MLB Player News

Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said in December that Miranda is on track to open the season as the team's primary third baseman following the offseason trade of Gio Urshela to the Angels, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Miranda saw most of his opportunities during his rookie season at first base or as a designated hitter, but he'll get the chance to return to the position where he spent most of his minor-league career now that Urshela is out West. Though Miranda didn't grade out well defensively in the corner infield in 2022, the Twins are optimistic that the decline in the field from Urshela to the 24-year-old won't be a substantial one. At the very least, Miranda should provide an overall upgrade from Urshela at the plate after overcoming a slow start to his rookie campaign to finish with an impressive .268/.325/.426 slash line over 483 plate appearances.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that he envisions Donaldson serving as the team's starting third baseman this season, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Though the skipper noted that Anthony Rizzo and Gleyber Torres will likely join Donaldson as the preferred starters at three of the infield spots, DJ LeMahieu is expected to rove between first base, second base, third base and designated hitter to maintain a near-everyday role. As a result, Donaldson could be at risk of sitting the most of the trio, given that he endured a rough 2022 campaign in which he finished with a .682 OPS and a 27.1 percent strikeout rate, his worst marks since 2012 and 2011, respectively. Donaldson still graded out well defensively at the hot corner, but his declining bat, advancing age and injury history still might make it difficult for him to match or surpass the 546 plate appearances he logged in his first season in New York.

LeMahieu (toe) confirmed Sunday that he's 100 percent for spring training and will face no limitations during camp, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

LeMahieu's comments about his own health come just a few days after Yankees manager Aaron Boone confirmed that he expects the 34-year-old to be ready to go for the start of the regular season. Due to his veteran status, LeMahieu may not be worked into Grapefruit League games as soon as some of the other Yankees position players who are attending big-league camp, but the infielder should be able to get in the reps he needs to prepare himself for the season. According to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, Boone said Wednesday that he envisions Anthony Rizzo, Gleyber Torres and Josh Donaldson serving as the team's primary starters at first base, second base and third base, respectively, but LeMahieu is expected to retain a near-everyday role while roving between all three positions and designated hitter.

Urshela lost his arbitration case against the Angels on Saturday, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Urshela will make $8.4 million this season. He may not see everyday at-bats during his first season with the Angels, but he could be the top backup at multiple infield positions.

Ramirez feels great following offseason thumb surgery, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Ramirez recorded a respectable .766 OPS after injuring his thumb in mid-June, but his 1.039 OPS prior to the injury demonstrates what he's capable of. It will be good to see the four-time All-Star back up his words with some strong spring performances, but it looks as though there's every reason to believe he'll be fully healthy heading into the year.

Moncada said Thursday that he probably came back too soon from an early-season oblique injury last year, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

Perhaps a lingering oblique injury can at least partly explain a disastrous showing from Moncada in 2022 which saw him post just a .626 OPS with 12 home runs over 104 games. The 27-year-old said he's done "everything" differently this offseason as far as his training goes, including getting more massages. Moncada added that he hasn't been dealing with the shoulder soreness he usually experiences at the beginning of spring training. Obviously, a bounceback season from Moncada would be huge for the White Sox' 2023 outlook.

Urias is expected to play more at second base during spring training, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Urias won a Gold Glove at third base last season, but the Orioles seem to be planning to use Gunnar Henderson there in 2023, with Jorge Mateo at shortstop and Adam Frazier at second. It would appear to leave Urias without a set starting spot, although he should still play plenty. Urias ended last season with a knee injury but reported to camp fully healthy.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone expects LeMahieu (toe) to be ready for the start of the 2023 season, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

LeMahieu has been spotted early in the spring taking grounders at third base, and he reportedly looks to be back at full health after missing the end of the 2022 season because of a broken right toe. The infielder notably struggled while trying to play through the injury, leading to him finishing the campaign with a .261/.337/.337 slash line over 541 plate appearances. A healthy campaign could see the 34-year-old ascend back to previous levels, but there's a good chance LeMahieu is only a one-category player at this stage of his career.

Urias (knee) announced Friday in a video posted on his personal Instagram account that he has fully healed from the sprained right knee that sidelined him for the final week of the 2022 season.

Urias acknowledged in early October that he would avoid surgery on the knee and would need about 8-to-12 weeks to make a full recovery from the injury, so it doesn't come as a major surprise that he's good to go for spring training. However, due to what he attributed to "medical insurance" purposes, Urias didn't receive clearance to play for the Mexican team in the World Baseball Classic this spring. Urias shouldn't face any limitations in Orioles camp or during the Grapefruit League slate as he looks to stake a claim to a full-time starting role in the infield heading into Opening Day.

LeMahieu (toe) was spotted taking grounders at third base during the Yankees' team workout Monday, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

Though only pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to the Yankees' facility in Florida at this stage of spring training, LeMahieu is already in camp and looks to be back to full health after he was sidelined with a broken right toe for New York's postseason run last fall. LeMahieu was able to avoid offseason surgery and treated the injury through rest and rehab. Before being shut down with the fractured toe, LeMahieu struggled mightily down the stretch while playing through the injury, ultimately finishing the 2022 regular season with a .261/.337/.377 slash line, 12 home runs and four stolen bases across 541 plate appearances. The 34-year-old should reclaim an everyday role in the infield to begin 2023 now that he's healed up, but he could be at risk of moving further down in the lineup after making 89 of his 116 starts in 2022 out of the leadoff spot.