Hoerner and the Cubs will likely discuss a contract extension during spring training, but it's unclear if a deal will get done, Jesse Rogers of ESPN said on the Waddle and Silvy podcast.

Hoerner is in the last year of a three-year, $35 million contract, giving the Cubs some incentive to extend him before the season gets underway. However, the team's acquisition of Alex Bregman has pushed Matt Shaw off third base, and he could slot in at second base in 2027. That could impact Chicago's willingness to invest in Hoerner, who batted .297 last year with 29 stolen bases over 156 regular-season games. The 28-year-old has never hit for much power, but he's a career .282 hitter who's swiped 131 bases across seven MLB seasons, giving him plenty of fantasy appeal.

Atlanta president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos said Friday that he's optimistic4r Kim (finger) will be ready to make his season debut in early May, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Kim had surgery in January to repair a torn tendon in his right middle finger. The initial timeline provided had him returning in the second half of May as a best-case scenario, but is sounds like the veteran infielder could beat that projection. Mauricio Dubon is expected to be Atlanta's primary shortstop while Kim recovers.

Gonzales was spotted fielding grounders at third base Thursday, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Gonzales was Pittsburgh's primary second baseman when healthy in 2025, though the addition of Brandon Lowe will force him into a new role in 2026. The assumption was that Gonzales would fill in at shortstop until Konnor Griffin makes his big-league debut, though Jared Triolo was instead at shortstop Thursday. This alignment could be fluid throughout spring, as the Pirates have also been rumored to be trying to add a third baseman via trade. However, this could be positive news for Gonzales' long-term outlook if he proves capable of handling the hot corner defensively, given the lack of long-term solutions currently on the roster.

Garcia will split his time between second base and first base during spring training, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

The Nationals don't have a clear starter at first base, and Garcia's defense at the keystone has been below average the last two seasons. However, the 25-year-old has been a passable offensive contributor during that time, posting a combined .267/.304/.428 slash line in 2023-24 with 34 homers and 36 steals in 279 games, and he should be in the starting lineup at one of those two positions on Opening Day. Andres Chaparro and prospect Abimelec Ortiz, acquired from Texas in the MacKenzie Gore trade, would appear to be the other main competitors for Washington's first base job.

Mauricio will be one of the top candidates to replace Francisco Lindor (hand) at shortstop early in the season, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Vidal Brujan appears to be the other likely replacement for Lindor, with Grae Kessinger and Jackson Cluff also in the mix. Mauricio missed the entire 2024 season due to a torn ACL and struggled to make consistent contact last year in the majors after his return, managing a .662 OPS in 184 plate appearances with the Mets while mainly playing third base. With the injury another year further behind him, the 24-year-old may be staring at his last chance to regain the upside that made him one of the organization's top prospects prior to blowing out his knee. Mauricio should at least be locked into a bench spot on the Opening Day roster, even if doesn't become the primary replacement for Lindor.

Brujan is one of the top candidates to fill in for Francisco Lindor (hand) at shortstop, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Ronny Mauricio, Grae Kessinger and Jackson Cluff will also be in the mix for spring reps at short while Lindor recovers from hamate bone surgery. Brujan has experience all over the diamond as a utility player and posted a UZR/150 of 4.6 over 237 innings at shortstop with the Marlins in 2024, and the switch hitter might be the Mets' best defensive option to cover for Lindor.

Albies (hand) said Wednesday that he's 100 percent healthy for the start of spring training, Reggie Chatman of 11 Alive News Atlanta reports.

Albies missed the final week of 2025 after suffering a hamate bone fracture of his left hand, and the 29-year-old has likely been back to full health for a while. The switch-hitting second baseman said Wednesday that he has something to prove in 2026 after a disappointing season in which he posted a career-low .671 OPS over 157 games. Albies' ability to stay on the field and pile up plate appearances still made him useful from a fantasy perspective, as he delivered solid returns in the counting categories last year with 16 home runs, 14 stolen bases, 74 runs and 74 RBI.

Polanco is a strong candidate to bat cleanup for the Mets this season, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Francisco Lindor (hand), Juan Soto and Bo Bichette will occupy the first three spots in the Mets' batting order, so if Polanco does indeed hit cleanup he would be in line for loads of RBI opportunities. Polanco collected a .265/.326/.495 slash line with 26 home runs and 78 RBI over 138 regular-season contests for the Mariners in 2025. He is slated to split time between first base and designated hitter in 2026.

The Rays traded Wisely to Atlanta on Tuesday in exchange for cash.

The 26-year-old infielder was DFA'd by Tampa Bay on Friday after the team acquired Victor Mesa in a trade with Miami. Wisely will now recapture a 40-man spot upon moving to Atlanta, but he is out of minor-league options and will have to break spring training with the big-league club to hold onto his roster spot. Joe Jimenez (knee) was placed on the 60-day IL in a corresponding move.

The Padres expect Song to be used in a utility role this season, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Inked to a four-year, $15 million contract in December, Song primarily played third base during his time with the Kiwoom Heroes of the Korea Baseball Organization. However, he also has ample experience at second and first base, and the Padres will try him out in the outfield, as well. Additionally, Song will compete with Miguel Andujar for playing time at designated hitter.