MLB Player News

Valencia has signed a minor-league deal with Baltimore, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Valencia hit .256/.314/.411 in 130 games for the Mariners last season, unremarkable numbers for a player who played primarily as a first baseman. The 33-year-old can play all four corner positions and could win a role as a bench bat for the Orioles, though his fantasy value is likely to be limited unless an injury opens up unexpected playing time.

Plouffe (left intercostal) is making progress and could play Friday, Dave Sessions of MLB.com reports.

Plouffe was signed to a minor-league deal after a rough 2017 when he posted a .590 OPS over 100 games with Tampa Bay and Oakland. The 31-year-old infielder has fallen off pretty drastically since he hit 22 home runs and knocked in 86 runs for the Twins in 2015. At best, he hooks on as a reserve infielder with Texas.

Manager Bob Melvin said Chapman (hand) is expected to take batting practice Saturday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Chapman was able to resume swinging Thursday for the first time since injuring his right hand earlier in camp. The 24-year-old hit soft toss while also hitting off a tee, and apparently everything went off without a hitch. If Saturday's batting practice session goes as planned, Chapman could make his Cactus League debut shortly thereafter.

Vargas (hand) has appeared in six Cactus League games for the Diamondbacks this spring after undergoing right hamate bone surgery in October.

Vargas was expected to be healthy by the time spring camp rolled around, and he's been given a shot to show his potential in front of the organization after appearing in 12 big-league games last season. In 11 at-bats thus far, Vargas has picked up two hits and one RBI while adding three walks and should continue to receive more reps throughout the spring.

Manager Kevin Cash said that Duffy (back) could be cleared to resume working out Friday, Steve Carney of Sports Radio 620 WDAE reports.

Duffy was scratched from the Rays' Grapefruit League lineup Tuesday against the Orioles due to what was later revealed as a back spasm, but it doesn't sound like the team is concerned it will morph into a long-term issue for the infielder. After resting Wednesday and Thursday, Duffy will see how he feels Friday before the Rays determine whether he needs an additional day or two to recuperate or if he's able to get back on the field. Duffy is expected to open the regular season as the Rays' primary option at third base.

Newman has played spring games at second base in addition to seeing time at shortstop, Rob Biertempfel of the Athletic reports. "It's adding versatility," manager Clint Hurdle said of putting Newman at second. "It's giving him options if something happens where he's not just a shortstop."

Although he hasn't played a position other than shortstop since high school, he made a fine diving play at second base Wednesday. Newman slashed a middling .267/.311/.363 in 509 minor-league at-bats in 2017, but he's hit .283 overall in the minors. While the 2015 first-round draft pick likely won't hit for power (11 homers in three seasons), he could eventually help fantasy teams in the batting average category.

Burger will undergo season-ending surgery Thursday to repair a ruptured left Achilles' tendon, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The White Sox announced the diagnosis Tuesday after Burger suffered the injury while running out a grounder a day earlier in a Cactus League game against the Athletics. The 11th overall pick in last June's first-year player draft, Burger was likely looking at a deployment at Low-A Kannapolis or High-A Winston-Salem to begin the campaign, but the serious injury represents a dramatic setback to his developmental timeline.

Davis is in the mix for playing time at first base while Yulieski Gurriel (hand) is sidelined, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic Houston reports.

The hitting prospect advanced all the way from Double-A to the majors last season and already has two homers in four games this spring. This kind of news would normally be exciting for a guy like Davis, but Gurriel isn't expected to miss more than a couple weeks of the regular season due to the timing of his surgery. Davis could see extra at-bats in the beginning of the season if he can outperform A.J. Reed and Tyler White during spring training, but his fantasy value doesn't change much unless the injury outlook for Gurriel or the any of the other Astros changes.

Candelario (knee) will play third base and bat cleanup in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.

Candelario suffered a bruised left knee after colliding with Orioles pitcher Kevin Gausman in a game Monday, but the 24-year-old's presence in the lineup two days later suggests the Tigers were never too concerned about the injury. Look for Candelario to fill a full-time role at third base for the Tigers in 2018 after showing excellent plate discipline and burgeoning power during his time with the big club upon coming over from the Cubs in a trade-deadline deal last July.

Chapman (hand) has been cleared to resume swinging Thursday, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

Chapman continues to work his way back from an injured right hand. It's likely that the club will keep him out of spring games for a while longer until he's able to show significant progress, but this is obviously a positive development for the third baseman. Chad Pinder will receive more time at the hot corner in Chapman's absence.