MLB Player News

Jung's wrist is fully recovered from December surgery, and he put on a show during batting practice Saturday by hitting homers out to all fields, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

With Alex Bregman choosing Boston over Detroit and a couple other teams, the third-base job is an open competition between Jung and Matt Vierling this spring. Jung has a chip on his shoulder and reported to camp early to show that he's regained the explosiveness in his swing that was more apparent in 2023. His exit velocities were below expectations last season, but Beck reports those metrics have been on the rise since minicamp in January. Jung mentioned that he did 100 push-ups a day to strengthen the wrist and also put in a lot of time with his brother, Rangers third baseman Josh Jung, working on his footwork at third base. Vierling will make the team regardless, but Jung will likely open the season at Triple-A if he can't win the third-base job in spring training.

Urias signed a one-year, $1.1 million contract with the Athletics on Monday.

Urias was present at the Athletics' spring training facility in Arizona on Monday and will likely be given the chance to compete with Gio Urshela for the starting job at third base. The 27-year-old slashed only .191/.303/.394 in 41 games with Seattle last season but clubbed 39 home runs for the Brewers from 2021 to 2022.

Campbell said Monday that he's been working out at second base almost exclusively during spring training, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Presumably, that's been at the directive of the Red Sox, which is notable with the team not yet revealing which positions Alex Bregman and Rafael Devers will play this season. Campbell's playing time in the minors in 2024 was split fairly evenly between second base, shortstop and center field, with some third base mixed in. If Campbell wins a starting job this spring, it appears likely to be at second base, which would presumably result in Bregman playing third base and Devers shifting to designated hitter and/or first base.

With the Tigers missing out on Alex Bregman in free agency, Ibanez is among several returning players who could see time at third base, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Had Bregman joined the Tigers, he likely would have played almost every day at the hot corner, which would have relegated Ibanez to more of a bench role. However, Detroit now seems primed to use several players at the position. Matt Vierling is likely the top option, but he can also play in the outfield. When Vierling is not at third, lefty-hitting Jace Jung is a natural platoon candidate. Ibanez should also work into the mix, though he has the versatility to play across the diamond and in the outfield.

With free agent Alex Bregman passing up the Tigers to sign with the Red Sox, Jung (wrist) should have a clearer path to time at third base, though Matt Vierling likely remains the top option there Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Jung may have been pushed to the minors if Bregman had joined the team, but the former now has a clearer path to making the roster and having a meaningful role. Vierling is likely still the top option at the hot corner, though he can also play the outfield. Vierling also bats from the right side while Jung is left handed. That leaves the two players as potential platoon mates, and the 24-year-old Jung could emerge as a fantasy contributor in his second MLB season. He did undergo minor wrist surgery in December but should be good to go for spring training.

Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller said Thursday that he sees Arraez as the team's first baseman this season, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Manager Mike Shildt also added of Arraez and Jake Cronenworth that "they're everyday guys that'll be on the field," implying that Arraez is expected to be the everyday first baseman rather than the designated hitter. Cronenworth, meanwhile, is expected to settle in at second base. The Padres don't currently have a clear favorite for DH duties, but they could use the spot to rotate players or potentially acquire some help from outside the organization.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Thursday that Wagner (knee) is "doing everything" during the first week of spring training and will see some exposure to first base and third base in addition to second base during camp, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

After getting his first call to the big leagues last August, Wagner played 172 of his 175 innings in the field at the keystone and slashed .305/.337/.451 over 86 plate appearances before being shut down for the season in late September for arthroscopic surgery to address inflammation in his left knee. Wagner was cleared to resume baseball activities early in the offseason and looks like he'll be operating under no restrictions during camp, where he'll get reps at three different infield spots with the hope of improving his chances of winning a spot on the Opening Day roster. While he may not have a direct path to a full-time gig at any one position, Wagner's versatility and contact skills could be enough for him to settle into a near-everyday role.

Boston's acquisition of Alex Bregman could impact Campbell in 2025, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports. The prospect had been expected to compete for the starting job at second base prior to Bregman agreeing to a deal. If Bregman is used as the team's primary second baseman, it makes more sense for the Red Sox to have Campbell get regular at-bats at Triple-A Worcester.

The Bregman deal should be finalized in the coming days, at which point, Campbell's role for the upcoming season should become clearer. If the Red Sox slot Bregman at second base, then Campbell could open the season at Triple-A Worcester, where he would get regular plate appearances. That seems more likely than having him stick around as a utility infielder, which would limit his at-bats. Boston has a number of utility infielders that could handle a part-time role, such as David Hamilton, Vaughn Grissom or Romy Gonzalez.

Donovan will earn $2.85 million in 2025 after losing his arbitration case Wednesday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Arbitration-eligible for the first time, Donovan had been hopeful to work out a multi-year extension with the Cardinals this offseason, but the two sides couldn't come to an agreement before the Jan. 9 deadline. He then filed for a $3.3 million salary for 2025, but he'll ultimately have to settle for $450,000 less than that amount after losing his case. The lack of an extension shouldn't affect Donovan's standing in the organization, as he's still expected to serve as a near-everyday player in 2025 after slashing .278/.342/.417 with a career-high 14 home runs and 73 RBI over 652 plate appearances last season.

The Rays are targeting late May for the season debut of Kim (shoulder), Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Kim had said earlier this offseason that he hoped to be ready to play by mid-April following labrum repair surgery on his right shoulder in October. However, he'll be brought along more slowly than that, effectively missing the first two months of the season. The Rays will use Taylor Walls and Jose Caballero at shortstop until Kim is ready.