MLB Player News
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Brandon Drury 1B | CHW
White Sox's Brandon Drury: Scratched Friday
Drury was scratched from the lineup for Friday's spring game against the Reds for unspecified reasons.
The 32-year-old was penciled in to start at first base but will instead sit out Friday's contest. After signing a minor-league contract with the White Sox in February, Drury has given himself a chance to make the Opening Day roster with a 1.260 OPS in 13 spring games.
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Paul Goldschmidt 1B | NYY
Yankees' Paul Goldschmidt: Expected back Saturday
Goldschmidt (back) said Friday that he expects to return to the lineup for Saturday's Grapefruit League game versus the Phillies, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.
Goldschmidt missed his target date to return, as he had hoped to play Thursday or Friday. However, he said his sore back is close to 100 percent and the decision was made to give it another day. Goldschmidt remains confident he'll be ready to go for Opening Day.
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Paul Goldschmidt 1B | NYY
Yankees' Paul Goldschmidt: Remains out Friday
Goldschmidt (back) remains out of the Yankees' lineup for Friday's contest against the Tigers, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.
Goldschmidt had targeted either Thursday or Friday for his return to Grapefruit League play, but that goal wasn't met. There's no cause for concern yet, as the Yankees are likely just exercising caution with the veteran first baseman. The club might have more on Goldschmidt's status later Friday.
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Christian Walker 1B | HOU
Astros' Christian Walker: Still on track for Opening Day
Walker (oblique) will get at-bats in minor-league games this weekend and continue to play in minor-league contests when the Astros return to Houston. He remains on track to be ready for Opening Day, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Walker had appeared set to return to Grapefruit League action this weekend, but the Astros have elected to have him play in minor-league games instead. This will allow him to get more at-bats to make up for lost time and also gives the Astros the option to backdate an injured list stint, should he suffer a setback. Walker has played only four Grapefruit League contests due to left oblique soreness.
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Pete Alonso 1B | NYM
Mets' Pete Alonso: Finally goes yard this spring
Alonso went 1-for-4 with a walk and a three-run home run in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.
He crushed a pitch from Miguel Castro over the left-field fence in the sixth inning. It was Alonso's first long ball this spring, but he also has four doubles among his nine hits while batting .220 (9-for-41) with a 7:8 BB:K. The slugging first baseman appears to be getting his timing down just in time for Opening Day.
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Vinnie Pasquantino 1B | KC
Royals' Vinnie Pasquantino: Sluggish spring at the plate
Pasquantino went 0-for-3 in Wednesday's spring training loss to the Giants. He's hitting .238 (10-for-42) with two home runs this spring.
Pasquantino is locked in as Kansas City's starting first baseman and No. 3 batter, and it isn't worth looking too closely at his spring numbers. More important than the spring production, the 27-year-old is healthy this spring after suffering a broken thumb that limited him late last season.
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Chandler Redmond 1B | STL
Chandler Redmond: Cut by Cards
The Cardinals released Redmond on Wednesday.
Redmond will enter the open market after spending six years in the Cardinals organization. The 28-year-old reached Triple-A for the first time last season, where he slashed .200/.297/.354 across 74 plate appearances. He may have a shot at signing with another club as minor-league depth, but his chances of reaching the big leagues are slim.
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Paul Goldschmidt 1B | NYY
Yankees' Paul Goldschmidt: Targeting Friday return
Manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that the team hopes to have Goldschmidt (back) back in the lineup Friday, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.
Goldschmidt will participate in baseball activities Thursday, and if he manages to get through everything without a problem, he'll return to the starting nine Friday against the Tigers. The veteran first baseman has been great in the Grapefruit League this spring, going 10-for-32 with three homers, 10 RBI and seven runs scored in 13 games.
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Willson Contreras C | STL
Cardinals' Willson Contreras: Blistering ball this spring
Contreras reached base in all three of his plate appearances Wednesday versus the Nationals and is now slashing .412/.512/.588 during Grapefruit League play.
Contreras has drawn positive reviews for his defense at first base, and if this spring is any indication, a move off catcher could unlock more offense for the 32-year-old. He's expected to see most of his action at first base in 2025 but will also be used some at designated hitter, as he was Wednesday.
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LaMonte Wade RF | LAA
Giants' LaMonte Wade: Likely to bat leadoff vs. righties
Wade is expected to begin the regular season batting leadoff against right-handed pitchers, Maria Guardado of MLB.com reports.
While Wade doesn't possess the speed of a prototypical leadoff batter, his ability to draw walks has made him a top candidate for the role. The 31-year-old's .219 batting average during spring training is unimpressive, though he has drawn 10 walks, resulting in a .422 on-base percentage. "He's got that kind of eye," manager Bob Melvin said Tuesday. "It's really unique in the game. We're seeing it again this spring. We feel pretty good about him in the leadoff spot." Wade has primarily been utilized at first base but made five starts in the outfield last season. If he bats leadoff against right-handed pitchers, Jung Hoo Lee will likely slide into the three-hole.