MLB Player News

Semien went 1-for-2 with a walk, a home run and two runs scored in Tuesday's spring game against Arizona.

Semien launched Eduardo Rodriguez's first pitch of the game over the wall in left center. It was the first Cactus League homer in four at-bats for Semien, who belted 29 for the Rangers in 2023. He's expected to bat leadoff once again in 2024 and has missed just one game over the last three seasons.

McNeil isn't expected to see his first Grapefruit League action until the first week of March, Bill Ladson of MLB.com reports.

The 31-year-old is managing a partial ligament tear in his left elbow, so the team is easing McNeil into camp. "I already have it mapped out with him. It's part of his progression, build up, volume and all of that," Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Monday. "After going through what he went through this offseason with some of the things he was dealing with, he is healthy, going through full workouts. He's getting plenty of at-bats in live batting practice. He is running the bases. It's more like building the volume up. He'll be up there pretty soon." McNeil is on track to be in the Opening Day lineup at second base, and the elbow issue isn't expected to hamper him at the plate.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Monday that Edman (wrist) is further along on his hitting program from the right side of the plate than the left side, but the 28-year-old remains without a timeline to make his Grapefruit League debut, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

While Edman hasn't experienced any reported setbacks with his surgically repaired right wrist upon reporting to spring training and has been able to hit off a tee as well as soft-toss pitching, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat posits that Edman is still at least a couple weeks away from facing live pitching. With Opening Day just four weeks away, the Cardinals may be preparing for the possibility of Edman beginning the season on the injured list. If Edman fails to break camp as a member of the active roster, Dylan Carlson would likely step in as the Cardinals' primary center fielder, but Edman's absence may loom more largely in the infield. Youngster Masyn Winn is in line to serve as St. Louis' everyday shortstop this season, but Edman had profiled as the top backup option at the position, as the Cardinals have concerns about the defensive abilities of Brendan Donovan and Jose Fermin.

Mathias (shoulder) will start at third base and bat sixth in Monday's split-squad Cactus League game against the Brewers.

The non-roster invitee will be making his second start in as many days after he went 0-for-3 while manning the keystone for five innings in Sunday's 9-4 win over the Angels. Mathias finished the 2023 campaign on the Giants' 60-day injured list due to a right shoulder strain, but he looks to be back to full health as the start of the 2024 season nears.

Norby (side) is feeling betting and will hit Sunday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

The 23-year-old has been shut down for a few days due to some soreness in his left side, but his confirms it isn't a major concern. Norby should continue to ramp up his workouts if he can avoid any setbacks.

Lopez has worked exclusively at second base early in spring training, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Lopez has worked evenly at second base and shortstop throughout his big-league career, but the White Sox are having him focus on the latter position for the time being. Van Schouwen reports that the club envisions him and Paul DeJong as the pairing in the middle infield this season, though Lopez could still lose playing time against lefties. Since a solid 2021 campaign, his performance has slipped considerably, and he posted just a .231/.236/.307 line across 262 plate appearances in 2023.

Stefanic left Saturday's Cactus League game against the Dodgers early due to a left quad strain, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

The severity of Stefanic's injury is unknown, but the Angels will likely have more information following Saturday's contest. Stefanic slashed .290/.380/.355 across 71 plate appearances last season with Los Angeles and found consistent success in Triple-A as well, but his chances at making the big-league roster out of camp may take a significant hit if he's forced to miss a large portion of spring training.

Rengifo is expected to miss time due to left hamstring tightness, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Sam Blum of The Athletic reports that Rengifo will be off his feet for the next few days, but manager Ron Washington believes the infielder will be ready for Opening Day. Rengifo's 2023 season was cut short after he sustained a torn biceps in early September. Across 126 games last year, he slashed .264/.339/.444 with 16 home runs and 51 RBI.

Reds manager David Bell said Saturday that India (foot) won't be able to play in Cactus League games until March 7 or 8, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

India recently suffered a setback with the plantar fasciitis in his left foot, and it seems the Reds will take it slow as he progresses in his running program. Once he's healthy, India is expected to take on a utility role, with Matt McLain (oblique) in line to become Cincinnati's primary second baseman.

Norby is dealing with soreness on his side, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

The Orioles don't seem to consider Norby's injury much of an issue, and he's expected to return within a couple of days. Norby is considered one of the better prospects in Baltimore's farm system, but he's unlikely to break camp with the major-league squad given the Orioles' already-crowded infield.