MLB Player News

Diamondbacks farm director Shaun Larkin said that Lawlar will undergo surgery Thursday to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb and could have a "full return to baseball activity in 8-to-10 weeks," Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Lawlar, the organization's top prospect, was optioned to Triple-A Reno on March 10, but he could have put himself on the radar for an early-season call-up if he had gotten off to a hot start at the plate during the Pacific Coast League season. However, after jamming his thumb and tearing a ligament while trying to field a ball off the ground with his throwing hand during a minor-league spring training game Sunday, Lawlar now looks like he'll be sidelined until at least early June while he recovers from surgery. The injury shouldn't dramatically alter Lawlar's long-term outlook in dynasty leagues, but it makes him a tough player to stash in redraft formats since he'll be headed for a multi-month absence to begin the season.

Nunez is expected to begin the season on the 26-man roster after Trey Lipscomb was reassigned to minor-league camp Tuesday.

A Rule 5 pick from the Marlins, Nunez was a favorite to win a bench role when camp began, but Lipscomb's big spring created some uncertainty on how the Nationals would configure their infield. The 23-year-old Nunez stole 52 bases in 59 attempts at Double-A last season but slashed only .224/.341/.286, so he'll likely be limited to pinch-running duties in 2024 if he's able to stick on the big-league roster all year rather than being offered back to Miami.

McLain underwent surgery Tuesday to repair cartilage damage and the labrum in his left shoulder, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall said that while the team hopes to get McLain back at some point this season, the timetable for this type of surgery has a wide range of possibilities. Fantasy managers in redraft leagues that had stashed McLain with the hope of a quick return from the injured list probably shouldn't be counting on him being a major contributor this season and may be better off using his roster spot elsewhere. With McLain out indefinitely, Jonathan India is once again poised to be Cincinnati's regular second baseman.

Adames went 5-for-7 (.714) with three home runs, six RBI, six runs and a walk over his last two spring games.

Adames recorded at least one hit in all but four of the 15 games he appeared in this spring, and he capped off the exhibition season in fine fashion with a three-homer game and another multi-hit effort. Adames is locked in as Milwaukee's starting shortstop and figures to occupy a spot in the middle third of the batting order.

Crawford (hand) is starting at shortstop and batting eighth for the Cardinals in Tuesday's exhibition game versus the Cubs, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Crawford missed a little time with some soreness in his hand after being hit by a pitch, but he's on track for Opening Day now after getting one final tune-up Tuesday. The veteran infielder is poised to serve as Masyn Winn's backup at shortstop in 2024.

Crawford (hand) took batting practice Monday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

As long as he doesn't experience any lingering effects with the hand injury he suffered just over a week ago, Crawford will return to play in the Cardinals' exhibition finale Tuesday against the Cubs. Assuming health, he's slated to serve as a backup shortstop for the Cards this season.

Reds manager David Bell said that McLain (shoulder) will be evaluated Monday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The specific diagnosis and seriousness of McLain's left shoulder injury remains something of a mystery, but it sounds like more clarity should come later Monday. He's already been ruled out for Opening Day, and Bell had said previously that surgery is potentially on the table for the infielder.

Iglesias is expected to report to Triple-A Syracuse after he said Sunday that he doesn't plan to exercise the opt-out clause in his minor-league deal with the Mets, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

After being informed Saturday that he wouldn't be included on the Mets' Opening Day roster, Iglesias looked like a candidate to request a release that would allow him to sign elsewhere, but he'll instead stick around in the organization a little longer to begin the season. If a promotion to the majors isn't imminent in the first few weeks of the minor-league season, however, Iglesias could change his mind and pursue an opportunity elsewhere.

Tovar agreed to a contract extension with the Rockies on Sunday, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

According to Alvarez-Montes, it's a seven-year deal that's worth up to $84 million. The 22-year-old posted plus-13 defensive runs saved in 153 games as a rookie last season, and he also had a decent showing at the plate with 15 homers, 11 steals, 73 RBI, 79 runs and a .253/.287/.408 slash line.

Iglesias was informed Saturday that he won't be making the Mets' Opening Day roster, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Iglesias signed a minor-league contract with the Mets in December that included an invitation to spring training. He posted a respectable .294/.333/.471 batting line over 34 at-bats in Grapefruit League play, but the Mets didn't have room for him on the Opening Day roster as a backup infielder.