MLB Player News

Bote went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Guardians, giving him four long balls this spring.

Bote has exploded for four home runs in 16 games this spring, which is as many as he hit back in 2022 across 41 games for the Cubs. The veteran utility player spent all of last season in the minors, and despite the strong spring, he'll likely serve as organizational depth again in 2024 with Chicago adding more infield depth in recent years.

The Reds reassigned Mathias on Wednesday.

Mathias had been vying for a utility gig on the Reds' Opening Day roster but didn't make a hard charge for a spot, as he went 0-for-5 in Cactus League play before being sent to minor-league camp in the latest round of cuts. If Mathias sticks around in the organization through the start of the minor-league season, he'll report to Triple-A Louisville.

Lux (illness) will start at second base and bat eighth in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Mariners, Kirsten Watson of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.

Lux was away from camp Tuesday while he battled an illness, but he presumably made a full recovery from the ailment overnight. He'll return to the lineup at the keystone, the position he's expected to occupy this season after defensive concerns prompted the Dodgers to move him off of shortstop earlier in spring training.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Bae (hip) is currently limited to playing catch and taking part in advanced workouts in the weight room, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Bae -- who is working his way back from a left hip flexor injury -- will be re-evaluated later this week to see if he can up his activities. At this stage of spring training, Bae's availability for Opening Day is very much in question, but more on his status should be known by the end of the week.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy confirmed Tuesday that Turang will be the club's starting second baseman Opening Day against the Mets, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The 24-year-old worked as Milwaukee's primary second baseman last season and produced plus-12 defensive runs saved, but he underwhelmed offensively with a .218/.285/.300 slash line, six home runs, 34 RBI and 46 runs in 448 plate appearances. Turang did steal 26 bases in 30 attempts, so he could have some limited fantasy utility in deeper leagues.

Lux is away from the Dodgers' camp Tuesday due to illness, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

A bug seems to be making its way around the clubhouse, as Max Muncy and assistant pitching coach Connor McGuiness have also been affected. Consider Lux day-to-day.

Albies went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins.

The second baseman took Chris Paddack deep in the first inning for his first long ball of the spring. Albies has gone 4-for-22 so far in Grapefruit League action with a 2:6 BB:K, but there are no concerns with the 27-year-old as he looks to follow up a big 2023 campaign that saw him set new careers highs with 33 homers and 109 RBI.

Guillorme (quad) is starting at shortstop and batting second for Atlanta in his return to the lineup Tuesday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

It's his first game since Feb. 28, as the 29-year-old has been battling a sore quad. Guillorme will fill a utility infielder role for Atlanta this season.

Bae hasn't appeared in a spring training game since March 5 due to a hip injury, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Bae is expected to serve as a versatile bench bat due to his ability to play along both the infield and in the outfield. Manager Derek Shelton didn't provide any further detail regarding the injury or a timeline for Bae's return. If he's forced to miss any regular season action, Joshua Palacios (illness) and Nick Gonzales could earn a roster spot.

Wisely was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento by the Giants on Monday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Wisely was in the running for a bench role but is sent out after going 3-for-16 in nine spring contests. The 24-year-old will provide utility depth at Sacramento.