MLB Player News
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Nacho Alvarez Jr. 3B | ATL
Braves' Nacho Alvarez: Optioned to Triple-A
Atlanta optioned Alvarez to Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday.
The 22-year-old was attempting to earn a roster spot as a utility player, but he instead ends up being one of the first cuts of camp. Alvarez played 58 big-league games last season and had a .234/.296/.330 slash line with two home runs in 208 plate appearances.
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Graham Pauley 3B | MIA
Marlins' Graham Pauley: Good to go at DH
Pauley (forearm) is batting sixth as the designated hitter in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals.
Pauley has dealt with tightness in his right forearm early in camp, but he's set to make his spring debut Sunday. The 25-year-old likely won't be fully cleared until he's deemed ready to handle defensive duties, but he still has plenty of time to do so ahead of Opening Day.
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Rafael Devers 3B | SF
Giants' Rafael Devers: Halts all activity
The Giants will shut Devers (hamstring) down from all activities for the next 2-to-4 days, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
Devers was scratched from Friday's game with hamstring tightness, and the Giants will now act with extreme caution and allow their star slugger to rest. Once he begins participating in activities again, a clearer timeline for his return to Cactus League play may emerge.
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Graham Pauley 3B | MIA
Marlins' Graham Pauley: Returning Sunday
Pauley (forearm) will serve as Miami's designated hitter in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals, Stephen Strom of Marlins Radio Network reports.
Pauley's spring debut has been delayed this year due to forearm tightness, but he has seemingly made a full recovery and will begin playing in exhibition games this weekend. The 25-year-old slashed .224/.311/.366 with 11 RBI and 18 runs scored across 184 plate appearances with the Marlins last year and is the favorite to open the regular season as Miami's primary third baseman.
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Brett Baty 3B | NYM
Mets' Brett Baty: In Saturday's lineup
Baty (hamstring) will start at first base and bat fourth in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals.
Baty tweaked his hamstring during an offseason workout shortly before the start of spring training, but he's now been cleared to begin playing in exhibition games. Now that he's healthy, the 26-year-old is expected to compete with top prospect Carson Benge for the starting job in right field this spring. If Baty loses the battle, he will likely still make the Opening Day roster as a utility man.
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Rafael Devers 3B | SF
Giants' Rafael Devers: Scratched due to tight hamstring
Devers was scratched from Friday's Cactus League lineup against the Dodgers because of left hamstring tightness, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
It's not clear at this point whether Devers might be sent for an MRI, but the Giants will be cautious with their first baseman this early in spring training. Bryce Eldridge took his spot in the lineup Friday.
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Rafael Devers 3B | SF
Giants' Rafael Devers: Scratched from Friday's lineup
Devers was scratched from Friday's Cactus League lineup against the Dodgers, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
There's no word yet on the reasoning behind Devers being scratched. Bryce Eldridge entered the lineup in his place, batting second and playing first base.
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Manny Machado 3B | SD
Padres' Manny Machado: Enjoys big game in Cactus League
Machado went 2-for-3 with a pair of home runs, a walk and six RBI in Thursday's Cactus League loss to Cincinnati.
Machado went 0-for-5 over his first three spring contests but exploded with a two-run home run and a grand slam Thursday. The veteran third baseman is approaching his eighth season with San Diego and has hit between 27 and 32 homers in each of the past five regular seasons. Machado remains one of fantasy's top third basemen and has typically been one of the first five players selected at the position in drafts this year.
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Jonathon Long 3B | CHC
Cubs' Jonathon Long: Won't play in WBC
Long (elbow) will not join Team Chinese Taipei for the World Baseball Classic, deciding instead to stay in camp to focus on his rehab, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Long has been dealing with a left elbow sprain and has been on the mend over the past week. His original plan was to simply delay his departure for the WBC, but now the 24-year-old has opted to instead stick with the Cubs. While it's a disappointing development for Long, the decision makes sense in terms of getting fully healthy for the regular season. The youngster figures to start the year with Triple-A Iowa, where he'll look to build on the 20 home runs and .885 OPS he posted across 140 games at the same level in 2025.
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Austin Riley 3B | ATL
Braves' Austin Riley: Launches first spring homer
Riley went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in Atlanta's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates on Wednesday.
The third baseman took Jarod Bayless deep in the third inning, taking advantage of Paul Skenes' exit two batters prior. Riley was fully healthy for the first time in a while this offseason, and he's looking to rebound after a couple tough campaigns that saw him hit just 35 homers in 212 regular-season games with a .760 OPS -- a sharp decline for the 28-year-old after he belted 75 long balls with an .869 OPS in 2022-23 while missing only six games in total.