MLB Player News

Marte batted leadoff and went 3-for-4 with a run scored in Thursday's spring game against Seattle.

While Marte and Corbin Carroll (back) split leadoff duties in 2024, Marte has batted first in all nine of his Cactus League games so far this spring, including the times when both he and Carroll have played. Marte was the leadoff hitter for 58 games in 2024 and slashed .314/.384/.572 with 16 home runs and 43 RBI in those contests.

Brujan plans to be more aggressive in attempting to steal bases this season with the Cubs, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Brujan stole only five bases and was caught six times in 2024 during his lone season in Miami, and he said the Marlins "didn't give me the green light that I needed." Following an offseason trade to the Cubs, the 27-year-old decided that he's "going to be myself" and "going to steal bases." Brujan was a prolific base stealer in the minors and his sprint speed was in the 91st percentile in his rookie season with the Rays back in 2021. However, he went only 9-for-17 in stolen-base attempts over 99 regular-season games across three seasons with Tampa Bay, and last year with the Marlins his sprint speed was down in the 53rd percentile. Brujan is already 4-for-4 on stolen-base attempts this spring, so he's held true to his word so far, and he's also posted a 1.042 OPS. That said, if the career .189/.261/.270 hitter doesn't improve at the plate, his intentions on the bases could be irrelevant. Brujan is aiming to win a utility role with Chicago this season.

Garcia went 1-for-1 with two walks and a solo home run in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins.

The second baseman got hold of a Valente Bellozo offering in the fourth inning for his first homer of the spring. Garcia is 3-for-8 with three walks against only one strikeout through his first four Grapefruit League appearances in camp, as the 24-year-old looks to demonstrate that his 2024 breakout was no fluke.

Edwards hit leadoff in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals, going 1-for-2 with a walk and two runs scored.

The speedy shortstop is almost certain to be atop the order when Opening Day rolls around after breaking out for a .328/.397/.423 slash line over 303 plate appearances with the Marlins last season. Edwards also swiped 31 bases on 35 attempts over 70 regular-season games, and he's made it his stated goal to take a run at 60 steals in 2025. If your roster or league format can accommodate his lack of power, Edwards offers some strong three-category fantasy appeal.

Escobar (shin) is listed on the Philadelphia roster for its March 14 Spring Breakout game against Pittsburgh prospects, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

A 2022 signee out of Venezuela, Escobar made his debut in affiliated ball in 2024, slashing .338/.495/.481 with three home runs and nine stolen bases across 104 plate appearances in the rookie-level Florida Complex League. He developed shin splints and didn't end up playing after June 8, but Escobar looks to be back to full health this spring. The 20-year-old infield prospect could open the season with Single-A Clearwater.

Manager Derek Shelton said Wednesday that Frazier hasn't played in a spring game since Feb. 26 due to a back injury, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The 33-year-old signed a one-year, $1.525 million contract with the Pirates in January but appeared in just three Grapefruit League games before the back injury surfaced. Frazier could return to game action before the end of the week, which would put him on track for the start of the regular season.

Garcia (illness) is starting at second base and batting cleanup in Wednesday's spring contest against the Marlins, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Garcia was out of commission for a few days while battling a sore throat and fever, but he's ready to roll now. The infielder is 2-for-7 with one RBI in his first three games during Grapefruit League action.

Durbin went 2-for-4 with a home run, two runs and a stolen base in Monday's Cactus League loss to the Reds.

Durbin led off Monday's contest and socked his second long ball in four days on the second pitch he saw. Brice Turang figures to be Milwaukee's primary leadoff option against righties when the regular season gets underway, but he will likely hit lower in the order against southpaws, and Durbin -- who, as things stand, could open the campaign as the starting third baseman -- will be among the candidates to hit first those days.

Atlanta reassigned Devers to minor-league camp Tuesday.

Devers appeared in three big-league games for the Marlins in 2024, but he otherwise spent much of the season at the Triple-A level, slashing .228/.293/.360 with three home runs and three stolen bases across 209 plate appearances for Jacksonville. After falling short in his bid for winning a bench role on Atlanta's Opening Day roster, Devers is likely to spent most of the season with the organization's top affiliate in Gwinnett.

Bae (hand) will start in left field and bat leadoff in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox.

Bae jammed the ring finger on his right hand when he was picked off while sliding back into third base during Sunday's game against the Tigers, but he needed just one day off to heal up from the injury. With Tommy Pham, Oneil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds expected to form Pittsburgh's preferred starting outfield trio from left to right heading into Opening Day, Bae is competing with Billy Cook, Jack Suwinski, Joshua Palacios, DJ Stewart and Nick Solak for one or two reserve outfielder roles this spring. The 25-year-old Bae's elite speed could make him a useful asset off the bench, though the fact that he has two minor-league options remaining could compel the Pirates to send him to Triple-A Indianapolis to begin the season so he can receive steady at-bats.