MLB Player News

Villar (hand) is starting at third base and batting sixth in Sunday's Cactus League game against the Mariners, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Villar was hit by a pitch on the left hand Monday but had X-rays come back negative, and he'll return to action Sunday after taking a few days to recover. The 27-year-old struggled to a .551 OPS in 46 big-league games last season and is fighting for a bench job on San Francisco's Opening Day roster.

Kingery (illness) went 0-for-3 with a run scored and a strikeout while seeing action at shortstop and second base in Grapefruit League games Friday and Saturday.

Kingery hadn't played in any spring games for about a week due to an illness before returning to action Friday. Though he's seemingly healthy again, Kingery is likely to be reassigned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley before camp comes to a close.

Haggerty hasn't played in a Cactus League game since Wednesday due to arm soreness, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

Drayer adds that the utility asset is due to return to games "in the next day or two." Haggerty has had a rough spring at the plate thus far, hitting .077 (1-for-13) with a walk, a stolen base and three runs over six Cactus League games. However, the veteran will be counted on again to fill in at multiple infield and outfield positions during the 2024 campaign after producing a .255/.345/.382 slash line with 20 extra-base hits, 28 RBI and 23 stolen bases over 135 games for the Mariners in the last two seasons.

Edman said Saturday that the nagging pain in his surgically repaired right wrist is "more inflammation than structural" following second and third opinions from doctors, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

The switch-hitter has had to be shut down twice this spring due to lingering pain when he bats right-handed and is expected to begin the season on the injured list. However, while it's not yet clear what the steps will be in Edman's rehab, he's confident he will not be sidelined long. The Cardinals are expected to use Dylan Carlson in center field while Edman is on the shelf.

Donovan is expected to get some playing time in the outfield next week, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Donovan was limited to second base early in camp, but manager Oliver Marmol is loosening the reins on his super-utility player. Once the season starts, it's unlikely Donovan will need to play right field much, but he could be valuable cover in left field, as Lars Nootbaar (ribs) is likely to miss time at the start of 2024. Donovan is still projected to see most of his playing time at second base this season, but his versatility gives Marmol options when constructing his lineup on a daily basis.

The Mariners reassigned Chavis to minor-league camp Saturday, Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports 710 AM reports.

Chavis signed with the Mariners in January as a non-roster invitee, but he will end up missing the cut after going 2-for-18 across eight games with two RBI and eight strikeouts. Chavis owns a .650 OPS since 2021 and will head to the minors looking to fight his way back onto the major-league bench.

Foscue reported feeling pain in his side Friday, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

Foscue said he didn't feel any discomfort in his side Saturday, but the Rangers will still keep him shut down for a few days as a precaution. The 25-year-old has registered eight hits in 26 at-bats this spring and currently projects to open the season as Texas' primary DH.

Ortiz is 4-for-16 (.250) with a home run, a double, four RBI, two runs, a steal and a 2:4 BB:K through six games this spring.

Ortiz has fared well at the plate during the exhibition season, as after six appearances he owns an .833 OPS. The Brewers -- who acquired Ortiz as part of the Corbin Burnes deal -- are evaluating where he fits best, as he has already seen action at the three infield spots left of first base. Ortiz will be blocked at his natural position of shortstop as long as Willy Adames is around, but he is firmly in the mix for a role at both second and third base.

India started at first base and went 0-for-2 with a walk before rain canceled Friday's spring game against the Dodgers. He flawlessly handled all chances in the field.

India's spring was delayed by a foot injury that plagued him in 2023. He's shifting from second base to a utility role this season, which will impact his fantasy value. The position versatility is helpful, but a consistent path to at-bats is not guaranteed. The latter changed Friday when MLB suspended Noelvi Marte, who was the projected starter at third base, 80 games for violating the drug prevention and treatment program. That paves the way for India, Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Jeimer Candelario to get regular opportunities between first base, third base and designated hitter.

Julien left Friday's Grapefruit League loss to Pittsburgh in the first inning after getting hit in the right wrist by a pitch. "It did turn black and blue immediately," manager Rocco Baldelli told Phil Miller and La Valle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, "but he was doing OK and has good strength."

It doesn't sound like a serious injury, but Julien may be sidelined a few days as a result. Julien is having a strong spring, hitting .421 (8-for-19) with two home runs. He had an outstanding rookie season with a .381 OBP and drew walks at a near league-leading 15.7 percent clip. However, he hit just .195 with a .447 OPS against left-handed pitching. Julien will become the primary starter at second base after the trade of Jorge Polanco but will likely be platooned with Kyle Farmer.