MLB Player News

Chapman (hand) has been cleared to resume swinging Thursday, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

Chapman continues to work his way back from an injured right hand. It's likely that the club will keep him out of spring games for a while longer until he's able to show significant progress, but this is obviously a positive development for the third baseman. Chad Pinder will receive more time at the hot corner in Chapman's absence.

Duffy said Wednesday that he's recovering from a back spasm and expects to be sidelined for "a couple days," Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Duffy reiterated that the injury wasn't related to the heel issues that have derailed him both of the past two seasons and noted that he expects to back in the Rays' Grapefruit League lineup before long. Despite his poor track record on the health front, Duffy projects to open the season as the team's everyday third baseman, with his strong contact skills perhaps garnering him a spot near the top of the batting order.

Duffy was scratched from Tuesday's game against the Orioles due to back tightness, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The Rays noted Duffy's heel had nothing to do with his removal from the lineup, which is certainly encouraging seeing as a recurring heel injury kept him on the shelf all of last season. The team will likely still choose to play it safe with him given how early it is in spring training.

Duffy has been scratched from Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Christian Arroyo will step in to play third in place of Duffy, who was a late removal from the lineup for an undisclosed reason. The 27-year-old missed all of last season with a nagging heel injury, so the Rays could simply be playing it safe with him given how early on it is in camp. More specifics regarding why Duffy was scratched should become available following Tuesday's spring contest.

Burger has been diagnosed with a ruptured left Achilles and will miss the 2018 season, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

This is a big blow for one of the White Sox's top hitting prospects, as it pushes back his big-league ETA by at least a year. Burger should now be discounted significantly in dynasty-league drafts, as he will be unable to improve his stock until 2019. He has the potential to someday offer Mike Moustakas-esque production at the hot corner, but likely won't reach the majors until 2020 or 2021.

Duffy is in line to enter the upcoming season as Tampa Bay's starting third baseman, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports.

Duffy's 2017 season was limited to three outings at High-A Charlotte, as he had to spend an extended period of time rehabbing heel and Achilles injuries. His goal for the offseason was to reach a point where he could confidently run without having any concerns about aggravating his injuries. He was able to achieve this, and will spend the spring settling back into the hot corner, a spot he's slated to occupy now that Evan Longoria is a member of the Giants.

Burger injured his left Achilles tendon Monday, James Fegan of The Athletic Chicago reports.

Burger went down in a heap while running out a grounder to first, and he was down for several minutes before ultimately being taken off the field in a cart. Further specifics regarding the severity of injury should surface in the coming days after he's further evaluated.

Candelario suffered nothing worse than a bruised left knee after a collision in Monday's game against Baltimore, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Candelario was removed from the game after colliding with Kevin Gausman. He stayed in the game to take his at-bat but was removed for a pinch runner after working a walk. He is considered day-to-day, making it likely that he'll return to Grapefruit League action later this week.

Burger has been removed from Monday's Cactus League game against the Athletics with an apparent leg injury, James Fegan of The Athletic Chicago reports.

Burger appeared to suffer the injury while running out a groundball. He was down for several minutes before leaving on a cart. The 2017 first-round pick hit .271/.335/.409 for Low-A Kannapolis last season.

Plouffe was scratched from Monday's game against the Dodgers with left intercostal tightness, Levi Weaver of The Athletic Dallas reports.

Christian Lopes will step in to start at third base in Plouffe's place. The severity of the issue remains unclear, but more should be known shortly after he's further evaluated. It would be a tough break for Plouffe if he's forced to miss a chunk of time, as he's competing for a reserve role in camp following a disappointing 2017 campaign that saw him post a .198/.272/.318 line across 100 games between Oakland and Tampa Bay.