MLB Player News

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Monday that Jung (calf) is expected to play in the team's final two exhibition games March 25 and 26 versus the Red Sox at Globe Life Field, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

If those two games wind up being the only two exhibition contests that Jung plays, it may not be sufficient enough for him to gain clearance for Opening Day on March 28 against the Cubs. However, the Rangers don't appear to have ruled out Jung being ready for the start of the regular season. Jung has been slowed by a left calf strain in camp, and while a recent MRI showed healing, he hasn't yet been cleared for running.

Riley has gone 5-for-20 (.250) over eight Grapefruit League games with a solo home run and a 0:3 BB:K.

The 26-year-old third baseman has been getting in his work and looks set to once again hit in the heart of Atlanta's batting order. Riley has averaged 36 homers and 99 RBI over the last three seasons while missing only eight total games, making him one of the most dependable fantasy options available at the hot corner.

White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said earlier this month that Moncada will serve as the team's No. 2 hitter this season, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

Moncada mostly hit fourth or fifth during his injury-shortened 2023 season but will slide up to the No. 2 spot to start the 2024 campaign. He'll be preceded by Andrew Benintendi and likely followed by Luis Robert, Eloy Jimenez and Andrew Vaughn. Moncada has battled through chronic back and leg problems the past two seasons but is fully healthy this spring and has slashed .348/.464/.435 during Cactus League play.

Alvarez remains a longshot to break camp with the Athletics, but he is making an impression with his bat in Cactus League play, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The career minor-leaguer had his best game of spring Saturday, going 3-for-3 with a solo home run that traveled 423 feet to left field, per Gallegos. Alvarez has put together several impressive Triple-A stints since 2019 in which he's showcased some decent power, but he's yet to log a regular-season major-league at-bat. The 29-year-old has experience playing across the infield, and given his .539 average over eight Cactus League games thus far, he may be on his way to forcing manager Mark Kotsay into a difficult decision come final cutdowns.

Lipcius was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday, Kirsten Watson of SportsNet LA reports.

Lipcius was acquired by the Dodgers on Monday, and he appeared in two Cactus League games with the team before being sent down, going 2-for-4 with an RBI. The infielder will now look to perform well while in Triple-A in an attempt to get called up to the majors at some point this summer.

Diaz was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Sunday.

Diaz had a rough go of it with the A's in Cactus League play, batting .083 with a double and two runs scored while striking out three times over 24 at-bats in 10 contests. He'll now look to get right with the Aviators before he inevitably gets another shot with the major-league roster in 2024.

Rendon (groin) will start at third base and bat cleanup in Sunday's Cactus League game against the Padres, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

As anticipated, Rendon will make his return to the lineup for the first time in one week after he reported groin discomfort following his most recent spring appearance last Sunday. The missed week of action shouldn't put Rendon too far behind his healthy teammates as Opening Day approaches. Heading into the fifth season of the seven-year, $245 million megadeal he signed with the Angels in December 2019, the 33-year-old Rendon will be looking to bounce back after he posted a career-worst .679 OPS over 183 plate appearances during an injury-shortened 2023 campaign.

Rosario is in the mix for starts at third base for the Padres while Manny Machado (elbow) is limited to the designated hitter spot, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Machado will need to DH at least for the club's March 20-21 series in South Korea and perhaps for a bit when it returns home, too. That opens up some at-bats at the hot corner, where Rosario is competing primarily with Graham Pauley and Matthew Batten. Rosario, 24, is 6-for-25 with a couple stolen bases in Cactus League play and went 9-for-36 with two homers during his brief time with the big club last season. He can play second base and shortstop, as well, putting him in contention for a reserve role even if he's not getting starts at third base.

Batten is a candidate for starts at third base for the Padres while Manny Machado (elbow) is limited to designated hitter duty, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Batten is in competition primarily with Graham Pauley and Eguy Rosario for playing time at third base until Machado is ready to play the field. The 28-year-old Batten is known more for his glove than his bat but held his own in 139 plate appearances with the big club last season, posting a .713 OPS with a couple homers. Batten's limited ceiling offensively makes him a lackluster fantasy option even if he were to garner starts for a while.

Pauley is in the running to start at third base for the Padres while Manny Machado (elbow) is limited to designated hitter duty, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Machado will not be ready to play third for the team's March 20-21 series in South Korea against the Dodgers and perhaps for a bit longer than that. That opens up some playing time at the hot corner, with Pauley, Matthew Batten and Eguy Rosario in the mix, per Acee. Pauley is not on the 40-man roster, has yet to advance past Double-A San Antonio and is not a strong defender, factors which could work against him cracking the Opening Day roster. However, he's forced himself into the conversation this spring by putting up a 1.012 OPS with one home run in 12 games. The 23-year-old slashed an impressive .308/.393/.539 with 23 home runs and 22 stolen bases over three minor-league levels in 2023.