MLB Player News

McLain will be sidelined for the next 5-to-7 days after tweaking his right oblique, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

It's the same oblique which caused a premature end to McLain's rookie season. An MRI came back clean, and Reds manager David Bell expressed confidence that McLain should be ready by the time Opening Day rolls around. However, more clarity on the young infielder's condition should be available following the 5-to-7 day shutdown period.

Arizona general manager Mike Hazen said Lawlar would need consistent at-bats if he were to make the Opening Day roster, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Lawlar was left off Gilbert's initial roster projection, which generated pushback from unhappy readers. Gilbert explained his projection was based on the language used by Hazen regarding the Diamondbacks' prospect. It's natural for the organization to give Lawlar a path to consistent playing time, but that's unlikely to happen if he's backing up Geraldo Perdomo at shortstop -- manager Torey Lovullo confirmed Perdomo would be the starter last week -- and Eugenio Suarez at third base. Given that scenario, it makes sense for the Diamondbacks to have Lawlar play everyday at Triple-A Reno, where he had just 80 plate appearances in 2023.

Williams will get work in big-league camp at both shortstop and center field, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

With Francisco Lindor signed through 2031, Williams will likely have to move off shortstop when he gets to the majors. The Mets also indicated the 20-year-old top prospect would not get reps at second base this spring, so it looks as though center field will be his eventual defensive home. "I don't really care," Williams said Friday. "Whatever gets me to the big leagues the fastest." In his first full professional season after being selected with the 14th overall pick in 2022, Williams slashed .263/.425/.451 in 121 games across three levels last year with 13 homers and 45 steals, finishing the campaign at Double-A Binghamton. He'll likely spend most of 2024 in the high minors, but a late-season debut in the majors would set him up to replace Harrison Bader in center for the Mets in 2025.

Lux has been cleared to ditch the heavy knee brace he had been wearing on his surgically repaired right knee, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

He is still wearing a compression sleeve, however. Lux missed the entire 2023 season following surgery to repair the ACL and LCL in his knee, but he's full-go this spring and is slated to open the season as the Dodgers' starting shortstop.

Manager Torey Luvollo said Friday that Perdomo will begin the season as Arizona's primary shortstop, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.comreports.

Top prospect Jordan Lawlar made his MLB debut last season and will soon receive an extended look in the big leagues, but Perdomo's .712 OPS during the regular season last year and .754 OPS during the playoffs will help him keep the starting gig at shortstop for now. Perdomo totaled six home runs, 47 RBI, 71 runs and 16 steals in 144 contests, and he has a limited fantasy ceiling.

Schmitt is in the mix to be the Giants' starting shortstop, though he begins the spring behind Marco Luciano on the depth chart, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Schmitt is a versatile defender who could also slot in at second base or third base. He appeared in 90 games for the Giants as a rookie last season, posting a .206/.255/.324 slash line with five home runs, 30 RBI, 28 runs scored, 15 doubles and two stolen bases. Schmitt could end up being a utility option, but his strong defense should allow him to open the season in the majors.

Manager Mike Shildt announced Friday that Bogaerts will move to second base this season while Ha-Seong Kim takes over at shortstop, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

Kim is viewed as the superior defender and won a Gold Glove at the keystone last year, and the Padres new skipper didn't waste any time moving to shore up his defense at a premier position. An eventual move off shortstop always seemed inevitable after Bogaerts joined the team on an 11-year, $280-million contract in December of 2022, but it's a bit of a surprise the transition is happening so soon. Bogaerts' fantasy value for 2024 should rise a bit thanks to dual-position eligibility after he posted a .285/.350/.440 slash line with 19 home runs and 19 steals last season.

McLain is expected to be the Reds' primary second baseman when the season starts, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

McLain played mostly at shortstop in 2023 but made 34 starts at second base, mostly as a replacement when Jonathan India (foot) was sidelined. McLain is considered a plus defender at both middle infield positions. The move to second appears likely, as the club revealed its plans to have Elly De La Cruz focus mostly on shortstop -- he had also played third base last season. As for India, who was the primary second baseman last season, he'll add first and third base to his resume and possibly left field.

Castillo was designated for assignment by the Phillies on Tuesday.

Castillo was claimed off waivers by Philly early last week but won't stick on the 40-man roster. The 26-year-old spent last season at the Triple-A level and had an .841 OPS in 124 contests. Kaleb Ort, who was claimed off waivers from the Marlins, will take Castillo's place on the Phillies' roster.

Reds manager David Bell said Tuesday that De La Cruz will focus on playing shortstop during spring training, Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

De La Cruz was used at third base in addition to shortstop during his time with the Reds last season, but the plan is for him to settle in at short this spring and during the regular season. Also worth noting is that the switch hitter has shortened his leg kick from both sides of the plate in hopes that it will help cut down on strikeouts. De La Cruz slashed .235/.300/.410 with 13 home runs, 35 stolen bases and a 33.7 percent strikeout rate over 427 plate appearances with Cincinnati in 2023.