/August (.878 OPS). The Diamondbacks don't lose much in the way of defense with McCarthy -- though Thomas is clearly the best outfield defender on the team -- and the former's bat has been an asset in addition to his work on the basepaths (74 steals from 2022 to 2024). Thomas hit the ball hard last year, but a lot of it was on the ground. If the 24-year-old shows improvement at the plate during spring training, that could force a decision for manager Torey Lovullo.

La Sorsa was not present at spring training Tuesday due to an illness, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

La Sorsa, who is in camp as a non-roster invitee, is due back in a few days. The left-hander appeared in 16 games for the Nationals in 2024, posting a 4.58 ERA and 1.25 WHIP while giving up four home runs in 17.2 innings.

Lux is expected to see time at first, second and third base as well as the outfield this spring, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Lux was projected to be the everyday second baseman upon being acquired by the Reds, but manager Terry Francona indicated Tuesday that Lux will be exposed to several positions. Lux moved between shortstop and second base for the Dodgers in 2024.

Reds manager Terry Francona said Tuesday that he'd like to see Encarnacion-Strand play third base during spring training, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Encarnacion-Strand was expected to be the team's primary first baseman in 2024, but hand and wrist injuries limited him to 29 games. He started seven games at third base for the Reds in 2023, and the hot corner was a regular spot for Encarnacion-Strand in the minors and college. Francona indicated that several infielders will "move around" at the beginning of spring training before the manager settles on a position for players like Encarnacion-Strand, Gavin Lux and Jeimer Candelario.

Horwitz will miss time during spring training due to a right wrist injury, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Horwitz was traded from Toronto to Cleveland and then Pittsburgh back in December and was expected to begin 2025 as the Pirates' primary first baseman. However, he suffered a wrist injury in the offseason that required surgery and has yet to shed his cast. There's no telling if the infielder's absence will extend into the regular season, but if he ends up beginning the season on the injured list, Jared Triolo would likely be the next man up to start at first.

Phillips is unlikely to be ready for Opening Day due to the shoulder injury that kept him out of the 2024 World Series, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Phillips was originally held out of the World Series due to "arm fatigue," but it was revealed Tuesday that he suffered a tear in his rotator cuff during the NLCS. The 30-year-old reliever received a platelet-rich plasma injection in his shoulder in November and wasn't able to start a throwing program until January. It's unclear how far behind schedule Phillips is, but there's a growing chance he will begin the regular season on the injured list.

Stone (shoulder) was placed on the 60-day injured list by the Dodgers on Tuesday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Stone was already expected to miss the entirety of the 2025 season after undergoing right shoulder surgery in October, so his move to the 60-day IL was an expected one. The transaction cleared a spot for Enrique Hernandez to join the 40-man roster after the Dodgers and Hernandez officially agreed on a one-year, $6.5 million contract Tuesday.

Curtiss signed a minor-league contract with the Diamondbacks on Tuesday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Most of Curtiss' time last season was spent at Triple-A Albuquerque, where he turned in a 3.96 ERA and 1.32 WHIP over 50 regular-season frames. However, his recent performance in the majors hasn't been as successful, as he's surrendered 14 earned runs in 22 regular-season innings since 2023. He'll have an opportunity to earn a spot at the end of Arizona's bullpen during spring training, but chances are he reports to Triple-A Reno to begin the 2025 campaign.

McGough signed a minor-league contract with the Diamondbacks on Tuesday that includes an invitation to spring training.

The Diamondbacks declined their half of McGough's $4 million mutual option earlier in the offseason, but they will ultimately retain the righty's services on a minor-league deal. The 35-year-old reliever struggled mightily in the big leagues last season, posting a 7.44 ERA and 1.68 WHIP across 32.2 innings. Barring a drastic turnaround in spring training, he'll likely fill in as bullpen depth for Triple-A Reno.

The Brewers signed Seigler to a minor-league contract Nov. 19 that includes an invitation to spring training.

Seigler was a first-round pick of the Yankees back in 2018 but has yet to advance past the Double-A level, having slashed .234/.350/.398 with 12 homers and 29 steals at Double-A Somerset during the 2024 minor-league season. He was a full-time second baseman last season after primarily being a catcher previously. Seigler will likely begin the 2025 season at Triple-A Nashville.