MLB Player News

Chapman is batting second and starting at third base in Friday's spring game against the Rockies, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Chapman missed the beginning of spring training due to an illness but was able to make his spring debut at designated hitter Wednesday. The 25-year-old underwent left shoulder surgery in December but his return to third base Friday puts him fully on track for the Athletics' season opener March 20 against the Mariners in Japan.

Ramirez went 2-for-3 with a home run, four RBI and two runs scored Thursday against Arizona.

Ramirez picked up his first two hits of the spring, both resulting in runs crossing the plate. He hit an RBI single in the first inning and followed up with a three-run shot over the right-field fence in the fourth. Ramirez belted a career-best 39 homers and drove in 105 runs through 157 games a season ago, so he'll look to find similar success in 2019.

Duffy (hamstring) is starting at third base and hitting sixth Thursday against the Twins, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

As expected, Duffy is ready to make his Grapefruit League debut after clearing his final baserunning hurdle Wednesday. Barring any setbacks, the third baseman should have no problem getting up to speed before the start of the season.

Devers went 3-for-3 with a homer and two RBI in Wednesday's game against the Rays.

Devers opened up the scoring Wednesday with an RBI single in the first inning. The youngster added a solo home run -- his first of spring -- in the third inning before capping his day with another single in the fifth frame. Devers has collected five hits in eight at-bats through a trio of Grapefruit League games.

Bregman (elbow) is expected to make his spring debut Saturday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Bregman underwent surgery in January to remove bone chips from his right elbow. Despite his late start to camp, Bregman has plenty of time to get himself ready for Opening Day.

Candelario went 2-for-3 with an RBI triple, a double and a run scored in Wednesday's win over the Yankees.

Candelario tied the game up with his run-scoring triple in the first inning, and eventually came around to score on a single from Grayson Greiner to put the Tigers ahead. The third baseman has now produced a trio of extra-base hits and a 1:2 K:BB through four spring games.

Manager Kevin Cash said that Duffy (hamstring) will likely make his Grapefruit League debut Thursday versus the Twins, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

According to Steve Carney of Sports Radio 620 WDAE, Duffy took part in rundown drills Wednesday and looked to be sprinting at full speed. Assuming he arrives at camp Thursday without his hamstring presenting any issues, Duffy should check into the lineup, though the Rays could restrict him to a designated-hitter role rather than his normal duties at third base.

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.