MLB Player News

Albies (shoulder) will be limited to the designated hitter spot for the first week or so of Atlanta's Grapefruit League schedule, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

It was revealed earlier Friday that Albies underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder last October, so he's being eased into things during camp. The plan is for him to be cleared to play second base sometime in early March. Barring any setbacks, Albies is expected to be fine for the start of the regular season.

Albies revealed Friday that he underwent right shoulder surgery last October, Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The 26-year-old said it was "just a regular clean-up" to address some pain he's dealt with in the shoulder for a couple years. The surgery has meant he's being built up a little more slowly in camp, but Albies said he's able to do all baseball activities and he "100 percent" expects to be ready to roll for Opening Day. He's also coming back from a fractured pinky which ended his 2022 season prematurely, but the finger is a non-issue at this point. While it seems the shoulder surgery was relatively minor, it would not be a surprise to see Albies fall a bit in drafts after this revelation.

Vargas (finger) will play defense in the Dodgers' intrasquad game Thursday, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports.

Vargas suffered a hairline fracture to the pinky finger on his right hand while fielding grounders last week, but he can still do a lot of baseball activities without causing further damage. He hasn't been cleared yet to resume hitting, but that will hopefully come rather soon. The 23-year-old projects to open the 2023 regular season as the Dodgers' primary second baseman, assuming he is able to avoid further setbacks.

Wisely will get a long look in Giants camp this spring, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Wisely is a left-handed hitting infielder, which is a rarity among the Giants' other infielders. Only Brandon Crawford, LaMonte Wade and Isan Diaz also hit from the left side among the Giants' expected major-league options to begin the year. Wisely was traded from the Rays in November and added to the Giants' 40-man roster, so he'll have a somewhat clear path to the majors as a backup middle infielder in competition with Diaz for a spot. Even then, Wisely figures to see a lot of time with Triple-A Sacramento.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed Monday that Vargas suffered a hairline fracture to the pinky finger of his right hand and won't resume swinging the bat for at least a few days, Kirsten Watson of SportsNet LA reports.

A diagnosis for the pinky injury Vargas suffered while fielding a grounder earlier Monday wasn't initially provided, but Roberts provided more clarity on the matter when he met with the media following the Dodgers' workout. Though the nature of the injury isn't ideal, Vargas will still be able to take part in fielding drills over the next few days, which should help him in his bid to secure an everyday role at second base heading into Opening Day. According to Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register, the Dodgers don't have a precise timeline for when Vargas will resume swinging, but Roberts suggested that it may come down to a matter of pain tolerance on the part of the 23-year-old.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that Vargas suffered an injury to the pinky finger on his right hand while taking grounders Monday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Roberts said the injury will keep Vargas from swinging the bat for a few days, but more importantly, X-rays were negative, and the 23-year-old will continue to take defensive reps at second base as he looks to lock down a full-time role heading into Opening Day. Assuming Vargas adapts well to the keystone after playing only 57 innings at the position (all in the minors) in 2022, he should make for an attractive late-round target in drafts, given the upside he offers as a hitter.

Gorman will spend more time at designated hitter this year when not playing the field, despite the Cardinals' hesitance to use him there last season, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Gorman started 73 games as a rookie last season, appearing at second base 62 times while serving as the designated hitter on 11 occasions. He didn't fare particularly well at the keystone, and with the Cardinals no longer able to compensate for his deficiencies via the shift, his playing time appeared to be at risk. It's possible Gorman finds himself on the large side of a DH platoon with Juan Yepez, though the Cardinals haven't explicitly detailed their plans.

Alu will get some reps in left field this spring, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

The 25-year-old posted a combined .301/.367/.508 line in 132 games between Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Rochester last season with 40 doubles, 20 home runs and 15 stolen bases in 19 attempts, earning a spot on the 40-man roster in the process. Alu is a long shot to break camp with a spot in the big leagues, but the rebuilding Nationals aren't exactly flush with talent in the outfield. If he can add more defensive versatility to his profile, his odds of making his MLB debut some time in 2023 would improve.

Rojas will earn $2.575 million in 2023 after losing his arbitration hearing to the Diamondbacks on Thursday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Rojas had filed at $2.9 million in what was his first year of arbitration eligibility as a Super 2 qualifier. The 28-year-old put up a .739 OPS with nine home runs and 23 stolen bases for the Diamondbacks last season. Most of his playing time in 2023 will likely come at third base, though he figures to bounce around and could get starts in the designated hitter spot, too.

Villar is viewed as the Giants' starting third baseman heading into spring training, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Villar slashed .231/.331/.455 with nine home runs and 24 RBI in 52 games as a 25-year-old last season. He won't go unchallenged for the job at third base -- Wilmer Flores and J.D. Davis are also in the mix, but their versatility around the diamond may make them better suited for utility roles. Villar is also expected to see time at second base when Thairo Estrada covers for Brandon Crawford at shortstop.