MLB Player News

Mateo (hand) took full batting practice Wednesday and should be fully cleared in advance of Friday's season opener versus Tampa Bay, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

After sitting out Monday with a side issue, Mateo was cleared to return to the lineup for the Orioles' spring finale Tuesday against the Blue Jays, only to exit early after he was struck on the right hand by a pitch. Fortunately, Mateo avoided any structural damage to his hand, and his ability to take full batting practice a day later suggests he's not experiencing too much soreness, either. Manager Brandon Hyde hasn't confirmed that Mateo will be the Orioles' Opening Day shortstop, but he certainly earned the job on the heels of his magnificent spring. The 26-year-old went 8-for-21 with six extra-base hits (two home runs, four doubles) and two walks against two strikeouts while going 1-for-2 on stolen-base attempts. That sort of power production probably won't be sustainable in the regular season, but the speedy Mateo should have the green light to run regularly for an Orioles squad that could struggle to manufacture runs.

Fletcher (hip) is starting at shortstop and batting ninth in Tuesday's spring game against the Dodgers.

Fletcher has been held out of the lineup the past few days due to hip tightness, but he'll retake the field for Tuesday's spring finale. The 27-year-old appears fully recovered from the injury and should start at shortstop Opening Day for the Angels.

Mateo was removed in the fifth inning of Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays after being hit on the right hand by a pitch, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Midsection soreness prevented Mateo from playing Monday against the Pirates, but the infielder was cleared to start a day later after follow-up tests revealed nothing overly concerning. Mateo resumed his red-hot spring by doubling off Alek Manoah in his first at-bat, but the 26-year-old could be dealing with a new injury concern just three days before Opening Day. The Orioles will hope that Mateo is just dealing with bruising or soreness on his hand, but he could be sent in for a precautionary X-ray to ensure he didn't suffer any structural damage.

The Royals formally announced Tuesday that Witt has made their Opening Day roster.

Jon Heyman of MLB Network previously reported over the weekend that Witt would be included on the Royals' Opening Day roster, but the team waited a few days to make the matter official. Witt has seen the bulk of his minor-league action at shortstop, but he'll be installed as the Royals' everyday starter at third base after playing the position throughout the spring. The 21-year-old answered any questions about his readiness for the big leagues by mashing during Cactus League play, as he carries a .406/.441/.781 slash line into Tuesday's spring finale against the Brewers.

Mateo (stomach) will start at shortstop and bat fifth in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Though Orioles manager Brandon Hyde revealed Monday that Mateo was dealing with soreness in his stomach that resulted in him being sent in for additional testing, the 26-year-old apparently checked out fine and is good to go for Baltimore's penultimate game of spring training. Hyde hasn't tipped his hand regarding which players will open the season as Baltimore's regulars on the left side of the infield, but Mateo's big spring may put him in pole position for the top job at shortstop ahead of Ramon Urias. Heading into Monday, Mateo has slashed .350/.409/.800 with one stolen base across eight Grapefruit League games.

Pena slugged his first two spring homers in Sunday's game against the Nationals, raising his line to .389/.421/.778 through 19 plate appearances.

He was already locked into the starting shortstop role, but this is going to give him some extra helium heading into the season. After hitting .287/.346/.598 with 10 homers and five steals in just 30 Triple-A games last year, Pena looks primed for success at the big-league level. He could even lead off for the Astros, which would obviously be a boon for him fantasy-wise. Despite his potential, the hype arguably hasn't caught up, so you can still snag him off the wire or late in fantasy drafts in a lot of leagues.

Bichette went 1-for-4 with a run scored and a stolen base in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.

He swiped third base off Luis Gil in the third inning, forcing a wild throw from the right-hander that allowed Bichette to trot home. The 24-year-old shortstop hasn't seen great results at the plate this spring, going 5-for-27 (.185) with only one extra-base hit, but he's stolen two bags in two attempts and his 4:8 BB:K is solid. After recording 29 homers and 25 steals in 2021, Bichette has a 30/30 campaign firmly in his sights this season.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Monday that Mateo is battling stomach soreness, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Hyde noted that the Orioles don't believe Mateo is dealing with any sort of oblique injury, but the 26-year-old will be sent in for further testing before his availability for Opening Day is determined. Mateo looks set to feature frequently at shortstop this season, though his .236/.281/.364 slash line through his first 237 career MLB plate appearances means he's no lock to keep the job.

Bogaerts (general soreness) will start at shortstop and bat third in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

He'll return to the lineup for the first time in four days after the Red Sox rested him while he dealt with general body soreness. The missed action shouldn't hinder Bogaerts too much from a readiness standpoint ahead of Opening Day; he's already logged 16 at-bats in Grapefruit League play heading into Monday's contest.

Smith, who's been competing with Sheldon Neuse for the third base job, could still make the Opening Day roster alongside his teammate, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

It's virtually inconceivable that Neuse doesn't break camp with the Athletics after yet another stellar day at the plate Sunday that included a grand slam and pushed his Cactus League average to .379. However, Smith hasn't exactly underwhelmed himself, hitting .333 (12-for-36) with three doubles, three home runs and 10 RBI across 15 exhibitions. Additionally, both he and Neuse can play multiple positions in the infield, which Gallegos notes certainly ups the chances of both making the Opening Day roster.