MLB Player News

Senzel (shoulder) will serve as the designated hitter Thursday against the Brewers, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. In a separate column, Sheldon reported that Senzel's defensive drills have only been in center field, lessening the likelihood that he sees any time in the infield early on this season.

Senzel is on track to make his Cactus League debut Thursday after being slowed early in camp while recovering from September shoulder surgery. While this is an encouraging sign for Senzel, his availability for Opening Day will likely hinge on how he progresses in his throwing program over the next few weeks. It's worth noting that the 24-year-old is optimistic he'll be ready to go for the start of the season after throwing on back-to-back days for the first time this spring. "I have a good feeling that I should be ready to go for Opening Day," Senzel said Monday.

Riley will most likely be sent back to Triple-A Gwinnett if he doesn't win the starting third base job this spring, Gabriel Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

While Riley and Johan Camargo, his competition for the starting spot, each have experience playing other positions, the organization would rather see both get consistent playing time rather than hurting their development in a bench role. "I don't know that realistically, can you get both guys (ample playing time)? No, I don't know that you can do (them) justice. If you're not playing every day, you're not going to do justice with things. You talk about it, it sounds good, but in reality, it's not that easy to do," Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said Sunday. Camargo is currently considered the favorite to win the big-league job.

Kieboom committed an error at third base in Saturday's Grapefruit League game, then went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts Sunday, Sam Fortier of The Washington Post reports.

The Nats' top prospect is being given every chance to win the starting job at the hot corner this spring, but so far he's struggling both in the field and at the plate, where he's hitting only .083 (1-for-12), albeit with six walks in 22 plate appearances. "He might be pressing just a little bit," manager Dave Martinez said. "I tried telling him: 'Go up there and have fun. Be aggressive.' " If Kieboom isn't able to turn things around over the next couple weeks, Washington has plenty of veteran infield depth available if it decides he needs more seasoning at Triple-A to begin the season.

Davis could soon resume baseball activities as the inflammation in his shoulder subsides, Mike Puma of The New York Post reports. "Every day better news with him," manager Luis Rojas said Saturday.

The 26-year-old has been shut down since Tuesday after jamming his shoulder diving for a groundball at third base. Davis still figures to be 100 percent by Opening Day, but the Mets have little reason to rush him with more than three weeks left until the regular season begins.

Suarez (shoulder) swung with both arms off a tee Friday for the first time since late-January surgery to remove loose cartilage in his right shoulder, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

He continues to take small steps in his recovery, throwing lightly Thursday and then progressing to swings. Suarez says his arm and shoulder feel OK and that he is feeling better every day as he tries to get more comfortable but added that he is not close to 100 percent yet. He says taking swings feels better than throwing. The goal remains for him to be ready for Opening Day, but that is not a certainty.

Escobar went 1-for-2 with two RBI in Friday's spring game against the Mariners.

Escobar slotted into the third spot in the batting order while starting at third base. He may also qualify as a second baseman after playing 32 games there in 2019, but Ketel Marte is expected to see more action at second in 2020. That is the domino effect of adding Startling Marte, who will start in center field, allowing Ketel Marte to return to his natural spot at second.

Riley is the underdog in the third base competition with Johan Camargo, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Camargo hit a home run off Yankees prospect Deivi Garcia in Friday's game, while Riley is 2-for-10 with just one strikeout. Riley has a much higher offensive ceiling, so the Braves wouldn't be opposed to him winning the job with a great spring training performance, but it sounds like it is Camargo's job to lose, at least in Bowman's estimation.

Moustakas left camp Friday because his wife is about to give birth, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Moustakas will presumably miss a few games to be with his wife and newborn child, but his preparation for the upcoming season shouldn't be significantly impacted. He lines up as the Reds' starting second baseman this season, though he could return to his typical position of third base if Eugenio Suarez isn't recovered from his shoulder injury by Opening Day.

Manager Bud Black expects McMahon to play over 150 games for the Rockies this season, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports. "He's walking around with a sense of knowing that he belongs, that he's a big leaguer and going to be a productive big leaguer, and I love that confidence," said Black.

McMahon figures to get the bulk of his starts at second base, but he can also handle third base and first base when needed. He said that he lost 16 pounds during the 2019 season, as the 162-game schedule took its toll. With that in mind, he began his workouts earlier this winter in an effort to be better prepared for the six-month grind. McMahon had elite exit velocity/hard hit data according to Statcast and has a significant room for improvement over the .250/.329/.450 slash line he posted in his first full big-league season.

Suarez (shoulder) was cleared to resume light throwing Thursday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Suarez isn't yet taking full swings during spring training, but his ability to start throwing again represents another step forward in his recovery from late-January shoulder surgery. The Reds remain hopeful that Suarez will be ready to go for Opening Day, but he could be in store for a brief stint on the injured list to begin the season if he's unable to make it back in action before the Cactus League schedule ends. Suarez is probably at least two weeks away from appearing in spring games.