MLB Player News

Baty spent the offseason studying video and working to get his top hand stronger through his swing, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

"He's a typical right-hand thrower, left-hand bat where that top hand isn't your dominant hand," Mets assistant hitting coach Jeremy Barnes said. "That matters in keeping the barrel where you want to keep the barrel. It's just a matter of creating awareness around that, getting in a really good routine and then not trying to be perfect." A stronger top hand would create a more direct path to the ball and keep the 24-year-old's bat in the strike zone longer, hopefully improving his weak 69.1 percent contact rate from 2023. Baty is still the favorite to break camp as the Mets' starting third baseman, but if the club decides he needs more minor-league seasoning, veteran offseason addition Joey Wendle is available to platoon with Mark Vientos in Baty's place.

Arenado (back) is scheduled to take live batting practice Monday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Arenado's involvement in the Cardinals' first full-squad workout of spring training implies that he reported to camp with no restrictions after he closed the 2023 season on the 10-day injured list due to lower-back spasms. In an effort to improve his flexibility and avoid further back problems during the upcoming campaign, Arenado took up pilates and shed a few pounds in the offseason. The 32-year-old still boasts an elite glove at third base, but he showed his some slight signs of decline in 2023, with his .774 OPS representing a 117-point decline from 2022. Arenado's batted-ball data also mirrored the dropoff in most of the counting categories, with his barrel rate, hard-hit percentage and average exit velocity all ranking in the bottom 40 percent of hitters in the league.

Kreidler is one of several players who figure to compete for Detroit's final bench spot this spring along with Keston Hiura, Eddys Leonard and others, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Hiura joined the team on Friday via a non-roster invite to camp, while Leonard has yet to appear in the majors, so Kreidler may have the inside track after appearing in 37 games for the Tigers over the past two seasons. However, he's a career .165 hitter, so if the team can get more offense from someone else, Kreidler may be squeezed off the roster. He's not on the fantasy radar at this point given his lack of production and likely small role.

Jung was diagnosed with a strained left calf Saturday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Jung reported discomfort in his calf while fielding grounders Friday, and he is now set to miss at least two or three weeks before the team re-evaluates him. At that point, a better picture regarding Jung's status for Opening Day should be available.

Bohm will make $4 million in 2024 after winning his arbitration hearing with the Phillies on Thursday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

The Phillies had offered $3.4 million, but the ruling went in Bohm's favor. It's a nice raise for the third baseman in what was his first year of arbitration eligibility. Bohm is coming off a 2023 campaign which saw him slash .274/.327/.437 with 20 home runs and 97 RBI.

Arenado (back) is in better shape entering 2024, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Arenado has taken up pilates to be more flexible, losing a few pounds in the process. The 32-year-old third baseman is still expected to be the Cardinals' starter at the hot corner in 2024, so getting a little fitter can only help to keep him on the field. He had a challenging 2023, as did many Cardinals, slashing .266/.315/.459 with 26 home runs, 93 RBI, 71 runs scored, 26 doubles and three stolen bases over 144 contests. It was the first time he finished with an OPS under .800 in a full season since his rookie year with the Rockies in 2013.

Mayo will get most of his reps in big-league camp at third base, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Mayo will also see time at first base and could work out in right field as well. The Orioles believe third base gives Mayo the quickest path to the majors, especially with Gunnar Henderson (oblique) limited to start the spring. That said, Mayo could require a little more time at Triple-A Norfolk before contending for a major-league spot. He slashed .267/.393/.512 with Norfolk over 62 contests after a midseason promotion in 2023.

Jung felt discomfort in his left calf while fielding groundballs Friday, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

Jung will undergo an MRI to determine the severity of the injury. Corey Seager is already a question mark for Opening Day following sports hernia surgery, so the left side of the Rangers' infield could be further depleted. Jung finished fourth in the American League Rookie of the Year voting in 2023 after slashing .266/.315/.467 with 23 home runs over 122 games.

Escobar signed a contract with the Blue Jays on Thursday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Escobar suffered through a miserable 2023 season, during which he posted a .267 wOBA and 66 wRC+ across 309 plate appearances split between the Mets and Angels. At 35 years old, he's not likely to see a major rebound in his results, but he could earn consistent at-bats at third base to begin the campaign.

Henderson's Grapefruit League debut will be delayed after he was diagnosed with a strained oblique, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

As things stand right now, the Orioles do not believe Henderson's availability for Opening Day is in jeopardy. That assumes he progresses from here on out without issue, of course. The reigning American League Rookie of the Year posted an .814 OPS with 28 home runs and 10 stolen bases over 150 contests for Baltimore last season.