MLB Player News
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Ryan McMahon 3B | NYY
Yankees' Ryan McMahon: Reworks batting stance
McMahon is using a "narrower stance" while batting this spring, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.
McMahon reportedly worked with the Yankees' coaching staff to adjust his approach at the plate. The veteran third baseman expressed optimism about the reworked stance, saying, "A lot of good things happen from being a little bit closer together." McMahon added, "My hands don't drop as much, which is a super helpful thing. They travel a little bit higher, and that's something that I do when I'm swinging it well." Per Hoch, McMahon had the fourth-widest stance in MLB last season, and that didn't translate into good results -- over 54 regular-season games with the Yankees, he slashed just .208/.308/.333 with four homers, 18 RBI and 62 strikeouts across 185 plate appearances.
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Rafael Devers 3B | SF
Giants' Rafael Devers: Scratched due to tight hamstring
Devers was scratched from Friday's Cactus League lineup against the Dodgers because of left hamstring tightness, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
It's not clear at this point whether Devers might be sent for an MRI, but the Giants will be cautious with their first baseman this early in spring training. Bryce Eldridge took his spot in the lineup Friday.
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Rafael Devers 3B | SF
Giants' Rafael Devers: Scratched from Friday's lineup
Devers was scratched from Friday's Cactus League lineup against the Dodgers, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
There's no word yet on the reasoning behind Devers being scratched. Bryce Eldridge entered the lineup in his place, batting second and playing first base.
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Josh Jung 3B | TEX
Rangers' Josh Jung: Expected back in lineup Sunday
Jung (hamstring) is expected to return to Cactus League action Sunday against the Mariners, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Jung was initially expected to return to the lineup Friday against the White Sox, but the Rangers are giving him a couple extra days of rest. Luke Hanson is making the start at third base for Texas against Chicago.
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Royce Lewis 3B | MIN
Twins' Royce Lewis: MRI on side comes back negative
An MRI on Lewis' right side came back negative, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.
Lewis had to be scratched from Thursday's Grapefruit League lineup against the Pirates due to tightness in his side, but he has managed to sidestep a serious injury. The Twins are likely to keep Lewis out of game action for at least a few days to be safe, but he should be considered day-to-day.
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Manny Machado 3B | SD
Padres' Manny Machado: Enjoys big game in Cactus League
Machado went 2-for-3 with a pair of home runs, a walk and six RBI in Thursday's Cactus League loss to Cincinnati.
Machado went 0-for-5 over his first three spring contests but exploded with a two-run home run and a grand slam Thursday. The veteran third baseman is approaching his eighth season with San Diego and has hit between 27 and 32 homers in each of the past five regular seasons. Machado remains one of fantasy's top third basemen and has typically been one of the first five players selected at the position in drafts this year.
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Jonathon Long 3B | CHC
Cubs' Jonathon Long: Won't play in WBC
Long (elbow) will not join Team Chinese Taipei for the World Baseball Classic, deciding instead to stay in camp to focus on his rehab, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Long has been dealing with a left elbow sprain and has been on the mend over the past week. His original plan was to simply delay his departure for the WBC, but now the 24-year-old has opted to instead stick with the Cubs. While it's a disappointing development for Long, the decision makes sense in terms of getting fully healthy for the regular season. The youngster figures to start the year with Triple-A Iowa, where he'll look to build on the 20 home runs and .885 OPS he posted across 140 games at the same level in 2025.
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Royce Lewis 3B | MIN
Twins' Royce Lewis: Scratched with right side tightness
Lewis was scratched from Thursday's Grapefruit League lineup against the Pirates with tightness in his right side, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.
Lewis suffered the injury while running the bases during pregame warmups. He was scratched "out of abundance of caution," according to the team. Consider Lewis day-to-day for now, but it's yet another injury for the third baseman. Lewis appeared in a career-high 106 regular-season games last season, slashing a disappointing .237/.283/.388 with 13 home runs, 52 RBI, 36 runs scored, 12 stolen bases and a 25:80 BB:K across 403 plate appearances.
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Josh Jung 3B | TEX
Rangers' Josh Jung: Day-to-day with hamstring tightness
Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said Jung is dealing with "a little something" in his hamstring and is day-to-day, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.
Schumaker said Jung would likely be back in the lineup for Friday's Cactus League matchup with the White Sox. With Jung idle Thursday, Ezequiel Duran is making the start at third base. Jung appeared in 131 regular-season games last season and slashed .251/.294/.390 with 14 home runs, 61 RBI, 53 runs scored, four stolen bases and a 27:129 BB:K across 511 trips to the plate.
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Austin Riley 3B | ATL
Braves' Austin Riley: Launches first spring homer
Riley went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in Atlanta's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates on Wednesday.
The third baseman took Jarod Bayless deep in the third inning, taking advantage of Paul Skenes' exit two batters prior. Riley was fully healthy for the first time in a while this offseason, and he's looking to rebound after a couple tough campaigns that saw him hit just 35 homers in 212 regular-season games with a .760 OPS -- a sharp decline for the 28-year-old after he belted 75 long balls with an .869 OPS in 2022-23 while missing only six games in total.