MLB Player News

Hoerner (forearm) won't travel with the Cubs to Japan for the team's two-game, season-opening series versus the Dodgers on March 18 and 19 and will instead remain in Arizona to continue his rehab, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Though manager Craig Counsell said earlier in spring training that Hoerner was bouncing back well in his recovery from October surgery to repair the flexor tendon in his right forearm, the 27-year-old has yet to be cleared for Cactus League action. Per MLB.com, Hoerner is continuing to hit in the batting cage and working through a throwing program, but he's not on track to be ready to play in Japan in three weeks. The Cubs could turn to Jon Berti or Vidal Brujan to hold down the fort at second base in the two-game series against the Dodgers, but Hoerner may still have a chance at being ready to go for the team's domestic season opener March 27 versus the Diamondbacks.

Dunn (back) will start at third base and bat cleanup in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks.

After a standout performance last spring, Dunn secured a spot on the Brewers' Opening Day roster. He slashed .221/.282./316 with one home run and three stolen bases in 104 plate appearances for Milwaukee, but he didn't see any action after mid-June due to a disc issue in his back. The 27-year-old seems to be back to full health again following a lengthy layoff, and he's already off to another hot start this spring, going 4-for-9 with a home run, a walk and two stolen bases through his first three spring games. Dunn is once again competing for a utility infield role with the Brewers, though he could be in the mix for a strong-side platoon role at third base if Milwaukee opts not to carry infield prospect Caleb Durbin on its Opening Day roster.

Walton could make the Opening Day roster with Nick Madrigal (shoulder) set to begin the season on the 60-day IL, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The Mets need a backup shortstop behind Francisco Lindor, and Walton is the best defensive option the team has in camp for the job. The 30-year-old has received 205 big-league plate appearances over five seasons split between the Mariners and Giants but managed just a .532 OPS, although his minor-league offensive numbers do offer some hope he could contribute with his bat as well -- Walton slashed .303/.377/.438 over 99 games for Triple-A Sacramento in 2024. The Mets would need to find room on the 40-man roster for Walton if they want to bring him north, and if Brett Baty proves in camp that he can play an adequate shortstop, he might get the first chance to fill the team's open bench spot.

Brujan went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks.

Brujan connected for his first home run of the spring in the fifth inning and also split time in the field at second base and shortstop. The 27-year-old was shipped to Chicago from Miami in December, and he figures to serve in a bench role with the Cubs, giving him a limited fantasy ceiling for the time being.

Kim could open the year in the minors as he continues to make swing adjustments, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Kim has drawn rave reviews for his infield defense, but he was a light-hitting player even in the KBO, where his career high in homers was 11. Given the Dodgers have a bevy of strong options, they can afford to ease Kim into things against Triple-A pitching if they think he will be overmatched at the plate in the majors. Tommy Edman's versatility could allow him to play second or shortstop alongside Mookie Betts while Andy Pages potentially takes on a prominent role in the outfield.

Black (back) hit off a tee Tuesday and is hoping to make his Cactus League debut next week, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Black tweaked his back last week and has been dealing with some stiffness. The first baseman got into 18 games with the Brewers last season, slashing .204/.316/.245 with a pair of doubles, two RBI and three stolen bases across 57 regular-season plate appearances. Black is considered a long shot to make Milwaukee's Opening Day roster barring injury.

Wetherholt went 2-for-3 with a three-run home run Sunday in Grapefruit League action versus the Astros.

Making his spring training debut, Wetherholt had a bloop single in the fourth inning and then in the fifth drilled an opposite-field, three-run homer off righty A.J. Blubaugh. The No. 7 overall pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, Wetherholt slashed .295/.405/.400 in 29 games with Single-A Palm Beach in his pro debut last year. The 22-year-old will likely begin the 2025 season either at High-A Peoria or Double-A Springfield.

Black has been held out of Cactus League play due to minor back stiffness, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

It shouldn't be a long-term issue, but it's not clear when Black might be ready to play in games. Black already seemed unlikely to win a spot on the Opening Day roster, and any delay seemingly decreases his odds.

Espinal started at shortstop and went 1-for-2 with a triple and a run scored in Sunday's spring game against the Giants.

Espinal has appeared in two Cactus League games -- both at shortstop -- and made an impact in both. Prior to Sunday's triple, he homered in a split-squad game against the Brewers on Saturday. The 30-year-old utility infielder/outfielder was useful to the Reds in 2024, establishing career highs in home runs (nine) and steals (11), as the team dealt with injuries throughout the roster. Cincinnati re-signed him during the offseason, presumably with the intent of having him fill a similar role in 2025.

Bowman started in left field and went 0-for-2 in Sunday's spring game against San Francisco.

Bowman, a Rule 5 selection during the offseason, has experience at second base, shortstop and center field and is considered a defensive asset wherever he plays. Thus far in spring training, manager Terry Francona deployed the 25-year-old at first base and left field. The manager told Mark Sheldon of MLB.com that the more positions Bowman can play, the better his chances of sticking with the team. "I told him, 'In fairness to you, we'd like to see you in as many places as we can.' Because the more versatile he is, the better," Francona said before Sunday's game. Bowman is 0-for-5 through two Cactus League games.