MLB Player News

Baez (hamstring) is in the lineup for Saturday's Cactus League game against the Indians, playing second base and batting second.

Cubs manager Joe Maddon said Thursday that Baez would return to the lineup Saturday, so the young infielder seems right on schedule in his return from a tight hamstring. Baez hasn't played in nine days, but the Cubs were just being overly cautious, and he should be good to go for Opening Day.

Camargo (back) could remain sidelined until March 22 or 23 as the Braves exercise caution with him, Gabriel Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The original plan was to have Camargo rejoin the lineup after the Braves' off day March 20, but manager Brian Sntiker indicated Thursday that his return could be delayed by another couple of days. The third baseman could take some swings off a tee this weekend, after which his timetable should become clearer, but Camargo already has 33 spring plate appearances under his belt and the organization is in no hurry to rush him back onto the field.

Seager (elbow) went 1-for-3 with his first home run of spring training Thursday against the Royals.

The slugging shortstop has looked more like himself over his past two contests, going 3-for-6 with a double, a homer and four RBI after starting off spring training mired in a 2-for-18 slump (due in large part to his minor elbow injury). It was odd to see Seager hit in the designated hitter spot Thursday after making two successful starts at short in minor-league camp over the past three days. Perhaps the Dodgers didn't want to push him following his first extended action in the field this season. Whatever the case, Seager stated that he is over the elbow issues that plagued him early on, confirming his availability for Opening Day to David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports on Wednesday. Assuming there are no setbacks, owners who gambled on his health in earlier drafts appear to have received a bit of a discount on a premier fantasy shortstop.

Manager Joe Madden said that Baez (hamstring) will return to action Saturday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The young infielder was hoping to return Thursday, but the Cubs will instead ease him into action a couple days later. Regardless of his exact return date, it seems like Baez will be healthy heading into the regular season.

The Dodgers renewed Seager's contract Wednesday, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Seager is not yet eligible for arbitration, so Los Angeles was able to assign him a salary of $605,000. The 23-year-old shortstop slashed .295/.375/.479 through 145 games a season ago, and appears ready for Opening Day.

Rojas went 2-for-3 with a run scored in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets.

The 29-year-old hasn't had a particularly good spring and best profiles as a utility infielder in the majors, but with J.T. Riddle (shoulder) potentially beginning the season on the DL, Rojas remains the favorite to start at shortstop for the Marlins on Opening Day. His .250/.282/.355 slash line in 2017 gives a clear picture of his very limited fantasy ceiling even if he's seeing regular playing time, however.

Seager said his elbow feels good and there is no question that he'll be ready to go by Opening Day, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

This is encouraging news, as the elbow issue that limited Seager early on in camp appears to be fully in his rear-view mirror. The 23-year-old was able to play seven innings at shortstop during a minor-league contest Wednesday -- his second such appearance in the past three days -- and reported no issues afterwards. Seager's next step remains unclear, but he's on track to be fully operation by the start of the season.

O'Malley is sidelined with a broken left hand, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

No word has come forth as to when the injury cropped up, but the injury has limited him to just 15 at-bats this spring. O'Malley hopes to have the cast removed from his hand later this week, but it will still be tough for him to take part in many baseball activities for the time being. This all but rules him out from landing an active roster spot out of camp, leaving him to dwell as an organizational depth piece once again this season.

Castro seems to be in line for a roster spot to start the season if Pat Valaika (oblique) isn't healthy by then, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Castro's bat offers little fantasy upside (.217/.250/.265 slash line in 239 career MLB plate appearances), but his positional versatility makes him a good candidate to fill a bench role for Colorado. He offers significantly more real-life value than fantasy value.

Baez (hamstring) is hopeful that will receive some at-bats against Arizona on Thursday and subsequently play the field Friday or Saturday, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

The Cubs will continue to take it easy with Baez, but it doesn't appear as though there's too much concern over his status moving forward. Expect to see him back on the field this weekend barring any sort of setback.