MLB Player News

Lux started at third base and went 1-for-2 with a double, a stolen base and a run scored in Sunday's spring game against Seattle.

Lux got the Reds on the board in the second inning. He doubled, stole third base and went home after an errant throw. Lux is not known as a prolific base stealer, but he's been successful on all three attempts over 14 games this spring. He's moved around the diamond during the Cactus League, including time in the outfield, but Lux could hold down a regular gig at third base in the regular season.

Sweeney "appears poised to open the season as the primary shortstop" for the Tigers, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Sweeney had just a .642 OPS for the Tigers down the stretch of last regular season and has only a .611 OPS so far this spring. However, Detroit likes his glove at shortstop and the club is also lacking alternatives, so Sweeney is slated to see most of the reps at shortstop to open the season, at least against right-handed pitching.

Hampson started in left field and went 1-for-2 with a walk, a stolen base and two RBI in Sunday's spring game against San Diego.

Hampson remains in the mix for the final rotation spot along with Ildemaro Vargas and Jordan Lawlar. The Diamondbacks likely want a utility player, which precludes Lawlar, who doesn't offer much position versatility at this point. Plus, it's unlikely the organization wants the prospect sitting on a bench in the majors. That leaves Hampson (.738 OPS, two steals, seven RBI, 13 spring games) and Vargas (.971 OPS, five extra-base hits, seven RBI, 15 games) as the most likely competitors for the 26th spot on the roster.

Anderson might be the Angels' Opening Day starter at second base due to Yoan Moncada (thumb) being a question mark for the beginning of the season, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Moncada may be destined for the IL due to a thumb injury, which would likely mean that Luis Rengifo will become the starter at the hot corner at the beginning of the campaign. That could open up the second-base job for Anderson, who has been getting some reps at the keystone this spring despite playing only two regular-season games there to this point in his nine years in the big leagues. If the second-base role does become available, Christian Moore and Scott Kingery, among others, could also be candidates for the position, but Anderson has done enough this spring to have his name called, as he's slashing .243/.300/.351 with a home run and two stolen bases over 40 plate appearances.

Crawford is batting just .214 with one home run and two RBI over 28 at-bats in the Cactus League, but he enters the 2025 season with a clean bill of health, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Following an injury-plagued season that saw him deal with an oblique strain and a fractured hand, Crawford is looking to put his tough 2024 campaign behind him. "I couldn't get in a rhythm and every time I started to hit good, those injuries popped up," Crawford said this past Monday. "It pretty much hurt every time I swung the bat." However, the 30-year-old infielder believes he's "in a great spot" health-wise this spring, and he's set to reprise his role as Seattle's everyday shortstop after hitting a career-low .202 across just 105 games last season.

Tena is competing with Trey Lipscomb for an infield utility job and has a .156/.206/.219 slash line through 11 Grapefruit League games.

The pair appeared poised to battle for the starting job at third base to begin camp, but the Nationals then signed Paul DeJong in mid-February. Tena had a .652 in 44 games between the Guardians and Nationals last season, and he's struggled to get on track during spring action.

The Cardinals optioned Saggese on Sunday, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Saggese reached the big leagues last September but struggled in his limited action with the Cardinals, slashing .204/.250/.306 over 52 plate appearances. The 22-year-old will get some more development time at Triple-A to begin the upcoming season, but he'll likely rank near the top of the list for a call-up if St. Louis requires an extra infielder at any point.

Arias went 1-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Saturday's spring game against Kansas City.

Arias launched his second Cactus League home run and has hits in five of his last six outings. Part of the competition for the starting job at second base, Arias may be leading the race, although Tyler Freeman has hit the best of the quartet with a .333/.419/.630 slash line in 31 plate appearances. Juan Brito and Angel Martinez are also in the mix.

Mateo (elbow) is starting at shortstop and batting seventh in Sunday's split-squad game against the Phillies, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Mateo underwent UCL reconstruction surgery on his left (non-throwing) elbow in late August and will be making his first start of spring training. The 29-year-old hasn't officially been ruled out for Opening Day, but manager Brandon Hyde recently said Mateo is unlikely to be available.

Dezenzo could make the Astros' Opening Day roster, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Dezenzo has racked up 33 at-bats and 34 plate appearances this spring while playing a combination of first base and both corner outfield spots. He's struck out at a 26.5 percent clip but also has four extra-base hits, and manager Joe Espada has noted the positive overall impression Dezenzo has made on the club. Even so, the status of Christian Walker (oblique) could ultimately dictate Dezenzo's fate to begin the campaign.