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  • Giants' Casey Schmitt: Starting spring opener

    Schmitt (wrist) will start at third base and bat sixth during Saturday's Cactus League game against Seattle, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

    After undergoing offseason surgery to remove the carpal boss in his left wrist, Schmitt has officially been cleared for game action ahead of San Francisco's first spring exhibition game. The 26-year-old slashed .237/.305/.401 with 40 RBI and 34 runs scored across 348 plate appearances last season and is expected to begin 2026 as infield depth on the Giants' bench.

  • Jordan Lawlar SS | ARI

    Diamondbacks' Jordan Lawlar: Will start opener in CF

    Lawlar will start in center field in Arizona's Cactus League opener Saturday, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

    This will be Lawlar's first start in center field in a Diamondbacks' uniform. He was given reps in center during winter ball and has been working with outfielders during spring drills. As part of the team's adjustment to being without injured outfielders Corbin Carroll (hand) and Lourdes Gurriel (knee) for rest of spring training, Lawlar is expected to see time in the outfield in camp and into the regular season.

  • Josh H. Smith SS | TEX

    Rangers' Josh Smith: Starts at 2B in opener

    Smith started at second base and went 1-for-2 with a double and a run scored in Friday's spring opener against the Royals.

    After the Rangers traded second baseman Marcus Semien during the offseason, Smith's name was part of the group in line to compete for second base. The super-utility player recently confirmed he's been preparing to play the keystone since Semien's departure from the organization. Smith should be a regular presence in the lineup against right-handers at some position.

  • Michael Arroyo SS | SEA

    Mariners' Michael Arroyo: Homers in spring opener

    Arroyo started at second base and went 2-for-2 with a two-run homer and a double in Friday's Cactus League opener against the Padres.

    Arroyo drove an opposite-field homer off a two-strike pitch from Jagger Haynes in the second inning, giving the Mariners an early 2-0 lead. It was reported earlier in the offseason that Arroyo would transition to the outfield, though he ultimately got the start at second base in Seattle's spring opener. While it remains to be seen where Arroyo will fit in the field long term, his major-league future will ultimately come down to his bat. Arroyo slashed .262/.401/.433 with 17 home runs across 556 plate appearances between High-A and Double-A last year. He should see regular playing time early in Cactus League play before reporting to Team Colombia for the World Baseball Classic.

  • Diamondbacks' Geraldo Perdomo: Three PAs in spring opener

    Perdomo batted second and went 1-for-3 in Friday's Cactus League opener against the Rockies.

    Perdomo should be a regular presence in spring lineups over the next two weeks, before he joins the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. He's expected to bat leadoff against right-handers and second against left-handers for Arizona during the regular season.

  • Orioles' Blaze Alexander: Poised to start at second base

    Alexander is likely to be the Orioles' Opening Day second baseman in place of the injured Jackson Holliday (hand), Brendan Mortensen of MASNSports.com reports.

    Holliday will begin the season on the injured list following hamate surgery, though his absence could be relatively brief. Jordan Westburg (elbow) had been under consideration for a move from third base to second base, but he's now shelved himself for at least the first month of the season. Acquired from the Diamondbacks via trade earlier this month, Alexander slashed .230/.323/.383 with seven homers and four steals over 74 games in 2025.

  • Trey Sweeney SS | DET

    Tigers' Trey Sweeney: Not throwing due to shoulder strain

    Sweeney will have his throwing program paused due to a right shoulder strain, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

    It's unclear when Sweeney might be ready to throw again, much less play in games. The 25-year-old was already lower down in the pecking order at shortstop for the Tigers, and this setback won't help his chances at earning a spot on the Opening Day roster.

  • Marcelo Mayer SS | BOS

    Red Sox's Marcelo Mayer: Not locked into starting job

    Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Friday that Mayer will have to earn his way onto the Opening Day roster, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

    Mayer remains a likely bet to be in Boston's lineup on Opening Day in Cincinnati, but a job will not be handed to him, with Cora noting the young infielder must improve his offense after posting a 80 wRC+ in the majors last season. What position Mayer is likely to fill hasn't been determined yet. The Red Sox had previously indicated a desire to put him at third base, but early on in camp Mayer has mostly played second base, with Caleb Durbin handling the hot corner.

  • Mikey Romero SS | BOS

    Red Sox's Mikey Romero: Impresses coaches thus far

    Red Sox manager Alex Cora on Thursday mentioned Romero as one of the players that has stood out in camp thus far, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports. Most notable to the manager was that Romero used the offseason to bulk up, per Rob Bradford of WEEI.com.

    "You see the physicality of Romero," Cora said. "He's strong, stronger than last year. From me, I want to see him at second base and see how it plays out. He did an amazing job (adding strength) in the offseason." Romero had a fully healthy season in 2025, his first since being selected 24th overall in 2022. The 22-year-old infielder posted a .751 OPS with 17 home runs -- third most in the system -- over 111 games between stops at Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester while seeing time at second base, shortstop and third base. Second base was an unsettled spot for Boston last season, but either Marcelo Mayer or Caleb Durbin should handle those chores in 2026, with the other at third base. Romero, who currently does not have a spot on the 40-man roster, might put himself in contention for a call-up should the Red Sox have a need for an infielder.

  • Dixon Machado SS | CHC

    Dixon Machado: Embarking on coaching career

    The Cubs announced Wednesday that Machado has been named the manager of their rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

    Machado's move into the coaching ranks signals the end to a 17-year professional playing career. The 33-year-old infielder played exclusively at Triple-A Iowa in the Cubs organization last season, but he spent parts of five seasons in the big leagues from 2015 through 2022. Between stops with the Tigers and Giants, Machado slashed .226/.285/.292 with two home runs and three steals over 177 career games.

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