MLB Player News

Moustakas (calf) agreed Sunday to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Moustakas was released by the Reds shortly after being designated for assignment in January. The infielder has dealt with injuries the last few years, including a calf injury that caused him to miss the final six weeks of the 2022 campaign. He wasn't particularly effective when healthy last season as seen in a .214/.295/.345 slash line in 78 appearances. Moustakas will get a chance to win a spot on Colorado's bench to open the 2023 campaign, and a potentially season-ending injury to Brendan Rodgers (shoulder) might even give him a path to semi-regular playing time at third base.

Castro is in competition to start at second base along with Ji Hwan Bae and Tucupita Marcano, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Castro had an inconsistent season with the Pirates in 2022 -- he spent a large portion of the season in the minors -- but he posted a .788 OPS with 10 home runs across 200 plate appearances in the second half of the campaign. Through four games in spring training, Castro hasn't helped his cause by collecting only one hit and striking out five times in 13 plate appearances.

Groshans has been getting regular work at first base during Grapefruit League games to begin spring training, improving his odds of breaking camp on the 26-man roster, Jordan McPherson of The Miami Herald reports.

The Marlins don't have an established backup to Garrett Cooper at first base, so if Groshans shows he can handle the position, he could work his way into a bench role to begin the season. The 23-year-old's prospect status has dimmed the last couple of years as his projected power has never materialized, but after being acquired from the Blue Jays at the trade deadline last year, he batted a solid .262 through his first 17 big-league games. Groshans came up through Toronto's system as a shortstop, and he could wind up filling a multi-position utility role in Miami.

Madrigal likely won't have an everyday role in 2023, though he could hit leadoff when he does play, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Madrigal's path to an everyday role has become clouded with Dansby Swanson now in the fold and Nico Hoerner still around, though Madrigal should still rotate in at several positions. Chicago manager David Ross may choose to use Madrigal in the leadoff role from time to time, which would boost his fantasy value when he does find his way onto the lineup card.

McMahon is expected to move to second base for the Rockies in the wake of the Brendan Rodgers (shoulder) injury, general manager Bill Schmidt told Joel Sherman of the New York Post on Friday.

There's no official word yet on whether Rodgers will need season-ending surgery to repair his left shoulder, but things appear to be trending in that direction. As a result, McMahon will shift to second base, a position at which he has plenty of experience. Regaining eligibility at another relatively weak fantasy position is a boon to his value. Schmidt added that the team would look at Nolan Jones and Elehuris Montero at third base with McMahon on the move. Kris Bryant is expected to still see the bulk of his time in the outfield.

Senzel (toe) will do some hitting in a simulated game Friday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

It's a big step for Senzel as he attempts to distance himself from offseason toe surgery. The hope is that the outfielder will be ready to play in Cactus League games by mid-March. It would be a tight window to get ready for Opening Day, but that remains the goal.

McMahon is starting at second base and batting fifth for the Rockies on Friday in their Cactus League game versus the Giants, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

It's possible McMahon will move over to second base full time in 2023 with Brendan Rodgers (shoulder) potentially out for the season. The Rockies don't seem set on a plan yet though, or perhaps they're just waiting for official word on Rodgers before revealing anything. If McMahon does slide over to the keystone, Elehuris Montero and Nolan Jones could get a look at third base, with Kris Bryant moving back to the dirt also a possibility. If McMahon stays at third, Alan Trejo and Harold Castro would represent options at second.

Kieboom (elbow) is making his Grapefruit League debut Thursday versus the Marlins, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Kieboom will bat ninth as the designated hitter Thursday, and it sounds like he won't play the field at all during Grapefruit League play but will get some work in at third base in simulated games as a means to protect his surgically-repaired right elbow. He's been throwing every other day as the Nationals ease him into things. Kieboom appears to be an obvious candidate to begin the season on the injured list.

Baty committed his second error of the spring in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins.

The 23-year-old came into camp with a real chance to win the starting third base job over veteran Eduardo Escobar, but erratic defense would likely give Baty a quick ticket back to Triple-A Syracuse to begin the season. His bat appears to be big-league ready after he slashed .315/.410/.533 through 95 games between Double-A and Triple-A last year with 19 homers.

Cubs manager David Ross said Wednesday that Wisdom is day-to-day with left groin soreness, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports. "He feels like if the season was starting he would be playing in a game, but I don't want to push anything right now," Ross said of Wisdom.

Ross said that because it's early in the spring season, the team will take a cautious approach with Wisdom. The 31-year-old corner infielder still seems likely to be ready for the start of the regular season, barring a setback.