MLB Player News

Manager Terry Francona said Monday that McLain will bat second in the order this season, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

It's not unexpected, but it's notable confirmation from Francona. McLain, of course, started out last season batting second but was hitting under .200 until late June and was quickly bumped down to the nine spot in the lineup. The 26-year-old, however, has been swinging a scorching hot bat this spring, slashing .553/.605/1.105 with six home runs, 13 RBI, 15 runs scored, two stolen bases and a 5:4 BB:K across 43 plate appearances. He's been a fast riser up fantasy draft boards and appears set to hit in front of Elly De La Cruz this season.

Lindor (hand) played four innings at shortstop while making his spring debut in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays, but afterwards he wouldn't commit to being ready for Opening Day despite saying that he has "checked every single box," Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The 32-year-old went 1-for-3 with a run scored and a strikeout in his first game action since undergoing surgery in mid-February to repair a fractured hamate bone in his left hand. Lindor will continue ramping up toward playing a full game, and he certainly appears to be trending toward being available for the start of the regular season, even though that's not yet official.

Koss went 2-for-3 with a run scored in Saturday's 8-7 Cactus League loss to the Diamondbacks.

Koss singled in the fourth inning and came around to score before adding another single in the sixth. He's gotten on base frequently through 13 Cactus League appearances, slashing .423/.545/.423 with six runs scored, six RBI and a stolen base across 33 plate appearances during that span. The 28-year-old appears likely to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster in a utility role after making his big-league debut with the Giants last season, though Tyler Fitzgerald also remains in the mix for that role.

The Marlins announced Sunday that Acosta has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 left oblique strain and is expected to be out for 3-4 weeks, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Acosta already looked to be facing an uphill battle to make the Opening Day roster, and the injury he suffered last week will bring an end to any chance he had. Once he heals up and resumes full baseball activities, the 23-year-old infielder will report to a minor-league affiliate for a rehab assignment. Acosta has two minor-league options remaining, so he could end up sticking around at Triple-A Jacksonville once he completes the rehab assignment and gets activated from the injured list.

Hamilton went 1-for-3 with a home run and four RBI in Saturday's spring game against the Rockies.

Hamilton started at third base in Saturday's contest and hit his first long ball of the spring. He has seen time at the hot corner and shortstop during the exhibition season and can play second base as well, so he figures to fill a utility role for the Brewers. Hamilton has elite stolen-base potential, but the lack of a regular role puts a limit on his fantasy upside.

Lindor (hand) will start at shortstop and bat leadoff in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays.

Lindor's availability for Opening Day looked to be in doubt after he required surgery Feb. 11 to address a fractured hamate bone in his left hand, but the five-time All-Star has made excellent progress in his recovery. After he was able to resume playing shortstop in a minor-league game earlier in the week, Lindor took live batting practice Friday, setting him up for Sunday's spring debut. Assuming he's able to stockpile at-bats over the final week of Grapefruit League play, Lindor looks like he'll be available when the Mets begin their season March 26 versus the Pirates.

Lindor (hand) took batting practice on the field Friday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

It's the first time since Lindor underwent right hamate bone surgery at the start of Mets camp that he went through a full round of batting practice on the field. After BP, Lindor faced fellow rehabber A.J. Minter (lat) in a live batting practice session. It's not clear when Lindor might be cleared to play in games, but everything is pointing toward him being available Opening Day against the Pirates.

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Thursday that Lawlar will get some looks in the corner outfield before spring training is over, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

Lawlar has seen time in center field during Cactus League action, but with Alek Thomas set to return from the World Baseball Classic after Team Mexico was eliminated, that path to playing time will dwindle. Lourdes Gurriel (knee) will be out until at least mid-April, so Lawlar could get opportunities in both center and left field when the regular season opens. He's hit well this spring, posting a .323/.432/.742 slash line with four home runs and six walks over 10 games, and he could add a speed-power dynamic to the bottom third of the order.

Turner went 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against Toronto.

Turner finally broke out of his spring slump a bit, but he's still gone just 4-for-24 (.167) with a trio of doubles and RBI over nine Grapefruit League contests thus far. It's not yet settled if Turner will open the season batting first or second in Philadelphia's lineup, but he's all set to reprise his role as the Phillies' everyday shortstop in 2026 either way. Last year, the All-Star recorded 36 stolen bases, his most since 2018, while hitting .304 with 15 homers, 69 RBI and 94 runs scored and over 589 regular-season at-bats.

Shaw played first base for the first time in his career during Wednesday's Cactus League contest, and he could be a contingency option there for the Cubs during the regular season, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

The third baseman is adding to his defensive acumen in an effort to grow into more of a super-utility role for the Cubs, though he had to borrow Carson Kelly's first baseman's glove to try out the new position Wednesday. With Tyler Austin (knee) set to miss a few months, Chicago is looking for added versatility off the bench, and Shaw would give the Cubs some depth behind starter Michael Busch if he can hold his own at first. Shaw almost exclusively played third base as a rookie last year, with a handful of appearances at second, but he's already played in right field, center field and now first so far this spring. It seems like the 24-year-old could play regularly for the Cubs across the diamond in 2026 even without a regular starting position.