MLB Player News

Wisdom (quadriceps) is in the Cubs' lineup for Saturday's spring training game against the Rockies.

Wisdom has been held out since Feb. 27 due to tightness in his right quad, but he felt good after participating in a sim game Tuesday and has been given the green light to return to the Cactus League. Wisdom was just 1-for-8 across three games before getting injured, and he figures to operate as a reserve player for the Cubs heading into the regular season.

Marte was suspended 80 games by Major League Baseball on Friday for violating the joint drug prevention and treatment program, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Marte tested positive for the performance-enhancing drug Boldenone and now will be ineligible to play until well into June. The 22-year-old had been the favorite to be the Reds' Opening Day third baseman after slashing .316/.366/.456 in 35 contests for Cincinnati in 2023. Jeimer Candelario now figures to see most of his playing time at third base, while Christian Encarnacion-Strand should settle into more at-bats at first base. The Reds could also opt to use Spencer Steer more often on the infield.

Busch went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Thursday's Cactus League game against the Reds.

Busch took Cincinnati fireballer Hunter Greene deep for his first home run of the spring. The 26-year-old projects to be Chicago's primary option at first base heading into the regular season. Busch has some upside and looked great in the minors last year, though he's yet to get extended run in the majors, so there may be some growing pains as he settles in with the Cubs.

Chapman is starting at third base and batting fifth for the Giants on Thursday against the Dodgers in his Cactus League debut, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Chapman officially signed on with the Giants on Sunday and will make his debut with the team four days later. Left-hander James Paxton is starting for the Dodgers and the five spot could be where Chapman resides versus southpaws during the regular season, as well. He might slide down a spot or two against righties.

Madrigal was diagnosed with a mild right hamstring strain Thursday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Madrigal will be re-evaluated in a week, at which point the team will have a better idea of when Madrigal will be able to return to game action. The 27-year-old infielder landed on the injured list twice last season due to problems with his hamstring, and Madrigal's most recent tweak indicates that it may remain a recurring problem this year as well.

Monasterio went 1-for-3 with an RBI single in Wednesday's 2-0 win over Cincinnati.

The 26-year-old has impressed in the spring thus far, hitting .364 with a .728 OPS over 11 at-bats. It's hard to imagine the utility infielder pushing out promising prospect Brice Turang or stalwart shortstop Willy Adames, but it's possible Monasterio could initially start at third base over Joey Ortiz, who was acquired in the beginning of February as part of the Corbin Burnes trade to Baltimore. Monasterio played in 92 games for the Brewers last season and had a .259/.330/.348 slash line in 315 plate appearances.

Madrigal underwent a precautionary MRI on his right hamstring Tuesday, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Madrigal exited Monday's game versus the Padres with what was deemed a leg cramp, but the Cubs have now specified that he's dealing with a hamstring-related concern. The Cubs are optimistic the injury isn't serious but wanted to put Madrigal through imaging just to be safe, particularly with his history of leg problems. Madrigal is competing for starts at the hot corner for the Cubs.

Suarez started at third base and went 1-for-1 with a walk, a home run, three RBI and an additional run scored in Tuesday's spring game against the Padres.

Suarez missed a week of action while dealing with a side injury. This was his fourth Cactus League game and first home run of the spring.

Wisdom (quadricep) took at-bats in a simulated game Tuesday and is building back up to being ready for game action, MLB.com reports.

Wisdom has played in only three Cactus League games, and there's no clear timetable for his return, but this is still promising news. The veteran seems like he should be healthy by the start of the regular season, though he'll likely have to settle for a reserve role due to the Cubs adding some corner infield depth in the offseason and Christopher Morel pushing for more playing time as well.

Suarez (side) is starting at third base and batting fifth for the Diamondbacks on Tuesday versus the Padres in his return to the lineup, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Suarez hasn't played in nearly a week after developing some side tightness, but he's now feeling well enough to give it a go. The veteran third baseman was acquired via trade from the Mariners earlier this offseason after slashing .232/.323/.391 with 22 home runs and 96 RBI in 2023.