MLB Player News
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Kristian Campbell 2B | BOS
Red Sox's Kristian Campbell: Has strong game
Campbell started at second base and went 1-for-3 with a walk and a double in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles.
Given recent news that Campbell is behind David Hamilton in the battle for the second-base job, it was interesting to see the prospect start along with eight definite regulars. He improved his positioning during Monday's game in what was his best all-around performance of the spring, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports. "He did a good job, made some plays," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. "He's going to get more reps there. He'll play [Tuesday in Tampa against the Yankees], too. It feels like he's getting comfortable." Cora said earlier this week that there were aspects of defense that Campbell needs to fine tune -- mostly on throws and how he receives a throw -- but his positioning was on point during Monday's contest. He's moved between the infield and outfield during the Grapefruit League season, but second base is the best path for Campbell to break camp with the team.
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Brendan Rodgers 2B | HOU
Astros' Brendan Rodgers: Making case to catch on
Rodgers has gone 8-for-28 with six strikeouts in Grapefruit League games.
Rodgers is in Houston camp on a non-roster deal and is vying for the second base job. If he can't wrestle the role from Mauricio Dubon, Rodgers could miss out on a roster spot altogether due to his lack of defensive versatility. Included in his contract is an opt-out, per Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle, so he could find work elsewhere.
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Scott Kingery 2B | LAA
Angels' Scott Kingery: Bumped from 40-man roster
Kingery was designated for assignment by the Angels on Monday.
Kingery was in the mix for the starting shortstop gig early on in camp, but he appears to have lost out on the job after being booted from the 40-man roster to make room for the acquisition of Angel Perdomo from Atlanta. Kingery would begin the 2025 season with Triple-A Salt Lake and would be a candidate for a mid-season promotion if he goes unclaimed on waivers.
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Kristian Campbell 2B | BOS
Red Sox's Kristian Campbell: Still needs work at 2B
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Campbell is still fine-tuning his defense at second base and admitted the 22-year-old prospect has struggled offensively during Cactus League play, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.
Cora talked about Campbell's need to refine ball security on transfers and how he receives the ball. The manager feels those details can be cleaned up, but it's looking like the one-time frontrunner for the second base job is losing out to David Hamilton. As for Campbell's offense, he's batting .167 (6-for-36) with 15 strikeouts this spring. If Campbell doesn't win the starting job at second, he's expected to open the 2025 season at Triple-A Worcester.
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Joseph Ortiz 2B | MIL
Brewers' Joey Ortiz: Appears locked in at shortstop
Ortiz is expected begin the 2025 season as the club's starting shortstop, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
The Brewers appeared ready to give Brice Turang the nod at shortstop to begin the year, but a shoulder injury has derailed that plan. Instead, Ortiz is the likely candidate to at least start the campaign at shortstop, with Turang remaining at the keystone until he works through the shoulder issue.
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Brice Turang 2B | MIL
Brewers' Brice Turang: Struggles to throw
Turang (shoulder) struggled during his throwing session Monday and will be shut down for 3-to-5 days, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
The Brewers haven't expressed much long-term concern about Turang, whom McCalvy notes remains on track to play Opening Day. However, the reps that he'll miss out on over the next few days make it unlikely that Turang will begin the season as the starting shortstop, after Willy Adames left Milwaukee in free agency and signed with San Francisco. Joey Ortiz is now the leading candidate to play shortstop, while Turang likely handles an everyday role at second base, at least until he's able to fully move past the shoulder issue and isn't restricted with his throwing.
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Niko Goodrum 2B | SD
Padres' Niko Goodrum: Denied Opening Day roster spot
The Padres reassigned Goodrum to minor-league camp Monday.
Goodrum will likely open the season at Triple-A El Paso, where he'll presumably serve as a utility man. The 33-year-old logged 33 plate appearances at the big-league level in 2024 between stops with the Rays and Angels, slashing .103/.188/.103 with one stolen base.
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Josh Rojas 3B | CHW
White Sox's Josh Rojas: Recovering from big toe fracture
White Sox manager Will Venable said Monday that Rojas has been diagnosed with a hairline fracture in his right big toe, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.
Rojas suffered the injury during Saturday's Cactus League game against the Rockies. Venable was unwilling to rule Rojas out for Opening Day, as the skipper described the injury as a pain-tolerance situation that the 30-year-old infielder might be able to play through. If Rojas begins the season on the injured list, the White Sox would have room on the roster for an extra infielder such as Brooks Baldwin, Bryan Ramos, Jacob Amaya or Brandon Drury.
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Luisangel Acuna 2B | NYM
Mets' Luisangel Acuna: Looking good for roster spot
Acuna seems likely to win a spot on the Opening Day roster and could handle the short side of a platoon at second base alongside Brett Baty, Tim Britton of the Athletic reports.
The Mets may have been reluctant to bring Acuna north if he was just going to be stuck on the bench, but the potential for consistent playing time might make the decision to keep him on the 26-man roster easier. That playing time is available due to an oblique injury to Jeff McNeil, and if either or both of the youngsters play well in his absence, there's no guarantee he wins back the starting gig given how his production has declined since he won the NL batting crown in 2022. The 23-year-old Acuna would help his case with a strong finish to his spring -- through 14 appearances he's batting .226 (7-for-31) with a 0:6 BB:K, although he has gone 3-for-3 on steal attempts.
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Andy Ibanez 3B | DET
Tigers' Andy Ibanez: Will be short side of 3B platoon
Ibanez is slated to open the season as the Tigers' short-side platoon partner with Zach McKinstry at third base, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Jace Jung was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on Monday, setting up an uninspiring McKinstry/Ibanez platoon at the hot corner, at least until Matt Vierling (shoulder) is ready. Ibanez slashed .292/.357/.445 against left-handed pitching last season.