MLB Player News

Bregman (hamstring) will start at third base and bat third Tuesday in the Astros' Grapefruit League game against the Mets, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Bregman will check into the lineup for the first time this spring after his debut was delayed by the sore left hamstring that he experienced shortly upon reporting to camp. According to Rome, manager Dusty Baker said that he expects Bregman to pick up two or three at-bats across four or five innings before bowing out of Tuesday's contest. If Bregman's hamstring responds well to game action, Baker indicated that the third baseman could be back in the lineup Wednesday against the Cardinals, too.

Moustakas will start at third base for Tuesday's spring training game against the Rockies, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports. This is being done in conjunction with moving Eugenio Suarez over to shortstop.

This would move Moustakas back to his original and presumably better defensive position, while giving a chance to Jonathan India to play at second base, giving the Reds an alternative to Kyle Farmer or Dee Strange-Gordon at shortstop. Giving Moustakas a third position of eligibility in-season along with first base and second base would also come in handy.

Suarez will start Tuesday's spring training game at shortstop, with Mike Moustakas moving over to third base, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports. "We have to see what it looks like, we're not making any decisions now, we have a lot of options, we have guys willing to do what's best for our team and have bought in to whatever it takes," manager David Bell said. "That's making this look at Geno at shortstop possible."

This would address two items -- how to improve the Reds lineup at shortstop while allowing Jonathan India to play second base. Suarez originally broke in as a shortstop, but he hasn't played in a game there since 2018 and has only six games at shortstop since 2016.

Riley has cleared all COVID-19-related protocols and is scheduled to rejoin Atlanta's Grapefruit League lineup Wednesday against the Orioles, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Manager Brian Snitker said earlier Monday that Riley would likely be away from the team for a few days, but the skipper wouldn't go into specifics about why the 24-year-old was going to miss time. As suspected, O'Brien's report confirms that Riley's absence was related to COVID-19 protocols, but he apparently won't be forced to quarantine even while he remains out of the lineup for the next two days. Riley took batting practice with the team prior to Monday's game against the Twins, so he should be ready to play Wednesday when eligible to do so.

Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said Monday that Riley would be away from the team for at least a couple days due to an unspecified reason, 680 The Fan Atlanta reports. "I had him in [the Grapefruit League lineup] 'til [Monday]. Due to an unforeseen circumstance that I really can't talk about, he's not going to be able to go," Snitker said of Riley.

Snitker's comments suggest that Riley's absence is likely related to COVID-19 protocols, though it doesn't necessarily mean that the 23-year-old has tested positive for the virus. In any case, Riley looks like he'll be away from the team until at least the middle of the week, but assuming his absence doesn't last too beyond that, his availability for the start of the season shouldn't be in much peril. Riley is projected to serve as the Atlanta's everyday third baseman in 2021.

Bregman (hamstring) will play in Tuesday's exhibition game against the Mets, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Bregman has had to wait a while to see his first action of the spring, but he will only have to wait one day longer at this point. Despite the lack of at-bats up to this point, the two weeks remaining in spring training should give him ample time to get ready for Opening Day.

Madrigal has not played in a game since making his spring debut last Monday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Madrigal, who underwent offseason shoulder surgery, has experienced residual soreness in his left shoulder after that first appearance. White Sox manager Tony La Russa said Madrigal could return to game action as early as Tuesday and as late as Thursday.

Newman (hamstring) served as the team's designated hitter and went 0-for-2 with a walk Sunday against the Phillies.

While he didn't play in the field, Newman saw his first action in a week. He made it through the game without re-injuring himself and figures to see time at shortstop in the coming days.

Longoria (foot) is batting fifth as the designated hitter in Sunday's Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The 35-year-old has been battling plantar fasciitis throughout the early stages of camp and has been operating as a designated hitter for the past week. It's unclear when Longoria is expected to play the field, but there has yet to be much concern expressed about the injury.

Astudillo 1-for-3 with a home run in Saturday's spring training win over Tampa Bay. He's hitting .417 (5-for-12) this spring.

Astudillo is competing for a utility role in which he can serve as a third catcher and also play third base, second base and left field. Despite his hot start to the spring, it's not clear if the Twins will need a third catcher, and the team may prefer other utility options that provide better infield defense.