MLB Player News

McMahon could continue to serve as the Rockies' primary third baseman in 2022, even after the team signed Kris Bryant to a seven-year, $182 million contract Wednesday, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports.

McMahon has had steady playing time across the last several seasons, and he performed well in 2021 while mainly playing at third base after the team traded Nolan Arenado to the Cardinals. McMahon appeared in 151 games last year and slashed .254/.331/.449 with 23 home runs, 86 RBI, 80 runs and six stolen bases. Given the 27-year-old's strong results and Bryant's ability to serve as a corner outfielder, McMahon will likely continue to serve as the team's primary third baseman while Bryant takes over in left field. With Bryant in line for a spot in the top half of the order, McMahon should also see increased run-producing opportunities while hitting near the middle of the lineup in 2022.

Moustakas will likely get the lion's share of playing time at third base for the Reds following the trade of Eugenio Suarez to the Mariners, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. "Obviously, Mike has earned that," Reds manager David Bell said. "We know what kind of player he is. You lose Geno - huge loss - and you have Mike Moustakas to kind of step right in. He was already factoring in there anyway."

Moustakas had three different injuries last season, missing 85 games. He'll no longer have to scramble to play out of position, though it's possible he'll still see some time at DH.

Anderson (shoulder) is willing to play left field this season, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

The addition of Joey Wendle to the Marlins lineup creates extra competition for Anderson at third base, but the 28-year-old says he's willing to give left field a try if necessary. "I'm always open to it," said Anderson. "I haven't done it [played outfield] in a couple of years. But the last couple of times that I did it, it helped me out and helped the team out. That's my job now, especially getting a guy like Wendle that can play multiple positions. We've got guys like [Jon] Berti, [Miguel Rojas] [and Jazz Chisholm Jr.] who play multiple positions. So I think we're just going to run the best lineup out there every single day. And if that means I'm in the outfield, then I'm in the outfield." Anderson last saw outfield action in 2019 when he played 55 games in right field, but he's never played left as a professional. Before he plays anywhere, however, he'll have to demonstrate his surgically repaired shoulder is back to 100 percent.

Kieboom will compete with Maikel Franco for the starting job at third base during spring training, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

The Nationals are hopeful that Kieboom will be able to serve as the Nationals' starting third baseman to begin the season, but manager Dave Martinez said Wednesday that the 24-year-old will need to earn the job. The 24-year-old appeared in 62 games for Washington last year and slashed .207/.301/.318 with six homers, 26 runs and 20 RBI.

Muncy (elbow) played first base in the Dodgers' simulated game Tuesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Muncy's health has been a major question mark since he injured his left elbow in last year's regular-season finale, but the recent news on that front has been encouraging. He's apparently 85 percent recovered from the injury and has been participating in workouts with the intention of being ready for Opening Day. While the introduction of the universal designated hitter should make it easier to keep him in the lineup early in the year if he's not yet at 100 percent, it looks as though he may not find himself limited to that role.

Madrigal (hamstring) will likely be one of several players that Chicago manager David Ross rotates into the designated hitter spot this season, Gordon Wittenmyer of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Madrigal was acquired by the Cubs at the trade deadline last summer but was already out for the year following surgery to repair proximal tendon tears in his right hamstring. He's expected to be ready for the start of the regular season, but the Cubs could still ease the 25-year-old back into action by using him as the DH from time to time. Willson Contreras, Ian Happ (elbow) and Clint Frazier were also identified as candidates to serve as the DH, as Ross seems intent on mixing and matching in the spot.

Wisdom (wrist) took live at-bats against teammate Justin Steele during the Cubs' team workout Monday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

The activity is evidence that Wisdom is good to go for the start of the 2022 campaign after he missed the final week of the 2021 season with a sore right wrist. Before the injury cropped up, the 30-year-old was one of the pleasant surprises in a non-contending season for the Cubs, as he paced the team with 28 home runs while driving in 61, scoring 54 times and chipping in four steals. However, a low walk rate (8.6 percent) and a bloated 40.9 percent strikeout rate made him less valuable from a real-life standpoint. Though the big power production he supplied in 2021 locks him into an everyday role heading into Opening Day, Wisdom may need to pare down his strikeouts to ensure he maintains a regular lineup spot for the balance of the season.

Astudillo signed a minor-league contract with the Marlins on Sunday, Craig Mish of SportsGrid.com reports.

Astudillo appeared in a career-high 73 games with the Twins in 2021 and hit .236 with seven home runs, 21 RBI and 17 runs. He's made appearances in the majors in each of the last four seasons and will presumably compete for a roster spot during big-league spring training in 2022.

Farmer enters camp as the Reds' starting shortstop, but Jose Barrero can "force the issue," according to manager David Bell, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Farmer, who played through a sports hernia injury over the second half of last season, was worth 1.6 fWAR in 147 games, largely due to his strong defense. He hit .263/.316/.416 on the year, good for a career-best 91 wRC+. Given the direction of the franchise, the Reds will likely turn to the younger Barrero at some point, if not right out of the gate, unless Farmer tops his 2021 production.

Vargas is attending big-league spring training as a non-roster invitee, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Vargas signed with the Cubs on a minor-league contract back in December after appearing in 15 games with the team over the past two seasons. Chicago added Andrelton Simmons on Friday to cover shortstop, and Nico Hoerner, Nick Madrigal, David Bote and Sergio Alcantara may all see time in the middle infield this year. Vargas provides some veteran organizational depth and offers little fantasy upside in 2022.