MLB Player News

Jung (calf) will undergo an MRI on Friday and hopes to be cleared to resume running soon, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

The third baseman is three weeks removed from a left calf strain. Jung has already been performing all other baseball activities other than running, and if his calf shows sufficient healing, he can progress to full activities. If that happens, a return to game action should be just around the corner, potentially giving him enough time to be ready for Opening Day.

Busch went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Thursday's Cactus League game against the Reds.

Busch took Cincinnati fireballer Hunter Greene deep for his first home run of the spring. The 26-year-old projects to be Chicago's primary option at first base heading into the regular season. Busch has some upside and looked great in the minors last year, though he's yet to get extended run in the majors, so there may be some growing pains as he settles in with the Cubs.

The Angels reassigned Dozier to minor-league camp Thursday.

Dozier signed a minor-league deal with the Angels in January after logging a .558 OPS across 91 plate appearances in his final season with the Royals. He looked better this spring, going 4-for-19 with a home run and three RBI, but the Angels will keep him in the minors until he proves he can maintain consistent success at the plate. Dozier will likely begin the season at Triple-A Salt Lake.

Peraza is expected to undergo imaging on his right shoulder after reporting renewed soreness following a return to the lineup Tuesday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Peraza was playing in his first game in a week Tuesday but experienced a recurrence of the shoulder issue that's plagued him this spring. Yankees manager Aaron Boone told Sherman that he doesn't believe Peraza's injury to be serious, but more will be known after the test results are in. Peraza is competing for a spot on the Yanks' bench.

Chapman is starting at third base and batting fifth for the Giants on Thursday against the Dodgers in his Cactus League debut, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Chapman officially signed on with the Giants on Sunday and will make his debut with the team four days later. Left-hander James Paxton is starting for the Dodgers and the five spot could be where Chapman resides versus southpaws during the regular season, as well. He might slide down a spot or two against righties.

Madrigal was diagnosed with a mild right hamstring strain Thursday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Madrigal will be re-evaluated in a week, at which point the team will have a better idea of when Madrigal will be able to return to game action. The 27-year-old infielder landed on the injured list twice last season due to problems with his hamstring, and Madrigal's most recent tweak indicates that it may remain a recurring problem this year as well.

Toro went 1-for-3 in Wednesday's 12-5 win over the Angels.

The 27-year-old journeyman appears to be finding his comfort zone at the plate as of late. Toro is hitting .350 over 20 at-bats with a .700 OPS so far this spring. With Zach Gelof continuing to impress as a young prospect at second, Toro figures to be in contention for the starting third base job but could also earn a roster spot as a utility option.

Monasterio went 1-for-3 with an RBI single in Wednesday's 2-0 win over Cincinnati.

The 26-year-old has impressed in the spring thus far, hitting .364 with a .728 OPS over 11 at-bats. It's hard to imagine the utility infielder pushing out promising prospect Brice Turang or stalwart shortstop Willy Adames, but it's possible Monasterio could initially start at third base over Joey Ortiz, who was acquired in the beginning of February as part of the Corbin Burnes trade to Baltimore. Monasterio played in 92 games for the Brewers last season and had a .259/.330/.348 slash line in 315 plate appearances.

Rendon (groin) said that he's showing improvement and may be able to face live pitching in batting practice Thursday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Even if the Angels elect to hold Rendon out of live batting practice Thursday, the veteran third baseman is optimistic that he'll rejoin the Cactus League lineup "soon." He clarified that the groin discomfort he's experiencing is more along the lines of soreness rather than a strain, adding that he's proceeding cautiously just to prevent the issue from worsening and becoming something that plagues him all season.

Madrigal underwent a precautionary MRI on his right hamstring Tuesday, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Madrigal exited Monday's game versus the Padres with what was deemed a leg cramp, but the Cubs have now specified that he's dealing with a hamstring-related concern. The Cubs are optimistic the injury isn't serious but wanted to put Madrigal through imaging just to be safe, particularly with his history of leg problems. Madrigal is competing for starts at the hot corner for the Cubs.