MLB Player News

Swanson went 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI in Friday's Cactus League game against the Guardians.

Swanson, who has appeared in only two Cactus League games so far, mustered his first long ball of the spring slate Friday. The veteran shortstop shouldn't need a ton of work to get ready for the regular season, and he'll look to build on the 24 home runs and 77 RBI he tallied across 159 regular-season games for the Cubs in 2025. Swanson did say earlier this month that he is willing to swap some power for more contact in 2026. He's batted below .245 in each of his three seasons in Chicago but hit .277 in 2022 with Atlanta, so there could be room for improvement in this category, though his homer total might decrease as a result.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said that Kessinger will get imaging done after suffering a left knee injury in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals, SNY Mets reports.

Mendoza noted that the injury "didn't look too good," but the club will wait for MRI results before determining a plan for Kessinger. Kessinger seemed to have a chance to make the Opening Day roster in the event that Francisco Lindor (hand) isn't ready, but Kessinger is now facing a possible extended absence.

Griffin (foot) is starting at shortstop and batting eighth in Friday's Grapefruit League contest versus the Orioles.

Griffin was lifted from his last game Wednesday as a precaution after being hit on the foot by a pitch, but he's fine. This is the top prospect's first Grapefruit League start since he swatted a pair of home runs Tuesday against the Red Sox. Griffin is competing for the Pirates' Opening Day shortstop gig.

Fernandez went 1-for-3 with a home run, three RBI and an additional run scored in Thursday's spring game against Kansas City.

Fernandez homered for a second consecutive game, and all four of his Cactus League hits have gone for extra bases (.813 slugging). The 22-year-old, who hasn't played above the Double-A level, was added to the 40-man roster during the offseason. "We know there's still more growing he needs to do but driving baseballs the way he is ... we know he's been coming on quick and we're paying a lot of attention to him," Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. A shortstop coming up through the system, Fernandez is also seeing time at third base and has played three games there this spring.

Saggese is drawing his first-ever start in left field in Thursday's Grapefruit League contest versus the Astros, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Saggese has never played the outfield as a professional but is getting a crash course there during spring training. He's expected to soon receive a start in center field, as well, before departing Cardinals camp in order to play for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic. St. Louis has been on the hunt for a right-handed-hitting outfielder, but they signed righty infielder Ramon Urias instead, in part because they like how Saggese and Jose Fermin have looked in the outfield this spring. With Lars Nootbaar (heels) likely headed for a stint on the injured list to begin the season, Saggese could see some playing time in left field early on.

Made went 2-for-2 with a triple, an RBI and a run in Wednesday's spring game.

Made got his feet wet with the Brewers last spring, but he has already racked up both more at-bats and hits than he did throughout the last exhibition season. The 18-year-old is destined to start the season in the minors after just reaching the Double-A level late in 2024, but he is one of the top prospects in all of baseball, and he could be ready to make an impact at the top level in 2027.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Wednesday that there's no timetable for when Miller (back) will resume swinging a bat, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Miller has been receiving treatment for lower-back soreness and is ramping up his activity level in the weight room. However, with no timeline for when he'll be allowed to hit again, it sounds like it could be a while before we see the top prospect in Grapefruit League action. Miller entered camp as a long shot to make the Phillies' Opening Day roster, and the back injury makes it close to a foregone conclusion that he's ticketed for Triple-A Lehigh Valley to begin the campaign.

Griffin was removed from Wednesday's Grapefruit League game versus Atlanta as a precaution after being hit on the foot by a pitch, Jose Negron of DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.

Griffin did not start the game but was struck on the foot by a Hayden Harris offering in the top of the seventh inning in what turned out to be his lone plate appearance of the day. He initially stayed in to run the bases but did not come out to play shortstop in the bottom of the frame. Griffin told reporters after the game that "I'm good," so it doesn't seem he will miss much, if any, time. The top prospect is competing for the Pirates' starting shortstop job.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said that Lindor had his stitches removed from his left hand Tuesday and could begin some "impact" activities within 2-to-3 days, Max Goodman of NJ.com reports.

Mendoza added that Lindor has experienced no complications since undergoing surgery two weeks ago to repair a stress reaction in his left hamate bone, and the star shortstop appears poised to begin a hitting progression in the coming days. Though it could take a bit of time for Lindor to regain his power coming off the procedure, he should be in good shape to avoid a stint on the injured list to begin the season so long as he's not dealing with any discomfort as he increases his baseball activities.

De La Cruz went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Tuesday's spring game against the Royals.

De La Cruz belted his first spring homer and has three extra-base hits in his two Cactus League appearances. It's a promising sign for the dynamic De La Cruz, who has enjoyed protection from Eugenio Suarez batting behind him. Suarez followed De La Cruz's blast with his own homer and is expected to bat cleanup behind De La Cruz in the regular season.