MLB Player News

Alexander (oblique) has started baseball activities, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

The activities include throwing and hitting off a tee. Alexander has been held out of Cactus League action since suffering a right oblique strain at the end of February.

Estrada was diagnosed with a fractured right wrist Friday and is expected to be sidelined 4-to-8 weeks, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

The second baseman suffered the injury Wednesday on a hit-by-pitch and will now be sidelined for the foreseeable future. Estrada is scheduled to undergo another set of X-rays in about four weeks, so his absence is likely to run through mid-May, at least. In the meantime, the Rockies plan to give Kyle Farmer significant run at the keystone to begin the season. Prospect Adael Amador might also get a look if he has a quick start to the campaign at Triple-A Albuquerque.

Hoener (forearm) is starting at second base and batting second in Friday's Cactus League game against the Padres.

The 27-year-old missed the Cubs' season-opening series versus the Dodgers in Tokyo this week while continuing to rehab from October flexor tendon surgery, but he still appears to have a chance of being available for the domestic opener in Arizona on Thursday. However, with the resumption of Chicago's schedule less than a week away, the organization may want to give Hoerner a bit more time to rack up game reps. Regardless, the second baseman's spring debut is a major step toward full clearance, and it doesn't appear Hoerner will miss much more of the regular season.

Gorman is not in either of the Cardinals' split-squad lineups Friday due to illness, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Gorman will hope to return to action over the weekend before the Grapefruit League schedule runs out. The 24-year-old has had a rough spring, putting up a .585 OPS and 12:3 K:BB over 17 games. Even with his lackluster Grapefruit League showing, Gorman is expected to see regular starts against right-handed pitching this season.

Fermin has made the Cardinals' Opening Day roster as a utility player, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

He beat out Jose Barrero for a spot on the St. Louis bench. Fermin put up a .924 OPS last season at Triple-A Memphis, but the 26-year-old has failed to find success so far at the major-league level, collecting just a .504 OPS in 140 plate appearances.

Estrada (head) will start at second base and bat leadoff in Thursday's Cactus League game versus the Rangers.

Estrada last played on Saturday, when he had to be lifted from the game after being struck in the head by Michael Taylor's foot while tagging him out at second base. Estrada didn't suffer any known concussion and is now ready to go after a few days of rest. Estrada will be the Rockies' primary second baseman in 2025.

Durbin's spot on the Brewers' Opening Day roster could now be secure after Andruw Monasterio was optioned to Triple-A Nashville, Jack Stern of BrewerFanatic.com reports.

Though he's batted only .227 this spring, Durbin has popped a pair of home runs and also stolen four bases. That he's projected to make the Opening Day roster isn't a surprise, but it's still not clear how much playing time he'll receive. Durbin is in the running to be the team's primary third baseman, but Oliver Dunn and Vinny Capra have had great springs and are also in the mix.

The Nationals optioned Lipscomb to Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Lipscomb was competing for a reserve role with the Nationals but came up short. He'll play multiple infield positions at Rochester while he waits for another opportunity at the big-league level.

Mauricio (knee) will remain in St. Lucie for extended spring training when the Mets break camp, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The 23-year-old hasn't had a setback in his recovery from the knee surgery that cost him the entire 2024 campaign, but the organization is being cautious with a player it still considers to be a key piece of the future. Mauricio should eventually work his way up to Triple-A Syracuse once the training staff is confident he's 100 percent, and he could be part of the puzzle at second base for the Mets later this season. Over 26 games in 2023 in his MLB debut, Mauricio posted a .248/.296/.347 slash line, hit two homers while going 7-for-7 on steal attempts, and registered an eye-popping exit velocity of 117.3 mph on his first career hit.

Yorke remains in the mix for a roster spot to begin the regular season, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Yorke has gotten a lot of run this spring and collected seven hits across 30 Grapefruit League at-bats. He has only two extra-base hits with 10 strikeouts, but he has also drawn six walks. With Spencer Horwitz (wrist) likely to begin the regular season on the injured list, one of Yorke, Billy Cook or DJ Stewart is likely to break camp with the team and earn at least some playing time at first base.