Cincinnati manager Terry Francona suggested Thursday that Candelario and Gavin Lux could be part of a platoon at third base, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Francona wants to get as many competent bats into the lineup as possible, but that's shaping up to be a tricky task. Christian Encarnacion-Strand (three HRs, 1.000 OPS) has hit well this spring and looks like the best option for first base, which removes a potential path to playing time for Candelario. He could slot in at designated hitter if Spencer Steer (shoulder) is not ready for the start of the regular season. Lux can also handle second base or left field, which would allow both he and Candelario to be in the lineup against righties.

Noel is projected to make the Guardians' Opening Day roster by Mandy Bell and Tim Stebbins of MLB.com.

Noel has 15 strikeouts across 33 at-bats in Cactus League action this spring and doesn't offer much range in the outfield. On the other hand, he would provide some needed pop for the Guardians from the right side of the plate, as he maintained a .268 ISO across 198 plate appearances in his first taste of the majors last season. Assuming he does make the team, Noel is expected to begin the campaign splitting time with Will Brennan in right field.

Devers (shoulders) said Thursday that he is OK with being a designated hitter if that's where the Red Sox choose to use him, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Devers was speaking publicly for the first time since telling reporters in mid-February that he was a third baseman and was unwilling to be a DH. The 28-year-old has spoken with manager Alex Cora and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow since then, and while he wanted to keep the details of that conversation to himself, he now appears amendable to serving as the team's DH. The Red Sox have not yet announced a decision on where Devers or Alex Bregman will play, but all signs point to Devers indeed being the DH while Bregman handles third base. Devers homered during a simulated game Thursday and is expected to finally make his Grapefruit League debut Saturday against Atlanta.

Baty could be the Mets' Opening Day second baseman with Jeff McNeil (oblique) likely to begin the season on the injured list, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Baty has never played an inning at second base at the major-league level, but he started 27 games at the keystone last season at Triple-A Syracuse and has played there often this spring, including on Thursday in the Mets' first game after the McNeil injury was announced. Luisangel Acuna is also in the running to fill in for McNeil at second base, but DiComo projects Baty to be the favorite to get the first shot there.

Pirates senior director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Thursday that Hayes (side) has resumed full baseball activities, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Tomczyk added that Hayes should be able to return to games within the next few days. Hayes hasn't participated in Grapefruit League play in more than a week due to left side tightness, but it sounds like he's getting over the hump with the injury.

Walls (quadriceps) is in the lineup for Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

Walls will return to action for the first time since March 8, having turned the page on the quad issue. Known more for his glove than his bat, Walls is expected to serve as the Rays' primary shortstop until offseason addition Ha-Seong Kim (shoulder) is ready to return. Kim is said to be targeting late May for his 2025 debut.

Smith will start in right field and bat cleanup in Thursday's split-squad game against the Cardinals, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

After acclimating himself to the position on the back fields, Smith will play right for the first time in a Grapefruit League game while running with the rest of Houston's "A" lineup. Acquired from the Cubs in the Kyle Tucker trade, Smith is widely considered his new organization's top prospect, and he appears to have a real chance to make the Opening Day roster despite limited experience in the minors. The 22-year-old is 9-for-20 with a pair of homers and seven RBI so far this spring.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Wednesday that he expects Devers (shoulders) to take at-bats during a simulated game Thursday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

If all goes well in the sim game, Devers could be cleared to make his Grapefruit League debut Saturday versus Atlanta. Devers appears to be further away from taking part in full defensive drills at third base, making it likelier by the day that he'll be limited to a designated-hitter duties to begin the 2025 campaign. If that's the case, Masataka Yoshida (shoulder) would presumably open the season on the injured list, as he's been making starts at DH this spring but has yet to complete his throwing progression and could be weeks away from being ready to play the corner outfield.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Wednesday that he plans to have Jarren Duran, Rafael Devers (shoulders) and Bregman as the top three in his batting order this season, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

They will be followed by Triston Casas and Trevor Story in the fourth and fifth spots, respectively, at least against right-handers. Bregman has had a terrific spring at the plate with his new club, slashing .391/.467/.826 with a couple home runs.

Alexander (undisclosed) will start at third base and bat eighth in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks.

Alexander exited Monday's game against the White Sox due to an unspecified issue, but his return to the lineup two days later implies he was dealing with just a minor health concern. The 28-year-old is battling for a utility role with the Athletics in spring training.