MLB Player News

The Cubs optioned Mervis to Triple-A Iowa on Sunday.

Despite posting a strong slash line of .300/.432/.400 in 19 Cactus League games, Mervis fell well shy of making the season-opening 26-man roster, as he was cut with 42 players still remaining in big-league camp. After a rough showing in his first taste of the big leagues in 2023, Mervis will likely need to mash at Iowa and/or wait for an injury to hit the Cubs' first-base/designated-hitter ranks before he gets another extended opportunity in Chicago.

Despite going 0-for-4 in Friday's Cactus League game against the White Sox, Mervis is batting a solid .259 this spring with a .782 OPS.

While the numbers don't jump off the page, they're an improvement from 2023, when Mervis batted just .167 with a .531 OPS across 27 games, which marked his MLB debut. This year, the 25-year-old may have to settle for a bench role due to Michael Busch now being on the roster and expected to start at first. However, both players are fairly inexperienced at the MLB level, so Mervis could emerge if Busch struggles.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Thursday that Gallo will be the team's primary first baseman this season, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

When Gallo was signed in January, the plan was for him to be the club's regular left fielder. However, the Nats have since signed Jesse Winker and Eddie Rosario and Gallo has also dealt with a quad issue. Martinez didn't rule out the possibility of Gallo eventually playing some outfield, but for now he'll be the first baseman while mixing in some starts at designated hitter. The news means Joey Meneses will be the everyday DH, while Rosario looks like the favorite for left field duties.

Rivas has gone 3-for-26 (.115) over 15 Grapefruit League games.

Rivas' hold on a 40-man roster spot is tenuous at best after being waived by three teams in the offseason. He's stuck around with the Cardinals for a while, but his poor hitting in the spring has left him with little chance of leapfrogging Alec Burleson for a spot as a backup first baseman/outfielder. Rivas hit a poor .229 with a .725 OPS over 48 games between the Pirates and the Padres last season.

Young has gone 2-for-31 (.065) over 15 Grapefruit League games.

Young provides organizational depth at the corner infield and corner outfield spots, but he's yet to get in a groove during spring training. The 28-year-old was claimed off waivers from the Cubs in November. Young's poor hitting in spring will likely mean he begins the year in the minors.

Smith disclosed this week in an interview with Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic that he's dealt with some form of right wrist or hand pain since reaching the majors in 2017.

Smith suffered a displaced fracture of his hamate bone in a Jan. 5 workout and underwent surgery Jan. 20 to remove the bone. The first baseman was diagnosed with tendinitis in the wrist years ago but suspects he might have been dealing with a small fracture all along that just worsened in January. Smith is in Cubs camp as a non-roster invitee and is competing for one of the final bench spots.

Toglia (neck) will start at first base and bat cleanup in Thursday's Cactus League game against the Guardians.

Toglia was scratched from the starting nine ahead of Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks while he dealt with neck stiffness, but the injury doesn't look to be anything that will derail his bid for the Opening Day roster. The 25-year-old corner outfielder/first baseman has made a compelling case to win a bench role with the Rockies this spring, as he's slashing .333/.429/.700 through his first 14 Cactus League games.

Montero may be forcing his way into the lineup with his performance this spring, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Montero is projected to be on the Opening Day roster, though his fit in the starting lineup is unclear. He'd likely gain at-bats at designated hitter due to his defensive deficiencies, which would in turn push Charlie Blackmon to the outfield while endangering Sean Bouchard's playing time. Montero has displayed a familiar profile this spring, as he's posted an impressive .333 ISO but is still striking out at a 27 percent clip.

Toglia was scratched from the Rockies' Cactus League lineup for Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks due to neck stiffness, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Toglia should be considered day-to-day. Hunter Goodman will take Toglia's spot in the lineup, playing first base and batting eighth.

Gallo (quadricep) will start at first base and bat cleanup in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

After experiencing a sore left quad following his third appearance of the spring back on Feb. 28, Gallo was out of the lineup for about a week before returning to action Thursday and Friday. He was limited to designated hitter duties on both days, but Gallo's ability to play the field Monday suggests that the quad injury is firmly in the rear-view mirror at this stage.