MLB Player News

Manager Carlos Mendoza said Tuesday that Lindor will bat leadoff again for the Mets in 2025, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The 31-year-old operated as New York's primary leadoff man last season, and it's hardly a surprise he'll stick there in 2025 after posting a .273/.344/.500 slash line with 33 homers, 29 steals, 91 RBI and 107 runs in 152 regular-season games. The offseason signing of Juan Soto and re-signing of Pete Alonso should help Lindor remain one of the most productive leadoff men in MLB.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Tuesday that Mauricio (knee) isn't expected to play in Grapefruit League games until mid-March, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

It effectively rules him out for Opening Day, which isn't a surprise. Mauricio underwent right ACL surgery in December 2023 and then had a cleanup operation on his knee in August, forcing him to miss the entire 2024 campaign. He will be brought along slowly and either begin the season on the injured list or at Triple-A Syracuse.

Bryant's offseason workouts focused on core strength and flexibility in the hope that it will help keep him healthy in 2025, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

The Rockies also plan to use Bryant in the designated-hitter slot at home in order to limit his exposure to the difficult environment and spacious right field. Bryant -- who will be used some in right field on the road -- has played just 159 games over three regular seasons for the Rockies, largely due to back and foot issues. He is entering spring training healthy.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Tuesday that Megill will be stretched out as a starting pitcher this spring, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

The Mets' current plan is to open the season with a six-man rotation, and Megill will be in the mix for one of those last two spots along with David Peterson, Griffin Canning and Paul Blackburn (back). Megill could eventually shift to a relief role, although he does have minor-league options left; therefore, the righty could also open the season in the Triple-A Syracuse rotation.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Tuesday that Butto will remain in the team's bullpen, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Butto made seven starts for the Mets in 2024 and has been a starter throughout his time in the minors, but he found his niche in the bullpen down the stretch last season, collecting a 2.00 ERA and 41:17 K:BB over 36 regular-season innings. The righty will be tasked with getting some key outs in a setup role.

Yelich (back) "has a chance" to be ready for Opening Day, but "it isn't a lock," Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Yelich underwent a microdiscectomy procedure in August to address a herniated disc in his lower back and will not be 100 percent at the beginning of spring training. His rehab has gone well to this point, but the big test will come when he ramps things up in workouts and games this spring. If Yelich does need a little time on the injured list to start the season, it could open up more playing time for Blake Perkins, Jake Bauers, Tyler Black and Isaac Collins, among others.

De La Cruz is expected to platoon in right field with Jarred Kelenic until Ronald Acuna (knee) is cleared to return to the lineup, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

As the right-handed hitter of the duo, De La Cruz would be on the short side of that platoon, although manager Brian Snitker could also choose to ride the hot hand. De La Cruz slashed .285/.309/.425 in 188 regular-season plate appearances against left-handed pitching in 2024, albeit with a 25.0 percent strikeout rate against a meager 3.2 percent walk rate, so he would appear to have a reasonable chance of thriving in that role over the first month or so of the season until Acuna is back in action.

Profar could hit leadoff for Atlanta until Ronald Acuna (knee) is fully healthy, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Michael Harris might also see action at the top of the lineup, but Profar appears to be the team's best leadoff option while Acuna completes his recovery from ACL surgery. In 83 regular-season plate appearances at leadoff for the Padres last season, Profar delivered an eye-popping .451 OBP, helping to fuel his career-high .380 season-long mark in that category. The 31-year-old also scored a career-high 94 runs in 2024, and he could challenge triple digits if he sees significant time hitting ahead of the likes of Austin Riley, Matt Olson and Marcell Ozuna this season.

Acuna (knee) will be brought along cautiously by Atlanta in order to try and avoid the struggles he experienced in 2022, after his first ACL surgery, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

The star outfielder underwent surgery to repair his right ACL in July 2021 and was back in the lineup by April 28 the following season, but Acuna dealt with lingering soreness that year and wound up finishing 2022 with a disappointing .266/.351/.413 slash line over 119 regular-season games. This time around, Acuna is recovering from surgery on his left knee performed in June 2024, and while the extra month-plus of rehab will help, Atlanta still figures to be very careful with his return timeline. It wouldn't be a surprise if the 27-year-old didn't make his 2025 debut until early May.

The Phillies believe Stott's offense was limited by elbow soreness last season, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Stott never went on the injured list in 2024, but he evidently dealt with a sore elbow for much of the season that the club believes affected his ability to drive the ball. The numbers back up the theory, as the 27-year-old's regular-season slugging percentage fell from .419 to .356, his home-run total dropped from 15 to 11 and his doubles output dipped from 32 to 19. Stott is expected to be healthy at the start of spring training and could be in line for a bounce-back year at the plate.