MLB Player News

Madrigal (shoulder) is listed as an available bench bat Monday in the Angels' Cactus League game against the Rangers, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

After missing the entire 2025 season while recovering from February surgery to repair a fractured left shoulder, Madrigal doesn't appear to be facing any restrictions in spring training. He came off the bench to play second base in the Angels' spring opener Saturday against the Dodgers, recording a base hit and a walk in his two plate appearances. Madrigal could also get some exposure to third base in the spring as he looks to display versatility in his bid to win a utility role with the Angels, but he'll still be facing an uphill battle to crack the Opening Day roster.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Monday that Walls (oblique) "came in feeling really good today" and could return to Grapefruit League action later this week, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Walls had to be scratched from Sunday's game due to the injury, but the Rays appear optimistic it's just a minor setback. The veteran infielder is also coming back from last September's sports hernia surgery, though that hasn't limited him in camp. Walls is competing to start at shortstop for the Rays.

Durbin started at third base and went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored in Sunday's spring game against the Blue Jays.

Durbin made his Grapefruit League debut and was stationed at third base, where he and Marcelo Mayer are expected to see playing time this coming season. Each player will also get reps at second base. Mayer has not yet appeared in a spring game.

Walls was removed from the lineup for Sunday's Grapefruit League game versus Pittsburgh due to oblique tightness, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Walls had been set to make his first spring appearance, which would have also been his first game action since early September of last year after he ended the campaign on the 60-day IL due to sports hernia surgery. Walls' removal from the lineup Sunday was precautionary, but the Rays figure to take a cautious approach to his return. Raynel Delgado has taken Walls' place at shortstop and in the leadoff spot against the Pirates.

Mastrobuoni went 2-for-2 with a double and a grand slam in Saturday's Cactus League matchup with the Giants.

It was a strong start to the spring for Mastrobuoni, who got the start in left field Saturday. He put the Mariners ahead early with his first-inning grand slam off Hayden Birdsong. Mastrobuoni, who hit just one home run while posting a .620 OPS in 175 plate appearances last season, has a shot to make Seattle's Opening Day roster as a bench option thanks to his positional versatility.

Walls (sports hernia) will start at shortstop and bat leadoff in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Walls underwent sports hernia surgery in early September last year, ending his season after 101 games and 317 plate appearances. Despite a .195/.286/.298 career slash line over parts of five big-league seasons with the Rays, Walls may have the leg up on prospect Carson Williams for the starting job at shortstop thanks to his plus defense.

The Orioles claimed Ramos off waivers from the Cardinals on Friday, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.

Ramos has been bouncing around for the past month after he was DFA'd by the White Sox in January. Chicago then traded Ramos to Baltimore, but the Orioles then DFA'd the third baseman before the Cardinals claimed him and then designated Ramos for assignment themselves earlier this week. Ramos will provide organizational corner infield depth for the Orioles if he sticks around.

Mayo could be the Orioles' Opening Day third baseman following an injury to Jordan Westburg (elbow), Brendan Mortensen of MASNSports.com reports.

Westburg is set to miss at least the first month of the season due to a partially torn UCL in his right elbow. Mayo was primarily a third baseman in the minors before the Orioles had him focus mostly on first base last season. However, there is a clear need at the hot corner now, so the 24-year-old is in line to return to his old position. Mayo has mostly struggled at the big-league level, but the former top prospect showed signs of life last September, slashing .301/.393/.548 with five homers.

Mayo could see increased opportunity at third base for the Orioles if Jordan Westburg (oblique/elbow) has to miss time, Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner reports.

Westburg is now dealing with an elbow injury in addition to an oblique strain, and his long-term status is uncertain. The Orioles had seemingly moved on last season from Mayo playing third base, preferring to use him instead at first base, but now the team could have a much larger need at the hot corner. Mayo has been getting lots of reps at third base in camp and could be the Opening Day starter there if Westburg is shelved. Blaze Alexander is also a candidate to play third base, though he could be needed at second base initially while Jackson Holliday (hand) is out. Mayo has slashed just .201/.285/.349 with a 31.2 percent strikeout rate in the majors, but he did perk up last September with regular playing time, hitting .301/.393/.548 with five homers.

Alexander signed a minor-league contract with the Astros on Tuesday.

Alexander spent nearly all of 2025 at Triple-A, slashing .254/.355/.450 across 462 total plate appearances with three organizations. He'll now begin the 2026 campaign in the Astros' farm system and is again likely to spend most of the year at Triple-A Sugar Land.