MLB Player News

Walls (oblique) will serve as the Rays' designated hitter and No. 3 batter Thursday in a split-squad Grapefruit League game against Atlanta, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Walls is making his spring debut Thursday after he reported to camp battling an oblique strain that has prompted the Rays to bring him along slowly in workouts. The Rays will ease Walls back into the lineup in a non-defensive role, and he could be limited to DH duties for at least a couple more days before he gets the green light to make a start in the infield. Manager Kevin Cash has said that he anticipates Walls being ready to go for Opening Day, but that will be contingent on Walls avoiding any setbacks with the oblique during Grapefruit League play.

Muncy is no longer using a step-back in his swing as he did for the latter part of last season, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Muncy adopted the step-back last year in part to "lock things in place" following a rough start to the campaign that was likely connected to lingering ligament damage in his elbow. Ardaya reports that Muncy visited Driveline in the offseason and took up weighted bat training that has resulted in a quicker swing, and the veteran appears to be back to full health for the coming campaign. Muncy has so far shown positive results this spring, slashing .292/.393/.500 with a home run, two doubles and three RBI over 28 plate appearances.

Yandy Diaz is expected to play primarily at first base in 2023, leaving Paredes with an opportunity to be the team's primary third baseman, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

Though the Rays continue to boast impressive infield depth in both the majors and upper levels of the minors, the departure of Ji-Man Choi relieved some of the playing time jam. Paredes will seek to take advantage of the opportunity after posting 20 home runs, 48 runs scored and 45 RBI across 381 plate appearances with the Rays last season. However, he hasn't acquitted himself particularly well this spring, as he has gone only 5-for-26 with no extra-base hits combined between the World Baseball Classic and spring training contests.

Arenado is batting .364 (4-for-11) through Team USA's first three games at the World Baseball Classic.

Three of Arenado's four hits are doubles. It's status quo for the third baseman, who hit an impressive .293/.358/.533 with 30 home runs and 103 RBI across 148 contests last season. He'll play a near-everyday role at the hot corner with occasional time as the designated hitter once the Cardinals' season begins.

Burger has four home runs through 15 Cactus League games.

He has also struck out 12 times through 35 at-bats, but the power is certainly encouraging. Burger, 26, appears to be locked into an Opening Day roster spot with the White Sox and deserves to see regular playing time out of the gate versus left-handed pitching. A first-round pick in the 2017 MLB Draft, he boasts a career .892 OPS against southpaws in limited action as a major leaguer.

Triolo was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis by the Pirates on Tuesday.

Triolo was 0-for-18 with four walks through 11 games this spring in Grapefruit League play, but he at least proved that the hyperextended left knee which plagued him down the stretch last year is no longer an issue. The 25-year-old might be able to climb to the MLB level at some point in 2023.

Noel was optioned to Triple-A Columbus by the Guardians on Tuesday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Noel, 21, has gone 2-for-15 at the dish in nine games this spring. The young slugger is expected to play left and right field in addition to his natural first base at Columbus this season.

Nevin (oblique) has started playing catch and going through defensive drills, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Nevin is also aiming to hit off a tee by the end of the week. Phil's son is working his way back from a mild left oblique strain and it seems like he might have an outside shot to be ready for Opening Day.

Lipcius was optioned to Triple-A Toledo by the Tigers on Tuesday.

Lipcius has had a nice spring with a .909 OPS and three home runs. The 24-year-old is capable of playing all over the infield and could find himself in a utility role in Detroit before long.

Busch was optioned Monday to minor-league camp by the Dodgers.

Busch has struggled in his brief Cactus League sample, with a slash line of .150/.320/.300 with one homer in 25 plate appearances. Those struggles have very little to do with why he's opening the season in the minors, however, and the 25-year-old could be an option for the Dodgers at some point this summer as one of the club's best hitting prospects.