MLB Player News

Madrigal (shoulder) will start at second base and bat second in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Padres.

After completing his recovery from the left shoulder surgery he required last October, Madrigal was cleared to make his spring debut March 8. The White Sox then held him out for the next week after he experienced some residual soreness in the shoulder, but Madrigal looks to be good to go after the extended rest period. Opening Day is still two weeks away, so Madrigal still has sufficient time to get ramped up for the start of the season.

The Rays optioned Walls to their minor-league camp Tuesday.

The switch-hitting infielder will likely report to the Rays' affiliate in Durham when the Triple-A East season gets underway in May. In his last minor-league season, 2019, Walls split time between High-A Charlotte and Double-A Montgomery, slashing .270/.343/.452 with 10 home runs and 28 stolen bases.

Bregman (hamstring) will start at third base and bat third Tuesday in the Astros' Grapefruit League game against the Mets, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Bregman will check into the lineup for the first time this spring after his debut was delayed by the sore left hamstring that he experienced shortly upon reporting to camp. According to Rome, manager Dusty Baker said that he expects Bregman to pick up two or three at-bats across four or five innings before bowing out of Tuesday's contest. If Bregman's hamstring responds well to game action, Baker indicated that the third baseman could be back in the lineup Wednesday against the Cardinals, too.

Bregman (hamstring) will play in Tuesday's exhibition game against the Mets, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Bregman has had to wait a while to see his first action of the spring, but he will only have to wait one day longer at this point. Despite the lack of at-bats up to this point, the two weeks remaining in spring training should give him ample time to get ready for Opening Day.

Madrigal has not played in a game since making his spring debut last Monday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Madrigal, who underwent offseason shoulder surgery, has experienced residual soreness in his left shoulder after that first appearance. White Sox manager Tony La Russa said Madrigal could return to game action as early as Tuesday and as late as Thursday.

Astudillo 1-for-3 with a home run in Saturday's spring training win over Tampa Bay. He's hitting .417 (5-for-12) this spring.

Astudillo is competing for a utility role in which he can serve as a third catcher and also play third base, second base and left field. Despite his hot start to the spring, it's not clear if the Twins will need a third catcher, and the team may prefer other utility options that provide better infield defense.

Peraza was optioned to High-A Hudson Valley on Friday.

Peraza was added to the 40-man roster in November, but he is only 20 years old and has yet to reach Double-A. He has gone 1-for-9 with an RBI over eight Grapefruit League games this spring.

Manager Dusty Baker hopes Bregman (hamstring) will be able to play in spring training games next week, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The 26-year-old has yet to make his spring debut due to a left hamstring issue, and he won't be joining the lineup this weekend. Bregman said last week he feels about 90 percent healthy while taking live batting practice and participating in pregame work, but the Astros continue to slow play his progression in camp. There doesn't appear to be much concern about his availability for Opening Day at this point, though it's worth keeping an eye on his status until he actually takes the field.

Jung was assigned to minor-league camp Friday, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

The Rangers don't have many compelling options competing for playing time at third base, with Rougned Odor, Brock Holt and Charlie Culberson among the top candidates. They could have theoretically turned to Jung, who earned rave reviews at the alternate site last season and is expected to debut at some point this year. Sending him down for now makes sense, as he's played in just 44 professional games, none of which have come above the Low-A level, but it may not be too long before he's knocking on the door if he looks good in the minors to start the season.

Urias is battling to earn a roster spot as a bench player, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

Urias proved himself capable of playing across the infield while coming up through the Cardinals' farm system, and he spent time at second base and shortstop during his major-league debut in 2020. That versatility is something that manager Brandon Hyde stressed when discussing the traits he is looking for in bench bats heading into the 2021 campaign. Urias is in the thick of competition with Pat Valaika and Stevie Wilkerson for the role, though he may see limited playing time initially even if he breaks camp with the big-league club.