MLB Player News

With Freddy Galvis fighting shoulder and quadriceps injuries, Farmer has been getting extra game reps at shortstop and has been giving the Reds more confidence in his ability to play the position, John Fay of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The Reds don't have a true backup shortstop, so every game that Farmer gets there is pretty important to the Reds, especially because Galvis isn't the most stable starter at the position to begin with.

Sosa, who hit his second home run of spring in a Grapefruit League win over the Astros on Saturday after entering the game as a pinch runner, has a better chance at an Opening Day roster spot now that Yairo Munoz (hamstring) has been placed on unconditional release waivers, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Munoz abruptly left the Cardinals and headed back to his home in the Dominican Republic without informing team officials, leading to the move. Munoz's departure is certainly to Sosa's potential benefit, especially since the latter impressed in winter ball and has already made an impact this spring. Sosa is capable of playing both shortstop and third base, and he thrived at the highest levels of the minors last season by slashing .291/.335/.466 with 40 extra-base hits (18 doubles, five triples, 17 home runs) and 62 RBI across 118 games with Triple-A Memphis.

Davis (shoulder) will start in left field Sunday against Houston, Justin Toscano of The Bergen Record reports.

Davis' availability for Opening Day appeared to be potentially at risk when he jammed his shoulder in late February, but he's steadily made progress in recent days and will now return to game action. With over two weeks left before the start of the regular season, he should have plenty of time to get up to speed despite the delay.

Riley went 1-for-2 with a solo home run and a walk in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox.

He crushed an Eduardo Rodriguez offering over the left-field wall in the fourth inning for his second homer of the spring. Riley is making a strong case for a roster spot so far, slashing .333/.364/.667 through 22 plate appearances with a reasonable 1:4 BB:K, but the 22-year-old will need to convince the coaching staff he's a better option at third base than Johan Camargo if he wants to avoid being sent back to Triple-A Gwinnett to begin the season.

Segura (illness) is in the lineup for Saturday's spring game against the Red Sox.

Segura missed the last couple days as a result of his illness, but he is ready to get back on the field. He'll man the hot corner and hit second Saturday.

Davis (shoulder) took at-bats in a simulated game against Jacob deGrom on Friday, David Lennon of Newsday reports.

Davis is working his way back from a jammed left shoulder he suffered late in February. He's optimistic about his readiness for Opening Day, and the fact that he's participating in a simulated game with nearly three weeks left before the start of the regular season would seem to support that optimism.

Suarez (shoulder) took swings in the batting cage Friday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The 28-year-old continues to progress in his recovery from the right shoulder surgery he underwent in late January. Suarez doesn't have an official timeline for his spring debut, but the Reds still hope he'll be ready in time for Opening Day.

Anderson has consistently hit second in the Marlins' early spring contests, a likely indication of the regular-season batting order, Jordan McPherson of The Miami Herald reports.

Jonathan Villar has been in the leadoff spot, with Corey Dickerson and Jesus Aguilar slotting in behind Anderson. The 26-year-old posted career highs with 20 homers, 66 RBI and an .810 OPS last season, and he could be poised for even better numbers if he maintains a premium spot in the batting order.

Moncada and the White Sox agreed to a five-year $70 million contract extension Thursday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

The 24-year-old's new deal includes a sixth year club option worth $25 million. The contract would potentially buy out two free-agent years and if his player option is exercised, Moncada will hit the open market after his age 30 season, according to Rosenthal. The switch-hitting third baseman will look to improve upon a 2019 campaign in which he hit .315/.367/.548 with 25 home runs, 83 runs scored and 79 RBI throughout 132 games.

Urias is out Thursday with shin splints, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Recently claimed off waivers by the Orioles after he was designated for assignment by the Cardinals, Urias is the older brother of Brewers shortstop Luis Urias. He has a legitimate shot of seeing time in the majors this year on a rebuilding club, but it is unclear when he will be ready to make his Grapefruit League debut.