MLB Player News

Senzel (toe) started Thursday's spring training game at third base and played three innings, going 0-for-1.

Senzel will begin the season on the IL, but when he's eventually activated it doesn't appear he'll be stepping into the starting lineup. Instead he'll be a utility player, getting time in center field, third and second. Third base is where he actually played in college, though he's always been blocked there at the big-league level.

Sosa is likely to be needed more at third base with Rhys Hoskins (knee) possibly facing a lengthy IL stay, Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Sosa had been slated for a super-utility role, but the Phillies might have to regularly play Alec Bohm at first base to account for the loss of Hoskins, who went down with an ugly-looking left knee injury Thursday in camp. Sosa has played all around the diamond defensively this spring while delivering a stellar .457/.558/.857 batting line with four home runs and two stolen bases through 43 plate appearances. That kind of power can't be counted on in the regular season, but he does have great speed.

Senzel (toe) will make his Cactus League debut Wednesday against the Padres, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Senzel isn't starting the game but will come in off the bench as the Reds ease him into action. The outfielder has been brought along slowly this spring following a pair of surgeries on a fractured toe. He'll remain in extended spring training while the Reds head north before eventually starting a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville. Senzel is expected to play center field, third base and possibly some second base while on his rehab assignment.

Senzel (toe) is listed as a reserve on the Reds' roster for Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Padres, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The Reds haven't confirmed that Senzel will definitely play in the game, but he does appear poised to make his Cactus League debut. Senzel has been slow-played this spring while working his way back from a couple surgeries on his fractured toe and seemingly hasn't progressed as quickly as hoped. However, he's game-ready now, and while he'll begin the season on the injured list, a return at some point in April looks likely.

Escobar has gone just 2-for-20 at the plate this spring with zero extra-base hits.

The veteran is still penciled in as the Mets' starting third baseman to begin the season, but Escobar hasn't done much in camp to suggest he's going to rebound significantly from the tepid .240/.295/.430 slash line he posted in 2022. If he has another sluggish start at the plate, the door could open for Brett Baty to take the job at the hot corner early in the season.

Monasterio was reassigned Tuesday to the minor-league side of Brewers camp, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Monasterio was batting just .130/.286/.261 through 28 plate appearances this spring in Cactus League play. The 25-year-old infielder has yet to make his MLB debut.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Tuesday that he believes Sosa can play center field, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Sosa has logged two starts in center over the last three days, and it sounds like the Phillies want to continue running him out there as a potential right-handed-hitting complement to the left-handed-hitting Brandon Marsh. Sosa can also play all around the infield and is set up to function as a highly-active super-utilityman this year for the reigning NL champs.

Groshans (shoulder) took batting practice Tuesday morning in Marlins camp, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

It's another step in the right direction for Groshans, who banged up his left shoulder earlier this month in a Grapefruit League game. The 23-year-old will seemingly be ready for the beginning of the season at Triple-A Jacksonville.

Davis is hitting .333 with four extra-base hits over 12 Cactus League games.

Davis has also struck out 12 times, but he's making enough contact to look ready for the 2023 season. The 29-year-old is expected to back up David Villar at third base, and Davis could also see time at first base and designated hitter. As a right-handed hitter, he may have to settle for a short-side platoon role if his bat goes cold once the games start counting. He's still hit well enough to make it a tough decision on a daily basis for manager Gabe Kapler to fill out his lineup card.

Mark DeRosa said after Sunday's World Baseball Classic win over Cuba that Arenado (hand) is believed to be fine, Marly Rivera of ESPN.com reports.

Arenado was removed from Sunday's matchup after being hit by a pitch on his right hand, but he underwent X-rays that came back negative. DeRosa said Arenado would have argued to stay in the game if the game was closer, but the third baseman was removed since Team USA held a 9-2 lead at the time of his departure. Given the encouraging update, it seems possible that Arenado will be available for the World Baseball Classic championship Tuesday.