MLB Player News

Hayes signed an eight-year, $70 million contract extension with the Pirates on Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Hayes showed promise with the Pirates while appearing in 96 major-league games last year, hitting .257 with six homers, 49 runs, 38 RBI and nine steals. He's a key player for the rebuilding Pittsburgh club and will be rewarded with a long-term deal that includes a team option for a ninth season. The 25-year-old dealt with a minor ankle sprain late in camp but is healthy to begin the 2022 campaign.

Vosler was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Vosler appeared in 11 Cactus League games this spring and hit .143 with two doubles, two runs, two RBI and one stolen base. Even though the Giants are dealing with several injuries to their infielders early in the season, the 28-year-old will begin the year in the minors.

Longoria (finger) was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

A trip to the injured list was always expected after Longoria underwent surgery to repair a ligament in his right index finger in mid-March. The fact that he was placed on the 10-day IL rather than the 60-day IL indicates the Giants think he can return before early June, which matches up with the initial six-week timetable he was given at the time of the surgery.

Hayes (ankle) is starting Thursday's game against the Cardinals, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Hayes didn't appear in any spring games after March 25 due to a minor ankle sprain, but he'll start at the hot corner and bat third during Thursday's Opening Day matchup. The 25-year-old appeared in 96 games for Pittsburgh last year and hit .257 with six homers, 49 runs, 38 RBI and nine stolen bases.

Maton was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday.

Maton hit .256/.323/.385 in 52 games as a rookie last year and should be a serviceable utility infielder if the Phillies need to call on him at some point this season. He doesn't have a spot to fill right now, however, with the Phillies electing to have both Bryson Stott and Alec Bohm on their Opening Day roster.

Hayes (ankle) is expected to be in the Pirates' Opening Day lineup Thursday against the Cardinals, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Hayes suffered a minor sprained ankle in late March and hasn't appeared in a game since March 25. He's since been spotted taking batting practice and participating in defensive drills, and team trainer Todd Tomczyk told Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com on Monday that Hayes was able to do some running on the field. Hayes will likely go through another workout Wednesday before the Pirates formally decide if he'll be part of the Opening Day lineup, but even if he ends up sitting Thursday, a stint on the injured list doesn't look to be in the cards.

Sosa has lost the battle for the Cardinals' starting shortstop job to Paul DeJong, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Sosa moved ahead of DeJong on the depth chart last season, hitting .271/.346/.389 while his teammate struggled to a .197/.284/.390 line. DeJong was given the chance to win his old job back this spring, however, and he was able to do so. Expect Sosa's at-bats to be limited early in the year as a result, though he could certainly reclaim the role if DeJong stumbles out of the gate.

Madrigal (leg) went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Monday's Cactus League game against the White Sox.

Madrigal missed Cactus League games Friday and Saturday due to leg fatigue. He appeared in an intrasquad scrimmage Sunday, and it was good to see him return to regular action Monday and hit his first home run this spring. The 25-year-old has a strong .921 OPS in Cactus League play and should be ready for a good year after missing a significant chunk of the 2021 season due to proximal tendon tears in his right hamstring. The Cubs will likely limit his playing time in the early going, however, as he makes his way back following surgery.

Vargas was reassigned to minor-league camp Monday.

Vargas slashed .323/.364/.548 with two homers, a double, six RBI and three runs this spring, but he was unable to land a utility role on the major-league roster to begin the year. If the Cubs' position players deal with injuries during the 2022 campaign, Vargas' defensive versatility makes him a prime candidate to be called up.

Madrigal (leg) was spotted playing second game during an intrasquad scrimmage at big-league camp Sunday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Madrigal remains out of the Cubs' Cactus League lineup Sunday for the fourth day in a row, but his ability to play his normal defensive position in an intrasquad game implies that his recent bout with leg fatigue isn't anything to worry about as Opening Day approaches. The 25-year-old is expected to be a fixture in the Cubs' everyday lineup against both left- and right-handed pitching, likely hitting out of the bottom half of the order.