MLB Player News

Garcia will get some reps at third base during spring games, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Manager Matt Quatraro said giving Garcia a look at the hot corner "doesn't hurt because you don't know what's going to happen during the year. Hopefully he forces us to bring him to the big leagues or make the team, and you can't be picky about where you play." Garcia was a solid contact hitter in limited time in the majors last season, batting .318 with two RBI, a double and a run scored over 23 plate appearances. He also slashed a combined .285/.359/.427 line over 118 games between Triple-A Omaha and Double-A Northwest Arkansas while adding 11 home runs, 39 stolen bases, 61 RBI and 104 runs scored. He may not break camp with the Royals, but Garcia profiles well to eventually take a run at the utility infield job that Nicky Lopez will likely occupy to begin the year.

Manager David Bell said Sunday that Senzel (toe) could be ready for game action sometime in mid-March, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Senzel is finishing up his recovery from offseason toe surgery and is currently tracking pitches before moving on to live batting practice. Assuming the 27-year-old is cleared for game action within the next few weeks, he should have enough time to get ready for the Opening Day.

Machado and the Padres are finalizing an 11-year, $350 million extension Sunday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The 30-year-old had six years and $180 million remaining on his previous contract (including the upcoming campaign) but recently confirmed plans to exercise his opt-out at the end of the 2023 season. Instead, he's reached a new deal with San Diego that should keep him around until 2034. Machado delivered his typical All-Star level of production last season with an .897 OPS, 32 home runs, 37 doubles, 102 RBI and 100 runs in 150 games, which earned him second place in voting for the National League MVP.

Longoria (illness) returned to camp Saturday after missing time with strep throat, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Longoria is the leading candidate to start at third base. He's perceived as a better glove than last year's primary starter at the hot corner, Josh Rojas, who went 1-for-3 with a run-producing double in a spring game against the Rockies.

Reynolds (back/knee) is batting fifth as the designated hitter in Sunday's spring game against the Giants, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Manager Dave Bell said last weekend that Reynolds would be unavailable for the start of Cactus League action due to back and knee soreness, but his presence in the lineup Sunday indicates neither issue is a serious concern. The 32-year-old faces an uphill battle to make the Reds' Opening Day roster after he was removed from the 40-man roster in January.

Baty went 2-for-2 with a walk and a two-run home run in Saturday's Grapefruit League contest against the Astros.

The Mets' top prospect has a legitimate chance to be the Opening Day third baseman with a strong camp, per MLB Pipeline. Eduardo Escobar offers a nice veteran fallback option for New York if Baty needs more seasoning at Triple-A, but the 23-year-old prospect is off to an excellent start to spring training.

It's unclear where the Giants plan to play Davis in 2023, Susan Slusser of The San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Davis is expected to get most of his work at the corner infield spots and designated hitter. The Giants are looking for David Villar to be the starter at third base, while first base remains up in the air. Slusser adds Davis and fellow right-handed hitter Wilmer Flores could likely split first base and DH against left-handed pitchers, but it appears Davis isn't likely to see a significant role to start unless his play in spring forces the issue.

Rivera (wrist) will bat cleanup and play third base Saturday against the Athletics.

Rivera suffered a fractured wrist at the tail end of last season, but the injury evidently is no longer a problem. He'll compete for a bench spot in camp after hitting .238/.298/.393 with 13 home runs in 131 games across his first two big-league campaigns.

Walls has been sidelined at the start of spring camp with an oblique injury, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The infielder has not been able to participate in Grapefruit League activities while dealing with the injury. Walls is expected to serve as a backup infielder with Tampa Bay after hitting just .172.268/.285 with eight homers and 10 steals over 466 plate appearances across 142 games with the Rays in 2022. There should be further updates on Walls' status as the spring progresses.

Noel will get some time at first base, left field and right field during 2023, Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com reports.

Noel is likely to begin the season with Triple-A Columbus, where he received a late promotion and played four games last season. Across three levels of the minors in 2022, he hit 32 home runs. He still strikes out at a high rate -- that mark was at 27.4 percent last season, but the power remains enticing if he can improve his plate discipline. The 21-year-old is a natural first baseman, but getting more time in the corner outfield at the highest levels of the minors could open more pathways for his eventual major-league debut.