MLB Player News
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Tyler Wade SS | TEX
Rangers' Tyler Wade: Missed out on roster spot
The Rangers informed Wade on Monday that he won't be included on the Opening Day roster, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.
Wade and Mark Canha are two non-roster invitees that lost out on spots, while the Rangers announced Ezequiel Duran, Sam Haggerty and Andrew McCutchen secured bench jobs. Texas hopes Wade is willing to stick with the organization as a depth option at Triple-A Round Rock.
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Jordan Lawlar SS | ARI
Diamondbacks' Jordan Lawlar: Batting ninth
Lawlar started in left field and batted ninth in Monday's spring game against Cleveland. He went 0-for-1 with a walk.
Hitting at the bottom of the order appears to be Lawlar's landing spot, whether he's in left or center field. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo plans for Lawlar and Alek Thomas to toggle between the two positions until Lourdes Gurriel (knee) returns. Lawlar reached base at a .446 clip this spring after posting a .364 OBP last September, which bodes well for his projected deployment out of the No. 9 spot ahead of Ketel Marte, Corbin Carroll and Geraldo Perdomo.
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Jeremy Pena SS | HOU
Astros' Jeremy Pena: To play shortstop Tuesday
Pena (finger) is slated to play shortstop during Tuesday's exhibition, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Pena was cleared for batting practice Monday, and the fact that he's been given the green light to see game action Tuesday is a clear sign he's progressing. If he's able to make it through Tuesday's exhibition without issue, there is certainly a chance he could see his name in the starting lineup for Thursday's opener against the Angels.
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Brooks Lee SS | MIN
Twins' Brooks Lee: Hitting for averge this spring
Lee went 2-for-4 in Monday's spring training win over Boston. He's hitting .308 (16-for-52) with a .743 OPS this spring.
Lee looks set to begin the season as the everyday shortstop. He was underwhelming at the plate last year in his sophomore season with a .655 OPS, though he did hit 16 home runs. He has a good eye at the plate and makes excellent contact (just a 17.5 K%) but struggles to generate power (just a a 28.0% hard-hit rate). It's not clear if he'll have the glove to stick at shortstop as he was -8 in Defensive Runs Saved last season, so it's a big season for Lee to show he can be a building block for the next Twins playoff team.
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Kevin McGonigle SS | DET
Tigers' Kevin McGonigle: Still vying for Opening Day spot
McGonigle remains an option for Detroit's Opening Day roster, and the Tigers could take the decision down to the wire, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.
The fact that McGonigle hasn't been reassigned to the minors yet seems to suggest he's still in the mix for an Opening Day role, though manager A.J. Hinch said no decisions have been made. The Tigers kick off their season Thursday in San Diego, and they may take all the time they can to make final roster moves. If McGonigle does make the team out of camp, he could push someone like Wenceel Perez or Parker Meadows to the minors, with veteran Javier Baez sliding into a utility role and McGonigle ultimately seeing a lot of time at shortstop. The 21-year-old has a ton of potential, and it's just a matter of time until he's showcasing his talent at the MLB level.
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Matt McLain SS | CIN
Reds' Matt McLain: Overcoming illness
McLain will not play in Monday's exhibition game versus the Brewers due to illness, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
McLain caught a flu bug that made its way around the Reds' clubhouse, but the team anticipates the second baseman playing in Tuesday's exhibition finale. The 26-year-old is slated to open the 2026 campaign as the Reds' two-hole hitter.
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Jeremy Pena SS | HOU
Astros' Jeremy Pena: Takes batting practice Monday
Pena (finger) took batting practice on the field at Daikin Park in Houston on Monday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Pena traveling with the Astros to Houston rather than stay back in extended spring training is certainly a good sign as he attempts to avoid the injured list and be in the Opening Day lineup. The 28-year-old has not played in a game setting since fracturing his right ring finger in an exhibition contest nearly three weeks ago. If the Astros decide to give Pena more time to heal, they will use Carlos Correa at shortstop and Isaac Paredes at third base.
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Luis Vazquez SS | BAL
Orioles' Luis Vazquez: Out with broken thumb
Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said Monday that Vazquez has been diagnosed with a broken right thumb, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.
An X-ray confirmed the thumb fracture, which Vazquez suffered when he was hit by a pitch in Sunday's game against the Nationals. Vazquez also required stitches to seal a wound on his hand. A timeline for Vazquez's return will likely depend on whether or not he requires surgery, but regardless, the thumb injury removes the 26-year-old from consideration for a reserve infield role on the Orioles' Opening Day roster. Vazquez is expected to open the season on Triple-A Norfolk's injured list.
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C.J. Abrams SS | WAS
Nationals' CJ Abrams: Heating up late in camp
Abrams went 1-for-4 in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles.
The 25-year-old shortstop is batting a tepid .244 (10-for-41) this spring with zero homers and just one steal in two attempts, but Abrams appears to be finding a groove as the Grapefruit League schedule wraps up. He's hit safely in five straight games, going 6-for-15 (.400) with a double, a triple and a 1:2 BB:K during that stretch. This could be a critical campaign for Abrams, who has yet to fully capitalize on his athletic tools despite averaging 19 homers and 36.3 steals over the last three seasons.
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Ernie Clement SS | TOR
Blue Jays' Ernie Clement: Swipes bag Sunday
Clement went 1-for-4 with a run scored and a stolen base in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays.
Getting the start at second base and batting second, Clement swiped third base in the fourth inning after a leadoff single, his first stolen base of the spring. After being deployed as a super-utility player in 2025 and playing at least 15 games at all four infield positions, the 30-year-old will get a crack at the full-time job at the keystone this season on the heels of a .277/.313/.398 slash line with nine homers and six steals in 157 contests.