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MLB Player News

  • Matt Shaw SS | CHC

    Cubs' Matt Shaw: Day-to-day with oblique issue

    Shaw is nursing an oblique injury but is considered day-to-day, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

    Oblique issues can be worrisome, but this at least appears to be a minor one. Still, any sort of setback for Shaw is not ideal since he is competing to be the Cubs' Opening Day third baseman. The team figures to hold their top prospect out of early spring training games.

  • Giants' Marco Luciano: Moving to outfield

    Giants manager Bob Melvin said Friday that Luciano will be used as a corner outfielder this spring, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

    It's not clear whether Luciano has been permanently moved from the infield, but the Giants have been mulling a shift to the outfield for him for a while and it's now coming to fruition. Luciano admitted to being "totally lost" at the plate last season, when he had just a .562 OPS and 34.6 percent strikeout rate in 27 games with the big club. The hope is that a move to a less taxing defensive position will help unlock his offensive potential. Luciano is likely to begin the 2025 season at Triple-A Sacramento.

  • Matt Shaw SS | CHC

    Cubs' Matt Shaw: Looks more secure in role

    Shaw's chances of starting the season as Chicago's regular third baseman seemingly improved when the club missed out on free agent Alex Bregman, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

    Shaw has seemingly had the inside track on the starting gig at the hot corner in recent weeks, though Bregman was looming in the background. However, now that the latter has signed with the Red Sox, Shaw seems to have a clearer path to the role. The 23-year-old will still need to have a solid spring, and the Cubs could still look to add a veteran option before camp ends, but any move now might be more along the lines of improving the bench. Shaw's fantasy outlook is on the rise, and he could be a breakout performer in 2025 given his prospect pedigree.

  • Pirates' Termarr Johnson: Looks healthy for camp

    Johnson (foot) was spotted taking grounders at second base during Thursday's spring training workout, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

    After suffering a right foot injury in an Oct. 9 game in the Arizona Fall League, Johnson was limited to just 11 games for the Scottsdale Scorpions and slashed .250/.444/.475 with a home run and three stolen bases. The injury doesn't appear to be anything that is limiting him early on during the spring, and though he's attending big-league camp with the Pirates, Johnson will likely be headed to Double-A Altoona to begin the 2025 season. The 20-year-old infielder remains one of Pittsburgh's top prospects and could make a push for his big-league debut later in the season if he continues to maintain high walk rates while putting his power and speed on display in the upper levels of the minors.

  • C.J. Abrams SS | WAS

    Nationals' CJ Abrams: Arrives early for camp

    Abrams reported to spring training Monday and disclosed that he added about 10 pounds of muscle during the offseason, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

    A first-time All-Star in 2024, Abrams posted a career-best .314 on-base percentage to go with excellent counting numbers (20 home runs, 31 steals, 65 RBI and 79 runs), but his achievements were somewhat overshadowed by a late-season demotion to the minors, which came after he stayed out past curfew at a casino the night before a day game at Wrigley Field. Abrams addressed the incident publicly for the first time Wednesday, expressing remorse for his actions while noting that he had been in communication with members of the Washington coaching staff throughout the offseason. Now up to 200 pounds and with the embarrassing off-field incident behind him, Abrams believes that he's better prepared to withstand the rigors of a 162-game schedule and perform more consistently after he struggled to a .586 OPS in the second half of last season.

  • Gavin Lux SS | CIN

    Reds' Gavin Lux: To move around in spring

    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.

  • Mets' Francisco Lindor: Sticking at leadoff

    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.

  • Gage Workman SS | CHC

    Cubs' Gage Workman: Could make team out of camp

    Workman, who was selected in the Rule 5 draft back in December, could make the Opening Day roster in a bench infielder role, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

    Workman, whom the Cubs poached from Detroit, has never appeared above the Double-A level, but the Cubs have to keep the Rule 5 pick in the majors all season if they want to retain him. While many Rule 5 picks get returned to their original team before Opening Day, it sounds like Workman's got a real shot to break camp with the Cubs. If Nico Hoerner (elbow) isn't tracking towards being ready for the start of the season, that would give Workman an even better chance of making the team.

  • Jose Tena SS | WAS

    Nationals' Jose Tena: Competing for third base job

    Tena will battle with Trey Lipscomb in spring training for the Nationals' starting job at third base, Bobby Blanco of MASN Sports reports.

    Tena showed some upside at the plate after being acquired from the Guardians in the Lane Thomas trade last year, slashing .274/.305/.363 over 41 games for the Nats with three homers and six steals in seven attempts. The 23-year-old mostly played shortstop in the minors however, and defensively he has a lot of work to do at the hot corner, committing nine errors on only 87 chances. Lipscomb has the stronger glove, but he stumbled to a .500 OPS in 61 big-league games in 2024. If Tena shows enough improvement in the field during camp, he'll be the favorite to get the nod at third base in the Opening Day lineup. Prospect Brady House could also get a look this spring, but he likely needs more development time at Triple-A before he'll be ready to take over the job.

  • Alika Williams SS | PIT

    Pirates' Alika Williams: Clears waivers

    Williams cleared waivers Friday and was sent outright to Triple-A Indianapolis, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

    The 25-year-old infielder was booted off the Pirates' 40-man roster Monday to make room for Tim Mayza, but Williams went unclaimed off waivers and will remain in the organization. He slashed .311/.384/.396 with 13 RBI across 186 plate appearances in Triple-A last season, but he owns just a .529 OPS over his major-league career.

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