MLB Player News
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Eddys Leonard SS | MIL
Tigers' Eddys Leonard: Moved to minor-league camp
The Tigers reassigned Leonard to minor-league camp Wednesday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
Leonard went 3-for-15 with an RBI and two runs scored over eight Grapefruit League games. The 24-year-old infielder will now begin the 2025 season at Triple-A Toledo and could make a push for the majors sometime this summer.
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Ernie Clement 2B | TOR
Blue Jays' Ernie Clement: Could be in lineup Thursday
Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Wednesday that Clement (mouth) could be back in the lineup Thursday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Clement had to leave Monday's game against the Tigers after being hit in the face by a pitch, but he managed to escape with just a lip laceration and contusion and is feeling much better. He's expected to serve as Toronto's primary third baseman in 2025.
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Tim Anderson 2B | LAA
Angels' Tim Anderson: Making start in center field
Anderson is starting in center field and batting seventh in Wednesday's Cactus League game versus the Dodgers, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
Anderson has never played an inning in the outfield in pro ball but is attempting to add to his versatility this spring in an effort to make the Angels' Opening Day roster. The two-time All-Star is also competing for reps at shortstop and second base.
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Josh H. Smith SS | TEX
Rangers' Josh Smith: Plays fifth different position
Smith started in right field and went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Tuesday's spring game against the Athletics.
Smith started at a fifth different position Tuesday -- he's also defended first base, shortstop, third base and center field -- and manager Bruce Bochy plans for him to play all fielding positions except catcher this spring, Shawn McFarland of the Dallas Morning News reports. The home run was Smith's first of the Cactus League, and he's batting .316 (6-for-19) through seven outings.
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Marcelo Mayer 2B | BOS
Red Sox's Marcelo Mayer: Battling stomach bug
Mayer won't be available for Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates while he recovers from a stomach illness, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.
The stomach bug appears to be making its way around Red Sox camp, as fellow top prospect Roman Anthony fell ill earlier this week and will also remain out of the lineup Tuesday. Mayer should require just a few days to move past the ailment, but his time in big-league camp is likely to come to an end in the near future anyway. The 22-year-old shortstop is expected to open the 2025 season at Triple-A Worcester and could make his big-league debut at some point later on in the campaign.
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Vaughn Grissom 2B | LAA
Red Sox's Vaughn Grissom: Stacking starts at second base
Grissom leads the Red Sox with six starts at second base this spring, Joe Weil of WEEI reports.
Top prospect Kristian Campbell has only started once at the keystone while getting three starts in left field. Grissom is limited to second base, so it makes sense that he wouldn't be playing other positions, but if the Red Sox happen to start the season with Masataka Yoshida (shoulder) on the injured list, Grissom could be the Opening Day starter at second base.
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George Lombard SS | NYY
Yankees' George Lombard: Turning heads this spring
Through seven Grapefruit League games, Lombard has gone 3-for-11 with two home runs, three runs and three RBI.
Lombard was invited to big-league spring training despite having yet to rise above the High-A level, and he's making the most of the opportunity. The 19-year-old hit his second long ball of the spring Monday, launching a shot to left-center field in the eighth inning against the Pirates. Lombard isn't a realistic candidate to make the Opening Day roster, but he's one of New York's top prospects and could advance to Double-A ball this year if he continues to take positive steps in his development.
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Ernie Clement 2B | TOR
Blue Jays' Ernie Clement: No concussion or fractures
Clement did not suffer any fractures and is not dealing with any concussion symptoms as a result of a hit-by-pitch in the face during Monday's game against the Tigers, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports
It was a scary situation when Clement was struck by a 91.3 mph Ty Madden fastball, but the infielder has managed to escape with merely a lip laceration and contusion. Projected to be the Blue Jays' primary third baseman this season, Clement should be considered day-to-day.
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Bo Bichette 3B | NYM
Blue Jays' Bo Bichette: Clubs first spring homer
Bichette went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.
The shortstop crushed a Tanner Banks pitch down the left-field line in the third inning for his first long ball of the spring. Bichette appears laser-focused on putting his rough 2024 season behind him, going 5-for-16 (.313) with two doubles, plus Sunday's homer, through his first six Grapefruit League games.
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Ernie Clement 2B | TOR
Blue Jays' Ernie Clement: Exits after HBP in face
Clement was removed from Monday's game against the Tigers after being hit in the face by a pitch, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Clement was struck by a 91.3 mph fastball from Ty Madden and walked off the field with a trainer while holding a bloody towel to his face. The Blue Jays are saying for the time being that Clement is dealing with a lip laceration and contusion, although it's not clear whether he still needs to undergo additional testing. Clement is expected to open the season as Toronto's primary third baseman.