MLB Player News

With Gio Urshela not locked into the starting third base job yet, McKinstry may have a path to more regular playing time at the hot corner, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Petzold went on to note that McKinstry is still likely best suited for a utility role off the bench, but the uncertainty at third base could work in his favor. For now, Urshela along with Matt Vierling seem like the top options at the hot corner, with McKinstry available there and elsewhere across the diamond. The 28-year-old offers nice versatility, though he's never produced much offensively at the MLB level.

Angels manager Ron Washington said he's experimenting with Rendon batting leadoff in Wednesday's Cactus League game since the team doesn't have an ideal option, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Rendon wouldn't offer much speed at the top of the lineup with just two steals in each of the past two seasons, but he does have a career 11 percent walk rate. The 33-year-old has primarily hit third or fourth since joining the Angels in 2020, but his spot in the order at this point is really secondary. Rendon has played in just 148 games over the past three seasons, and even when available he hasn't been particularly productive with a .701 OPS.

Moncada was a late scratch from the White Sox's Cactus League lineup Wednesday against the Reds due to illness, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

He should be ready to return to action in a day or two. Mike Moustakas replaced Moncada at third base Wednesday.

Davis is 3-for-5 with a double over his first two Cactus League games with the Athletics on Sunday and Monday.

The new veteran addition has wasted no time making his mark with his pair of productive performances. Davis projects to hold down the primary role at third base once the regular season begins, and he'll have several more opportunities in spring play to continue tuning up for that assignment.

LeMahieu (foot) on Wednesday didn't rule out being ready for Opening Day, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

LeMahieu is dealing with a bone bruise in his right foot which is causing plenty of discomfort. The Yankees have only five more Grapefruit League games after Wednesday's contest and it doesn't sound like LeMahieu is a given to play in any of them. However, the 35-year-old said that he's "had plenty of at-bats" and is "pretty much ready" for the start of the season. If the team opts to hold LeMahieu out for a bit, Oswaldo Cabrera would be in line for third base duties.

Urshela has yet to lock down the Tigers' third base job, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Petzold writes that Urshela remains "Plan A" at third base, but he's receiving competition from "Plan B" Matt Vierling, with Zach McKinstry and Andy Ibanez also in the mix but on the periphery. The Tigers might ultimately not settle on an everyday guy at the hot corner, especially since all of the players in the competition are capable of playing multiple positions.

Jung (calf) served as the designated hitter in a minor-league game Monday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

In order to get as many at-bats as possible, Jung was the leadoff batter in every inning and went 2-for-4 with two singles. Texas manager Bruce Bochy is hopeful Jung will be ready to go by Opening Day and sees the third baseman playing in two exhibition game against the Red Sox at Globe Life Field on March 25-26. The manager has not ruled out a start in a Cactus League game before the Rangers break camp.

The Twins optioned Miranda to Triple-A St. Paul on Monday, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The addition of Carlos Santana pretty much blocked Miranda's path to an Opening Day roster spot. He's probably best off going back to the minors for a while, anyway, following offseason surgery to remove scar tissue from his right labrum and rotator cuff.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Monday that he's not sure whether LeMahieu (foot) will be ready for Opening Day, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

X-rays on LeMahieu's right foot came back negative after he fouled a ball off the area in Saturday's Grapefruit League contest. However, LeMahieu is dealing with a "pretty significant bone bruise," per Boone, and remains in discomfort. The club doesn't want LeMahieu to have to play through anything early on in the season, so it will exercise caution. Oswaldo Cabrera would likely be the top candidate to fill in at third base if LeMahieu has to miss time to begin the season.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Monday that LeMahieu's left foot injury could "cost him some days here," Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

LeMahieu fouled a ball off the foot during a Grapefruit League contest Saturday. X-rays came back negative, and while LeMahieu is feeling better, he still remains sore and will need a few days of rest. The Yankees will wait and see how the infielder responds over the next few days before having a better feel for his status.