MLB Player News

Stefanic (quadricep) will take live batting practice and take part in running work Wednesday, but the Angels haven't provided a timeline for him to return to the Cactus League lineup, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Stefanic seems to be making good progress in his recovery from the left quad strain that cut short his first Cactus League start back on Feb. 24, but he still looks to be at least a few days away from being ready to return to game action. If Stefanic is able to shake off the injury prior to Opening Day, he could remain in the mix for a backup infield role to begin the season.

Rengifo (hamstring) will start at third base and bat third in Wednesday's split-squad Cactus League game against the Cubs, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

He'll be making his spring debut Wednesday after a bout with left hamstring tightness kept Rengifo behind the Angels' other healthy position players during the early stages of camp. Rengifo still has plenty of time to get enough at-bats in during Cactus League games to guarantee his availability for Opening Day, and he could find himself in a prominent lineup spot to begin the regular season. Per Fletcher, manager Ron Washington said Feb. 22 that he views Rengifo as a candidate to serve as the Angels' leadoff hitter.

Rengifo (hamstring) is expected to see some at-bats in one of Wednesday's split-squad games, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

The 27-year-old has been dealing with a hamstring issue the past couple weeks but is now poised to make his spring debut Wednesday. Rengifo had a .783 OPS with 16 homers in 126 games last season and should see action all across the diamond for the Halos in 2024.

Urias (shoulder) is starting at third base and batting seventh for the Mariners in Tuesday's Cactus League contest against the Rangers, Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports 710 AM reports.

Urias has started some games at designated hitter, but this is his first time playing the field this spring as he comes back from right shoulder soreness. The shoulder still isn't 100 percent, per Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times, but the Mariners evidently feel it's good enough to test things out in a game. There had been some concern that Urias might not be ready in time for Opening Day, but it now would appear he should be OK if he can avoid setbacks. Urias is slated to see starts at the hot corner for the M's, perhaps sharing the position with Josh Rojas.

Foscue started at designated hitter and went 2-for-4 with a double in Monday's spring game against the Angels.

Foscue ripped his third double of the spring and is 7-for-20 over eight Cactus League games. His 21 plate appearances this spring are second on the club, which suggests the Rangers are giving him an audition for the roster. Foscue was listed as the primary DH on the first two projected Opening Day rosters assembled by Kennedi Landry of MLB.com. There is not a clear path to playing time as a position player, partially due to his limited range and a fringy arm; therefore, DH is the best bet for Foscue. He's hit well in the upper minors and drew more walks (85) than strikeouts (70) in 2023, which suggests he could handle MLB pitching.

Drury is slashing .125/.263/.125 with an RBI and a 2:7 BB:K through 18 Cactus League plate appearances.

Both of Drury's hits so far have been singles, and he's struck out in over one-third of his plate appearances. The slow start shouldn't be a major concern, however, given his veteran status and recent regular-season consistency. Drury is coming off back-to-back solid campaigns in which he hit a combined 54 homers and drove in a combined 170 runs. He's slated for an everyday role in the Angels' infield again this season and should be among the team's primary sources of power.

Frazier has gone 1-for-10 with three walks and two strikeouts over four Cactus League games.

Frazier is doing alright with plate discipline. He is competing with Michael Massey for the starting job at second base, but neither player has stood out all that much in the first week-plus of spring games. Frazier can also provide coverage in the corner outfield, so he's likely to be on the Royals' major-league roster as at least a utility option throughout 2024. If neither Frazier nor Massey claim second base for themselves, Nick Loftin and Garrett Hampson could also be in the mix for at-bats there.

Biggio (shoulder) hit in a simulated game Sunday and has been going through full defensive drills, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Biggio has been slow-played this spring after reporting to camp with some tendinitis in his left (non-throwing) shoulder. He's progressed well, though, and while it's unclear when he might play in a Grapefruit League contest, it doesn't appear to be far off.

Gimenez has gone 1-for-11 over his first four Cactus League games.

Gimenez also has two strikeouts and no walks. The second baseman is not in danger of losing his starting role -- Gabriel Arias and Brayan Rocchio are competing for the shortstop job, and most of the other major-league ready infielders in camp are likely to be utility options. Gimenez hit an okay .251 with 15 home runs, 62 RBI, 76 runs scored and 30 stolen bases over 153 contests last year. His OPS dropped from .837 in 2022 to .713 last year, but at 25 years old, a rebound campaign is plausible.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Norby (side) will make his spring debut as a reserve in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Norby has been slowed in camp due to slight left side soreness, but the injury shouldn't be anything that prevents him from being ready to go for the start of Triple-A Norfolk's season in April. Hyde didn't say whether Norby would be deployed in the field or eased back in as a designated hitter Sunday, but the 23-year-old is likely to check into the contest in the later innings.