MLB Player News

Miranda (shoulder) withdrew Wednesday from competing for the Puerto Rican team in the World Baseball Classic, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Miranda recently experienced right shoulder soreness in Twins camp, so he'll cancel his plans to play in the upcoming WBC and focus on his rehab. The issue doesn't seem to be a huge concern -- he's taken three Grapefruit League at-bats out of the designated-hitter spot -- but now the 24-year-old can simply focus on being ready to handle third base for Minnesota once he's cleared to throw again. He posted an encouraging .751 OPS with 15 home runs and 66 RBI over his first 125 big-league games in 2022.

LeMahieu is Yankees manager Aaron Boone's preference to bat leadoff, the skipper intimated to Marly Rivera of ESPN.com on Wednesday.

LeMahieu might not even technically have a set starting spot, but he'll essentially be an everyday player if healthy and all indications are that he's past last year's toe issue. The veteran infielder has some bounce-back potential in fantasy if he is indeed placed at the top of the batting order, as he'll have tremendous runs and batting average upside.

Cubs manager David Ross said Wednesday that Wisdom is day-to-day with left groin soreness, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports. "He feels like if the season was starting he would be playing in a game, but I don't want to push anything right now," Ross said of Wisdom.

Ross said that because it's early in the spring season, the team will take a cautious approach with Wisdom. The 31-year-old corner infielder still seems likely to be ready for the start of the regular season, barring a setback.

Cabbage (forearm) has appeared in each of the Angels' first four Cactus League games, going 2-for-7 with a double and two walks.

Cabbage didn't appear in any minor-league games after mid-May of last season due to a left forearm fracture, but he was cleared for the start of spring training and appears to be making up for the lost time by getting plenty of at-bats early on during Cactus League play. Though he's seen most of his time in the minors in the corner outfield, Cabbage has been deployed exclusively as a designated hitter or first baseman so far this spring, so it's possible his left throwing shoulder isn't yet back to 100 percent. Regardless, Cabbage looks like he'll be ready to go for the start of the upcoming minor-league season, with Triple-A Salt Lake or Double-A Rocket City being his most likely destination.

Miranda has been limited to designated hitter duty early on in camp because of a sore right shoulder, Twins manager Rocco Baldelli told Nick Nelson of TwinsDaily.com Tuesday.

The shoulder evidently doesn't bother Miranda at the plate but is causing some issues when throwing. It does not sound like a major concern at this point, but it's unclear when Miranda might be cleared to play the field. He's slated for third base duties in 2023 after spending most of 2022 at first base.

Wisdom (groin) was scratched from the Cubs' Cactus League lineup again Tuesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Wisdom got scratched from the lineup Monday due to left groin soreness and he felt some lingering discomfort during a morning workout Tuesday in Cubs camp. Word is that these back-to-back absences are mostly a precautionary measure. He should be able to return to Cactus League action by the end of the week.

Urshela is expected to play a good amount of shortstop this spring, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

The position is not totally foreign to Urshela, who has 43 appearances at shortstop over seven major-league seasons. Angels manager Phil Nevin noted that Urshela lost some weight over the offseason in anticipation of maybe getting more of an opportunity at short. Urshela will also serve as insurance at both corner infield spots with Jared Walsh and Anthony Rendon each coming back from major injuries.

Reynolds has been diagnosed with Grade 1 strains in both of his quads, Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

This is actually relatively encouraging news given the other possible diagnoses. Reynolds is only expected to miss a few days of camp and should still be an option for a bench role with the Reds.

Bregman (finger) will make his Grapefruit League debut Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Bregman fractured his left index finger during Game 6 of the World Series and has been easing into things this spring. The injury will keep him from participating in the World Baseball Classic but is not expected to affect his availability for Opening Day. Bregman posted an .820 OPS with 23 home runs in 2022.

Wisdom (groin) is back in the Cubs' Cactus League lineup Tuesday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Wisdom had to be scratched from Monday's lineup with left groin tightness, but he's feeling well enough to serve as the designated hitter Tuesday. He should be ready to play the field later this week.