MLB Player News

Diaz was lifted from Monday's Cactus League game against the Padres due to slight hamstring tightness, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

It's not clear exactly how Diaz sustained the injury, but it appears to be a relatively minor issue. Still, anything involving the hamstring could take multiple days to get over, so expect the Giants to proceed cautiously. Diaz is competing for a reserve infielder job, and any prolonged absence will hinder his chances of making the Opening Day roster.

Villar was diagnosed Monday with a mild left hip flexor strain, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Villar had to be scratched from the Giants' lineup over the weekend with the injury and an MRI has provided a more specific diagnosis. He will be re-evaluated daily and, thus, can be considered day-to-day.

Miller went 0-for-2 with a walk during Saturday's Cactus League game against the Royals and could be hitting his way onto the Brewers' Opening Day roster this spring, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports.

Miller has gone 8-for-20 with four doubles during Cactus League play and is also being used some in center field, a position he's never played in pro ball. The Brewers are looking for additional right-handed help in the outfield with Tyrone Taylor (elbow) out a while, and Miller certainly would enhance his chances of cracking the Opening Day roster if he can at least be passable in the outfield. The 26-year-old was acquired from the Guardians in December for a player to be named later or cash.

Wisely (illness) will start in center field and bat sixth in Sunday's Cactus League game versus the Athletics, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Wisely will add another position to his skill set by getting a look in center field. The 23-year-old is gaining a lot of attention in spring training and has a chance to make the Giants' Opening Day roster as a bench bat. If he continues to play well, he could push for a strong-side platoon role, as manager Gabe Kapler is fond of playing matchups. Over the last two years, Wisely has seen time all around the infield and in left field as part of the Rays' organization.

Albies went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers.

The second baseman golfed a Matt Manning pitch deep down the right-field line in the second inning. It was Albies' first homer of the spring and only his second hit in 15 at-bats, but his 2:2 BB:K doesn't suggest he's struggling. The 26-year-old played only 64 games last season due to multiple injuries, but he's healthy in camp and looking to regain the form that saw him post career-best fantasy numbers in 2021.

Rojas has been scratched from Sunday's Cactus League lineup against the Rockies for undisclosed reasons.

Rojas has been replaced in the lineup by Buddy Kennedy, who will hit seventh and play third base. There should be an update shortly as to why the veteran infielder is out of the lineup.

Fermin (quad) was optioned Saturday to Triple-A Memphis, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Fermin is dealing with a quadriceps strain, but was likely to open the year in Triple-A regardless of the injury. The infielder was acquired from the Guardians in November and added to the 40-man roster immediately after. He provides the Cardinals with organizational depth up the middle of the infield.

Villar was scratched from the lineup for Saturday's game against the Dodgers due to left hip tightness, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

After hitting a promising .231/.331/.455 (albeit with a 32.0 percent strikeout rate) in 52 games as a rookie last season, Villar entered spring training with a good shot to carve out a regular role at third base. If his injury remains nothing worse than tightness and he's able to return to the field soon, he'll still be in the favorite to start at the hot corner, but if he's forced to hit the injured list, Wilmer Flores and J.D. Davis could earn a larger share of at-bats.

Turang went 3-for-8 (.375) with a double, an RBI, three runs, a walk and a stolen base over his last three exhibition appearances.

Turang racked up just a pair of singles over his first four games of the spring, but he got going a bit over the past week. Turang has a case to break camp with the big club, but given the glut of infielders on Milwaukee's 40-man roster, it seems most likely he will begin the season with Triple-A Nashville.

Alu was optioned to Triple-A Rochester by the Nationals on Friday.

Alu was added to the Nats' 40-man roster this offseason and has impressed this camp with his versatility. The 25-year-old has a good shot to debut at some point in 2023 but will get a little more seasoning first.