MLB Player News

Schneider was officially named to the Blue Jays' Opening Day roster Saturday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

By slashing .345/.500/.655 with five RBI and six runs scored over 38 plate appearances this spring, Schneider certainly made it difficult for Toronto to deny him a roster spot. He's likely to come off the bench most days, though his ability to play in left field as well as second and third base improves his chances of cracking the starting nine on any given day.

Alexander (oblique) has started baseball activities, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

The activities include throwing and hitting off a tee. Alexander has been held out of Cactus League action since suffering a right oblique strain at the end of February.

Freeman started at second base and went 2-for-3 with a walk, a double, a triple and an RBI in Friday's spring game against the Giants.

The Guardians auditioned several players for second base during Cactus League play, and it's still not clear who will be the primary starter. Two players in the competition, Juan Brito and Angel Martinez, were optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Friday, leaving Freeman (four starts), Gabriel Arias (10) and Daniel Schneemann (one) in camp The three can field multiple positions and would give manager Stephen Vogt mix-and-match options. Freeman (1.080 OPS, eight extra-base hits) has been the best hitter among the three this spring.

Estrada was diagnosed with a fractured right wrist Friday and is expected to be sidelined 4-to-8 weeks, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

The second baseman suffered the injury Wednesday on a hit-by-pitch and will now be sidelined for the foreseeable future. Estrada is scheduled to undergo another set of X-rays in about four weeks, so his absence is likely to run through mid-May, at least. In the meantime, the Rockies plan to give Kyle Farmer significant run at the keystone to begin the season. Prospect Adael Amador might also get a look if he has a quick start to the campaign at Triple-A Albuquerque.

Hoener (forearm) is starting at second base and batting second in Friday's Cactus League game against the Padres.

The 27-year-old missed the Cubs' season-opening series versus the Dodgers in Tokyo this week while continuing to rehab from October flexor tendon surgery, but he still appears to have a chance of being available for the domestic opener in Arizona on Thursday. However, with the resumption of Chicago's schedule less than a week away, the organization may want to give Hoerner a bit more time to rack up game reps. Regardless, the second baseman's spring debut is a major step toward full clearance, and it doesn't appear Hoerner will miss much more of the regular season.

Wagner went 2-for-2 with a double, two walks and two runs scored in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays.

The 26-year-old doesn't have a clear defensive home on the diamond, but his bat could earn him semi-regular playing time on a Blue Jays squad that loves to mix and match. Wagner is batting .273 (9-for-33) this spring with five doubles and a 4:6 BB:K, and he handled himself capably in his big-league debut in 2024, delivering a .305/.337/.451 slash line over 86 plate appearances after being acquired from the Astros. Most of his action in the majors last year came at second base, but with Andres Gimenez now calling the keystone home for the Jays, Wagner will have to battle for playing time at third base and DH while also occasionally spelling Vladimir Guerrero at first base.

The Cubs released Lopez on Friday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Lopez requested and was granted his release after being told he would not be part of the team's roster for their domestic opener next week. The veteran infielder is free to sign with a new club.

Gorman is not in either of the Cardinals' split-squad lineups Friday due to illness, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Gorman will hope to return to action over the weekend before the Grapefruit League schedule runs out. The 24-year-old has had a rough spring, putting up a .585 OPS and 12:3 K:BB over 17 games. Even with his lackluster Grapefruit League showing, Gorman is expected to see regular starts against right-handed pitching this season.

Fermin has made the Cardinals' Opening Day roster as a utility player, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

He beat out Jose Barrero for a spot on the St. Louis bench. Fermin put up a .924 OPS last season at Triple-A Memphis, but the 26-year-old has failed to find success so far at the major-league level, collecting just a .504 OPS in 140 plate appearances.

Estrada (head) will start at second base and bat leadoff in Thursday's Cactus League game versus the Rangers.

Estrada last played on Saturday, when he had to be lifted from the game after being struck in the head by Michael Taylor's foot while tagging him out at second base. Estrada didn't suffer any known concussion and is now ready to go after a few days of rest. Estrada will be the Rockies' primary second baseman in 2025.