MLB Player News

Ibanez will not play Tuesday in the World Baseball Classic for Cuba due to a left hand injury, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Ibanez suffered the injury in an exhibition game for Cuba. The infielder was unable to practice Tuesday and he'll be held out of the lineup against the Netherlands for the WBC opener. Ibanez is competing for a bench spot with Detroit this spring and it remains to be seen if this will carry into the regular season.

Massey has gone 5-for-18 with two home runs, four RBI and four runs scored through six Cactus League games.

Massey hit just .243 with a .683 OPS, four home runs, 17 RBI and three stolen bases in 52 contests as a rookie last season. His solid spring, in terms of both making contact and showing some power, gives him an edge to start at second base over Nicky Lopez, who is hitless through six at-bats in the spring. Massey totaled 20 homers and 16 steals over three levels of baseball last year, so he could have some all-around appeal in fantasy if he can hit well.

Merrifield (quadriceps) will start at second base and bat leadoff in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates.

Merrifield will rejoin the spring lineup for the first time since last Thursday after a minor right quad injury prompted the Blue Jays to hold him out for a few days. Though he'll be leading off Tuesday, Merrifield will most likely find himself in the bottom half of the batting order during the regular season, at which time George Springer is expected to serve as Toronto's primary table setter.

Espinal went 2-for-3 with a run scored, an RBI and two stolen bases in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

Getting the start at second base and batting sixth, Espinal continued a strong start to his spring that's seen him go 7-for-14 at the plate with a homer and three steals. The 28-year-old is expected to begin the season in a bench role with Whit Merrifield shifting to second base, but if Merrifield's quad injury lingers over the next few weeks, Espinal could find himself in the Opening Day lineup.

Haggerty (groin) is back in the Mariners' lineup Monday for their Cactus League game against the Cubs, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Haggerty had been held out of action for a few days because of a groin injury, but he's feeling well enough to give it a go Monday. The utility player will be at third base and bat sixth versus Hayden Wesneski and the Cubs.

Haggerty hasn't played in a Cactus League game since Wednesday while receiving treatment for general soreness in his lower body, the team's official site reports.

Manager Scott Servais notes Haggerty, who's gone 2-for-6 in the three Cactus League games he's played thus far, is struggling to reach his top-end speed. That's led to a mutual decision between team and player to give the valuable utility asset some rest days, but the Mariners skipper noted that Haggerty is expected back "in the next day or two."

Merrifield has been out of Grapefruit League games since Friday due to right quad tightness, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Zwelling reports that the injury is considered minor, and the Blue Jays are being extra cautious. The long-time Royal did go through a full workout on Saturday, and he told reporters that he has more than enough time remaining in Florida to be ready for the regular season. It's an injury to keep an eye on for fantasy managers considering Merrifield for the 2023 campaign, but it appears that he's avoided a serious knock and should be ready for Opening Day.

Angels manager Phil Nevin indicated that Rengifo could play right field occasionally this season as well as during his time with Team Venezuela during the World Baseball Classic, Doug Padilla of The Orange County Register reports.

Rengifo started in right field in Thursday's Cactus League contest against Kansas City and was charged with a throwing error in the fourth inning. He's not a complete stranger to the position -- he logged 103 innings there between 2021 and 2022 -- but hasn't shown great acumen for the outfield thus far. The Angels' infield is much more crowded this year with the additions of Brandon Drury and Gio Urshela as well as the return to health of both Anthony Rendon and David Fletcher, so Rengifo could help himself see more at-bats if he's able to gain the team's confidence as a capable outfielder.

Mathias was designated for assignment by the Rangers on Saturday.

Lefty reliever Will Smith was brought in on a one-year deal and Mathias was the roster casualty. While he's 28 years old and lacks a defensive home, Mathias hit six home runs in just 91 plate appearances in the majors last year, so he could draw interest on waivers.

Brujan was removed from Friday's Grapefruit League game after being hit by a pitch, but he did not sustain a serious injury, Kristie Ackert of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Brujan was hit by a pitch in the shoulder in the fourth inning. He stayed in the game initially but was ultimately pulled as a precaution after feeling a "shock sensation" in his hand. However, after the contest manager Kevin Cash said Brujan was fine. The 25-year-old will be fighting for a bench role with the big-league club this spring, but he has only one hit in eight spring at-bats to this point.