MLB Player News

Bregman (back) is not in the lineup for Thursday's spring game against the Marlins, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com.

Bregman will get the day off after leaving Wednesday's spring game with a sore back. Manager AJ Hinch expects Bregman to be back in the lineup for Friday's exhibition contest.

Wisdom entered Wednesday's game against the Giants as a replacement at first base. He went 0-for-2, and is hitting .136 (3-for-22) over 10 spring games.

For a while during the offseason, Wisdom looked like he was going to be the Rangers' starting third baseman. That was before the organization signed Asdrubal Cabrera, who is the favorite to start at the hot corner. As such, the Rangers are exposing Wisdom to first base -- he played three games there last season with the Cardinals -- to provide depth at both corner-infield positions.

Bregman left Wednesday's game against the Marlins with back stiffness, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The issue looks to be a minor one, as manager AJ Hinch said that Bregman would return to the lineup Friday against the Cardinals. Bregman has had a bit of a rough spring, as he missed time early while recovering from January elbow surgery, though neither issue is expected to threaten his readiness for Opening Day.

The White Sox reassigned Madrigal to their minor-league camp Tuesday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Madrigal hasn't played above the High-A level, so his inclusion in the White Sox's first round of spring cuts doesn't come as a surprise. The infielder was, however, billed as an advanced college bat when he was selected with the No. 4 overall pick last summer in the first-year player draft, and should move quickly through Chicago's farm system. He could open the upcoming campaign at Double-A Birmingham.

Astudillo will compete with Ehire Adrianza and Ronald Torreyes for the backup third base role to Marwin Gonzalez while Miguel Sano is sidelined for a month due to a foot injury, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Sano's injury means Astudillo is much more likely to make the final 25-man roster as a third catcher and utility player. His ability to show he can handle playing third base this spring will likely be paramount to him making the squad.

Duffy relayed that his injured hamstring "feels pretty good" and said he hopes to test it by running Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

After a team off-day Monday, Duffy had planned to resume running Tuesday, but the Rays decided he could benefit from another day of less strenuous workouts. Assuming his hamstring doesn't act up again once he's cleared to run, Duffy is confident he'll be able to return to Grapefruit League action shortly thereafter and erase any concern about his availability for Opening Day, especially considering an MRI he took Saturday came back clear. The 28-year-old is slated to serve as the Rays' everyday third baseman this season after hitting .294 with four home runs and 12 stolen bases across 560 plate appearances in 2018.

Bregman started at third base and went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run in Monday's game against the Mets.

Bregman made his second spring start, though not consecutively, and recorded his first official at-bats. In his first game, he walked twice and was hit by a pitch on his left elbow. There was some bruising but nothing significant. After belting his first spring homer, the 24-year-old Bregman told Brian McTaggart of MLB.com that he still needs to work on his swing after undergoing right elbow surgery in January. He tested the elbow in the field, backhanding a ball wide of third and making the long throw to first for the out. The next milestone for Bregman is playing consecutive games in the field.

Astudillo will play third base Tuesday against the Rays, not shortstop as an incorrect early lineup suggested, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

The new position still indicates that the Twins will look to use Astudillo in a versatile role this season, though playing the toughest position in the infield may be a step too far.

Astudillo will start Tuesday's game against the Rays at shortstop, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Astudillo certainly isn't shaped like a traditional shortstop, but he was used in a surprisingly versatile role last season, making a start at second base and an appearance in center field. He has a better bat than fellow catchers Mitch Garver and Jason Castro, and has good numbers as a pitch framer as well, but he seems to be forced to fight for a utility role to earn his place on the Opening Day roster, especially with Nelson Cruz blocking the designated hitter spot. The fact that he's getting time at shortstop indicates that the Twins will give him every chance to do just that.

Duffy (hamstring) is scheduled to begin running again after Monday's off day, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The oft-injured Duffy was scratched from Saturday's game due to a recurrence of hamstring tightness and then sat out Sunday's win over the Pirates as well. Duffy's spring debut was delayed until last Thursday due to the original hamstring issue that cropped up early in camp, so the team is likely to remain cautious with the third baseman given his recent history of lower-body issues.