MLB Player News

Manager Kevin Cash confirmed that Duffy (hamstring) would run again Monday, Steve Carney of Sports Radio 620 WDAE reports.

After experiencing no complications while fielding and taking batting practice Sunday, Duffy will get the green light to resume his running program. The third baseman noted that he ran at about 80 percent intensity Saturday and predicted that he would run close to 90 percent Monday, which Cash hopes will provide insight into whether Duffy will be ready to go for Opening Day. Cash previously said that Duffy won't necessarily need to return to action before the end of the Grapefruit League slate to confirm his availability for the start of the season.

General manager Neal Huntington said Monday that Newman will open the season as a reserve middle infielder after Erik Gonzalez was named the team's starting shortstop, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

According to Adam Berry of MLB.com, Huntington cited Gonzalez's superior defense as the main reason the 27-year-old won out over Newman in the job battle. It's also possible that Pittsburgh chooses Pablo Reyes as a super-utility man, relegating Newman to Triple-A Indianapolis to begin the campaign. A 2015 first-round pick, Newman reached the big leagues for the first time last season but failed to make much of an impact in 97 plate appearances, slashing a middling .209/.247/.231. Newman has shown the ability to hit for average and steal bases at a decent clip in the minors, but his dearth of power and a lack of high-end speed will make it a challenge for him to contribute meaningful counting-stats production if he eventually claims a full-time role with Pittsburgh.

Chapman went 3-for-3 and reached base five times in a 5-1 exhibition victory over the Nippon-Ham Fighters on Sunady in Tokyo, Japan, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

Chapman has already been swinging a hot bat in Cactus League play, so Sunday's outburst was simply an extension. The elite defender will once again man the hot corner for the Athletics in the coming season while looking to build on his breakout 2018 campaign at the plate.

Duffy (hamstring) took ground balls Sunday, and manager Kevin Cash reported the session went well, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Duffy had a productive weekend, as he'd also ran at 80 percent intensity Saturday. The oft-injured infielder clearly emerged from that activity without setbacks, considering he was able to return to the field for Sunday's workout without limitations. Cash mentioned the team will continue to be cautious with Duffy's game action, but he confirmed the 28-year-old will try running at 90 percent Monday as the next step in his rehab.

Muncy (forearm) took part in a full round of batting practice Sunday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Muncy has missed the last four games due to the forearm soreness but doesn't appear too far away from a return to game action. The 28-year-old also took part in some defensive work this weekend but remains without an official timeline for his return.

Muncy (forearm) is not in the lineup for Sunday's Cactus League game against the Brewers, Eric Stephen of TrueBlueLA.com reports.

Muncy is still nursing a sore forearm and will miss a fourth straight game as a result. The infielder was able to field grounders over the weekend, though he remains without a timetable for his return.

Alvarez went 2-for-2 with two home runs, three runs scored and five RBI in Saturday's spring game against the Mets.

Alvarez had only two extra-base hits this spring prior to Saturday, but was able to go deep twice after entering the game as a pinch runner. The 32-year-old joined the Marlins on a minor-league deal in December and is fighting for a place on the Opening Day roster.

Muncy (forearm) is out of the Dodgers' lineup for Saturday's Cactus League game against the White Sox, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Muncy will be sidelined for the third straight day while he continues to recover from a sore forearm. The corner infielder was at least able to field grounders Friday, but until he's able to throw without any discomfort, he could be limited to designated-hitter duties in any spring games he might play.

Donaldson went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins.

He took Wei-Yin Chen deep in the third inning for his first home run of the spring. Donaldson has been brought along slowly in camp on the heels of a rough season that was ruined by injuries, but if the 33-year-old stays reasonably healthy, he could still make an impact -- he hit .270 with 33 home runs in 113 games as recently as 2017.

Duffy (hamstring) said he ran on the field at approximately 80 percent speed Saturday and felt good during the workout, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Unless Duffy reports renewed discomfort with his hamstring, he'll take live batting practice and field some grounders Sunday before resuming running at around 90 percent Monday. The 28-year-old appears to be trending toward a return to the Grapefruit League lineup at some point next week, which would keep hope alive for him to avoid a stint on the injured list to begin the season.