MLB Player News

Atlanta signed Batten to a minor-league contract Feb. 21 that includes an invitation to spring training.

Batten has already seen action in three Grapefruit League games for Atlanta, going 1-for-5 with an RBI. The 29-year-old is likely to begin the 2025 season at Triple-A Gwinnett serving as utility depth.

Capra went 2-for-3 with a home run, a double and a stolen base in Monday's Cactus League loss to the Reds.

Few players have been as hot this spring as Capra, who is now up to four homers and two steals in just 17 at-bats. The journeyman has appeared in just 20 big-league games and figures to open the regular season with Triple-A Nashville, but he does occupy a spot on Milwaukee's 40-man roster, so he remains in the mix for the time being.

Candelario is currently sidelined after having a painful wisdom tooth pulled Tuesday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Candelario left camp Monday for an appointment and then returned to the dentist Tuesday to have the tooth extracted. He should be ready to play again in a day or two. Candelario is slated for regular playing time with the Reds this season, likely between both corner infield spots and designated hitter.

Machado (back) will start at third base and bat cleanup in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Giants.

As anticipated, Machado will make his return to the lineup for the first time since last Tuesday, after a bout with back tightness prompted the Padres to hold him out. The fact that the Padres are deploying Machado in the field Tuesday rather than at designated hitter suggests that the team doesn't have much concern about the back issue being something that will require extra management throughout the spring.

Riley went 2-for-3 with a double, a home run, two runs scored and two RBI in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.

The third baseman took Marcus Stroman deep in the first inning for his first long ball of the spring. Injuries helped derail his 2024 campaign, and Riley saw his streak of consecutive seasons with at least 30 homers, 90 runs and 90 RBI end at three. The 27-year-old was healthy to begin camp however, and he's on track to reclaim his spot at the heart of Atlanta's lineup.

Machado (back) is expected to play in one of Tuesday's split-squad games, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The veteran third baseman was scratched from the lineup Friday due to back tightness, but it appears he'll require only a few days off before returning to action. Barring an aggravation of the injury, Machado shouldn't have an issue being ready for the start of the season.

Suarez went 1-for-2 with a walk, a home run and three RBI in Saturday's spring game against Colorado.

Suarez made the Rockies pay for botching a potential inning-ending double-play. He launched a 2-0 fastball 444 feet into the seats in left field for his first Cactus League homer. Suarez is building off a strong second half of 2024, when he had a .974 OPS and 24 home runs from July forward, following a first-half slump that nearly cost him his starting job.

Workman went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in Friday's Cactus League game against the Rangers.

Workman is off to a strong start this spring, as he now has two home runs and six RBI in only 17 at-bats. The 25-year-old was selected in the Rule 5 draft from Detroit back in December and has a shot to make the Cubs' Opening Day roster, particularly if he continues to impress during the Cactus League slate. Workman has yet to appear above the Double-A level, however, so he may get returned to his original team if Chicago feels he's unready for the jump.

Alvarez said Saturday that his left wrist is feeling better and believes he can return to game action within the next couple of days, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Alvarez tweaked his wrist after striking out swinging during the first inning of Thursday's contest, but he doesn't seem to be dealing with anything serious. The 21-year-old infielder is battling for a spot on Atlatna's bench after slashing .297/.398/.463 with 42 RBI and 10 steals across 64 Triple-A games last season.

Machado has been scratched from Friday's spring training game against the Mariners due to back tightness, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The injury isn't considered serious, and Acee relays that Machado's removal from Friday's lineup is purely precautionary. It's possible that the 32-year-old Machado will be held out of the Padres' next couple of games to truly manage the injury. Eguy Rosario will take Machado's place at third base and bat eighth.