MLB Player News

Smith should benefit from the Rangers' decision to designate Mark Mathias for assignment Saturday, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

Mathias was bumped from the 40-man roster to create space for reliever Will Smith, who was signed by the Rangers on Saturday. Weaver goes into great detail as to what the transaction means for several players on the roster, including Smith, who was in a battle to make the team in a utility role. While he can't provide the right-handed bench bat that Mathias did, Smith's ability to play shortstop gives the Rangers insurance that Mathias could not supply. Smith, who came to Texas in the Joey Gallo trade, posted a .197/.307/.249 line over 253 plate appearances in 2022.

Bichette drew walks in his only two plate appearances during Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays, scoring two runs and stealing a base.

It was the 24-year-old shortstop's first stolen base of the spring. Bichette has swiped 38 bags on 47 attempts over the last two years for the Blue Jays and has emerged as a true five-category fantasy asset. With MLB limiting pickoff attempts from the pitcher and introducing larger bases this season, it's not outrageous to think Bichette could set a new career high in steals in 2023.

Velazquez said Monday he will no longer switch hit and will instead exclusively bat right-handed, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Velazquez briefly dropped switch hitting last season before a season-ending knee injury, and he'll now hit exclusively right-handed going forward. The 28-year-old had a .540 OPS across 125 games last season, with similarly poor results against both types of pitcher. Velazquez isn't guaranteed a spot on the Halos' Opening Day roster, though his elite defense at shortstop and speed could make him a solid bench piece.

Correa is set to make his Grapefruit League debut Wednesday versus the Phillies, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

The condition of Correa's ankle was a major topic of conversation this offseason, but he reported to camp healthy and with no limitations. Him not playing in the Twins' first five games seems to be more about getting the veteran treatment and easing into things. Correa is expected to leave camp for a bit at some point in March with his wife due to give birth to the couple's second child soon.

Perez (back) will begin light baseball activities this week, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Perez continues to receive treatment and is going through a core stabilization program as he works his way back from lower-back inflammation. The infield prospect was added to the Tigers' 40-man roster over the offseason but is slated to begin the year in the minors.

Mondesi (knee) took regular batting practice Monday for the first time since last May's ACL surgery, Chad Jennings of The Athletic reports.

Mondesi has been going through some baseball activities for a little while now but this is the first time he took some rounds of BP on the field in 10 months. He has yet to participate in team defensive drills or run at max effort. Opening Day is considered a long shot, but Mondesi should be able to get into some Grapefruit League games in March.

Volpe is hitting fifth and playing second base in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.

Volpe has played shortstop for the overwhelming majority of his professional career, but the Yankees want to see their top prospect at multiple positions this spring, and he'll get the start at second base Monday. The 21-year-old is very likely ticketed for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to begin the 2023 season, but if Volpe is able to show the versatility to contribute at multiple positions, it could be a major boon to his chances of making an early contribution to the Yankees this spring.

Barger went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates.

Getting the start at third base and hitting sixth behind Blue Jays regulars like Vladimir Guerrero, Daulton Varsho and Danny Jansen, Barger turned on a fastball from Pittsburgh closer David Bednar and crushed it deep to right field in the fourth inning. Barger had a breakout year in the minors in 2022, ascending from High-A to Triple-A and posting a combined .306/.375/.544 slash line with 25 homers in 126 games, and the 23-year-old appears poised to make his big-league debut sometime this season, potentially in the same kind of utility role currently filled by Cavan Biggio.

Velazquez (knee) is starting at shortstop and batting ninth in Sunday's spring game against the White Sox, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Velazquez underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee in September but is ready for Cactus League action. The 28-year-old had a .540 OPS in 125 games last season and should serve as a reserve shortstop for the Angels in 2023.

Texas manager Bruce Bochy said Smith will play all infield positions and left field during spring games, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports. "I think he's comfortable moving around," Bochy said. "He's already done it, so that's always a good thing."

Smith came through the system as a shortstop, but he's blocked by Corey Seager in the majors. That means he'll have to make the team in a utility capacity. He debuted in the majors in 2022, playing 36 games at third base, 24 in left field, six at shortstop, five as the designated hitter and two at second base. Smith posted a line of .197/.307/.249 over 73 games.