MLB Player News

Donaldson left Thursday's game against the Brewers with a tight right hamstring, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Injuries are unfortunately part of the package at this point in Donaldson's career, though the Twins were likely hoping he'd last longer than one inning before suffering his first ailment of the year. It's at least not a calf issue -- something that has plagued the veteran several times in recent seasons -- but his health history doesn't offer much cause for optimism. It's not yet clear when the Twins expect him to return to the lineup.

Donaldson left Thursday's game in the first inning after suffering an apparent leg injury, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Donaldson hit a double in his first at-bat, but limped while running to second base. He stayed in at second base to finish the half inning but did not come back out to the field at the bottom of the frame. Luis Arraez moved to third base to replace him with Jake Cave entering the game in left field. The precise nature of the issue is unclear, but it's concerning given his history of calf injuries.

Segura will start at second base and bat seventh Thursday against Atlanta, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Segura never hit lower than sixth in 2020, but he looks like he'll spend more time in a bottom-third spot in the lineup this season with the Phillies preparing Alec Bohm to bat in the heart of the order on a full-time basis. The lower assignment in the lineup shouldn't be too punitive for Segura, who should remain a solid source of batting average and stolen bases, though he doesn't run nearly as frequently as he did earlier in his career.

McMahon isn't starting Thursday's game against the Dodgers.

McMahon is expected to see plenty of playing time at second base with Brendan Rodgers (hamstring) sidelined to begin the year, but he'll take a seat on Opening Day with left-hander Clayton Kershaw on the mound for the Dodgers. Chris Owings will play second base Thursday, batting seventh.

Devers and the Red Sox won't play the Orioles on Thursday after their Opening Day game was postponed due to rain, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

The two teams are now scheduled to play their season opener Friday, which was initially set to be an off day for both sides.

Vargas cleared waivers Wednesday and was outrighted to Triple-A Iowa, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Vargas was designated for assignment by the Cubs after missing out on a spot on the team's Opening Day roster. However, Chicago hoped to keep him in the organization, and he'll report to the team's alternate camp in South Bend to begin the season. The 29-year-old appeared in 17 Cactus League games this spring and slashed .324/.343/.471 with one home run and five RBI.

Asche accepted a position Wednesday on the Phillies' player development staff, signaling the end of his playing career, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Asche will transition into his post-playing career with the Phillies' Low-A affiliate in Clearwater, where he'll serve as a hitting coach. The 30-year-old spent parts of five seasons in the big leagues with the Phillies and White Sox, accruing a .234/.293/.376 slash line and 32 home runs over 1,349 career plate appearances.

Sosa, who has secured a utility spot on the Opening Day roster, went 2-for-2 with a solo home run in a Grapefruit League tie with the Mets on Monday.

Sosa put together a positive finish to a quiet spring with his only multi-hit effort of Grapefruit League play as well as his only round-tripper of the exhibition slate. The 25-year-old hit just .200 (5-for-25) this spring, but his ability to cover multiple positions and his solid track minor-league track record at the plate likely helped him latch onto a roster spot to open the campaign.

Arenado, who hit a solo home run in his only plate appearance during a Grapefruit League tie with the Mets on Monday, finished spring hitting 4-for-8 with two doubles, the homer, a walk and two runs over his final three exhibitions.

Arenado's round tripper ensured the slugger didn't head into his first Cardinals campaign without going deep in spring play, and his overall body of work over the final three contests was encouraging, considering he was hitting just .184 prior to that stretch. Arenado has previously said he ideally needs at least 50 spring at-bats to get his timing down, and he finishes Grapefruit League play having slashed .239/.321/.370 over 53 plate appearances overall.

Hayes went 1-for-2 with his second home run of the spring Wednesday against Minnesota.

The 24-year-old closes out Grapefruit League action with a .431 batting average in 51 at-bats, including 10 extra-base hits, nine RBI and two stolen bases. Fantasy owners are expecting much from Hayes, who still retains his rookie status. He hit .376 in 85 at-bats last summer, thanks to a .450 BABIP. His minor-league career slash line of .279/.354/.399 seems like a more reasonable expectation for 2021.