MLB Player News

Haggerty hasn't played in a Cactus League game since Wednesday while receiving treatment for general soreness in his lower body, the team's official site reports.

Manager Scott Servais notes Haggerty, who's gone 2-for-6 in the three Cactus League games he's played thus far, is struggling to reach his top-end speed. That's led to a mutual decision between team and player to give the valuable utility asset some rest days, but the Mariners skipper noted that Haggerty is expected back "in the next day or two."

Merrifield has been out of Grapefruit League games since Friday due to right quad tightness, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Zwelling reports that the injury is considered minor, and the Blue Jays are being extra cautious. The long-time Royal did go through a full workout on Saturday, and he told reporters that he has more than enough time remaining in Florida to be ready for the regular season. It's an injury to keep an eye on for fantasy managers considering Merrifield for the 2023 campaign, but it appears that he's avoided a serious knock and should be ready for Opening Day.

Angels manager Phil Nevin indicated that Rengifo could play right field occasionally this season as well as during his time with Team Venezuela during the World Baseball Classic, Doug Padilla of The Orange County Register reports.

Rengifo started in right field in Thursday's Cactus League contest against Kansas City and was charged with a throwing error in the fourth inning. He's not a complete stranger to the position -- he logged 103 innings there between 2021 and 2022 -- but hasn't shown great acumen for the outfield thus far. The Angels' infield is much more crowded this year with the additions of Brandon Drury and Gio Urshela as well as the return to health of both Anthony Rendon and David Fletcher, so Rengifo could help himself see more at-bats if he's able to gain the team's confidence as a capable outfielder.

Bae is in a competition with Tucupita Marcano and Rodolfo Castro to begin the 2023 season as Pittsburgh's starting second baseman, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Bae is among the Pirates' better prospects, and he made his big-league debut across the last two weeks of the 2022 season. He was impressive in that span by posting a .333/.405/.424 line with three stolen bases across 37 plate appearances, though Castro had a strong second half of the campaign as well. Bae hasn't hit particularly well at the start of spring training, as he has only one hit in nine at-bats while striking out four times.

Vargas (finger) will not take swings in Saturday's exhibition game, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Vargas has already started several games and not taken a swing while in the batter's box, and that will be the case again Saturday. There was hope that he would be cleared to hit in a game at some point this weekend, but manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that he will not do so until Wednesday at the earliest.

Garcia went 2-for-3 with a walk, a home run, two runs scored and three RBI in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets.

His first homer of the spring wasn't a cheap one -- Garcia turned on a Max Scherzer fastball up in the zone in the third inning and drove it over the right-field wall. Garcia is coming off a mediocre season in the majors, but he's still only 22 years old and slashed .308/.366/.519 in 45 games for Triple-A Rochester in 2022. He could be poised for a big step forward this year.

Mathias was designated for assignment by the Rangers on Saturday.

Lefty reliever Will Smith was brought in on a one-year deal and Mathias was the roster casualty. While he's 28 years old and lacks a defensive home, Mathias hit six home runs in just 91 plate appearances in the majors last year, so he could draw interest on waivers.

Albies (shoulder) will start at second base and bat fifth in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Albies spent the first week or so of camp serving as the designated hitter following a clean-up procedure on his right shoulder in October. He's now ready to test the shoulder in the field and should be in the clear for Opening Day, barring a setback. Between a fractured foot and a broken pinky finger, Albies was limited to just 64 games and three stolen bases last season. He said he plans to do more running with the new rules in place for 2023.

Brujan was removed from Friday's Grapefruit League game after being hit by a pitch, but he did not sustain a serious injury, Kristie Ackert of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Brujan was hit by a pitch in the shoulder in the fourth inning. He stayed in the game initially but was ultimately pulled as a precaution after feeling a "shock sensation" in his hand. However, after the contest manager Kevin Cash said Brujan was fine. The 25-year-old will be fighting for a bench role with the big-league club this spring, but he has only one hit in eight spring at-bats to this point.

Torres (mouth) is starting at second base and batting third Friday versus the Tigers.

Torres had a tooth extracted Thursday and was forced to miss the Yankees' matchup with the Pirates, but his absence will be limited to just one contest. So far this spring, the 26-year-old is 4-for-8 with a long ball.