MLB Player News

Chapman (illness) will serve as the Athletics' designated hitter and bat third Wednesday in the team's Cactus League matchup with the Dodgers.

An illness kept Chapman sidelined for the first six games of the Athletics' Cactus League slate, but it's possible the 25-year-old's spring debut would have been delayed even without the ailment due to the fact he that underwent a left shoulder procedure in December. Chapman entered camp without any restrictions on account of the shoulder, though the Athletics may still limit his reps at third base this spring for precautionary reasons. More importantly, Chapman now looks poised to get enough at-bats in during exhibition contests to erase any concern about his availability for the Athletics' season opener March 20 versus the Mariners in Tokyo.

Chapman (illness) will make his first appearance of the spring as a designated hitter Wednesday against the Dodgers, Julian McWilliams of The Athletic reports.

Chapman's spring was initially slowed by recovery from thumb and shoulder surgeries, but he was cleared for all baseball activities for a brief period before an illness shut him down. Returning Wednesday will give him more than enough time to get in game shape by Opening Day.

Chapman (illness) remains out of the lineup Tuesday against the Angels.

This is the A's sixth Cactus League game and we still haven't seen Chapman, but it doesn't seem like there's any reason to be concerned. He was recently cleared for all baseball activities following December shoulder surgery. By all accounts, the only thing holding him back now is this illness.

Duffy relayed Tuesday that his injured hamstring is "feeling good" and said he expects to play in a Grapefruit League game at some point before the end of the week, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Duffy is scheduled to run the bases Tuesday and Wednesday, after which the Rays should hone in on a target date for his return to the lineup. Unless he experiences a setback this week, Duffy is on track to earn enough at-bats during the spring to secure his spot as the Rays' everyday third baseman once the regular season arrives.

Manager Kevin Cash said there is no set date for Duffy's (hamstring) Grapefruit League debut, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Cash noted that Duffy is "chomping at the bit" to play, but the team is playing it safe and taking it slow with the infielder given how early it is in camp. He's already been ruled out through Tuesday. Duffy's current injury doesn't appear to be overly concerning at this point, but his status will be worth monitoring throughout camp.

Duffy (hamstring) isn't listed in the lineup or as an available option off the bench for the Rays' Grapefruit League games Monday versus the Marlins and Tuesday versus the Orioles, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

A prior report suggested that Duffy could be cleared to make his spring debut as soon as Tuesday, but the Rays have evidently decided to err on the side of caution with the infielder, who has been plagued by lower-body injuries for the past three seasons. Though Duffy's latest setback on the health front doesn't appear to be overly concerning at this stage, those planning on investing in him in deeper mixed leagues or AL-only formats would surely like to see him get some at-bats in sooner rather than later.

Chapman (illness) remains out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Royals.

The injury was first reported Wednesday, so he's now been out several days, but there has been no suggestion that the issue is serious enough to threaten his readiness for Opening Day. Chad Pinder starts at the hot corner in his absence. Chapman will hit in an intrasquad game Sunday, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports, indicating that he's close to returning.

Madrigal started at second base and went 1-for-3 in Saturday's spring loss to the Athletics.

Most of the White Sox's regulars stayed back in Glendale (Ariz.) to face the Dodgers, while Madrigal joined a mostly minor-league contingent on the road in Mesa. The 2018 first-round pick lined out, struck out and had an infield single in his final at-bat. Madrigal is known as a high-contact hitter and struck out a mere five times in 173 plate appearances last year. With Chicago moving Yoan Moncada to third base -- he started there against Oakland -- Madrigal has a clear path to the majors. Yolmer Sanchez is expected to open the season as the everyday second baseman, but the White Sox feel the soon-to-be 22-year-old Madrigal could reach Chicago at some point later this year.

Moncada started at third base and hit leadoff in his first game of spring training in Saturday's loss to the A's. He went 2-for-3 with a double.

Manager Rick Renteria said Moncada could start at third base to begin the season and it looks like he'll get a test at the hot corner this spring. If Moncada moves to third base, Yolmer Sanchez would slide over to second base.

Lewis was not available for Saturday's spring training game due to a mild oblique strain, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. "We're going to be conservative, as you would probably guess," Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said, "Take our time with that. That's something we're going to work through and we're not overly concerned as we sit here right now. It is something to take note of as we go forward."

It sounds like Lewis will be out a week or more, which means he's unlikely to appear in any major league spring training games before minor-league camp begins March 7. He still has plenty of time before the minor-league season begins to get over this issue, but it's worth monitoring since it's an injury that could sidetrack his season.