MLB Player News

Duran could open the season in the short side of a platoon at first base with Jared Walsh while Nathaniel Lowe (oblique) is out, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

Duran might be needed at shortstop instead if Corey Seager (groin) isn't ready, but for now there seems to be optimism Seager can avoid the injured list. The 24-year-old Duran saw action at six different positions for the Rangers in 2023, not including designated hitter, and will fill a utility role again when the rest of the roster is healthy.

Reds manager David Bell said Tuesday that McLain (shoulder) is expected to be fine, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

McLain had to be scratched from Monday's lineup with left shoulder soreness, but it sounds like the Reds were just being cautious. He's tentatively listed to return to action Wednesday, although Bell noted that they might choose to give McLain an additional day just to be safe. McLain has been limited to just five games this spring because of oblique and now shoulder problems, and he's 0-for-13 with seven strikeouts in those contests.

Kessinger suffered a right hamstring strain during Monday's exhibition against Miami, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Kessinger suffered the injury while running the bases, and his availability for the start of the regular season is in jeopardy following this diagnosis. The 26-year-old is expected to be re-evaluated within the next few days to determine his next steps and a potential timetable for a return.

McLain was scratched from Monday's exhibition against the Giants due to left shoulder soreness.

The team notes that this move was merely precautionary, but McLain's status will be worth keeping an eye on over the next few days as the 2024 campaign nears. Yan Contreras will start at shortstop Monday evening in McLain's place.

Atlanta reassigned Williams to minor-league camp Monday.

He was sent to minor-league camp Monday along with David Fletcher, Andrew Velazquez and Eli White, with their demotions suggesting that Forrest Wall has won the final available bench spot on Atlanta's Opening Day roster. Williams slashed .125/.200/.250 over 17 games during Grapefruit League play.

Atlanta reassigned Velazquez to minor-league camp Monday.

He was sent to minor-league camp Monday along with Luke Williams, Eli White and David Fletcher, with their demotions suggesting that Forrest Wall has won the final available bench spot on Atlanta's Opening Day roster. Velazquez slashed .207/.324/.379 with two stolen bases over 15 games during Grapefruit League play.

Atlanta reassigned Fletcher to minor-league camp Monday.

He was sent to minor-league camp Monday along with Luke Williams, Andrew Velazquez and Eli White, with their demotions suggesting that Forrest Wall has won the final available bench spot on Atlanta's Opening Day roster. Fletcher hit .324/.366/.351 over 16 games during Grapefruit League play.

The Rays optioned Basabe to Triple-A Durham on Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Basabe was in competition for a reserve infielder role but never got going this spring (5-for-26). He still figures to spend a good amount of time with the big club this season but for now will go to Durham where he will play with regularity.

Kessinger was pulled from Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins due to right hamstring discomfort, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

He tweaked his hamstring while running the bases. It's unclear at this point whether additional testing is planned, but consider him day-to-day for now. Kissinger is competing for a reserve infielder role with Houston.

Berti got the start at third base and went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets.

Batting leadoff, Berti drew a free pass off a tiring Jose Quintana in the fifth inning, advanced to third on a Dane Myers single and came around to score on a Jesus Sanchez groundout. Berti has seen most of his action this spring at the hot corner but has also played shortstop for a few games, batting .250 (7-for-28) with a 3:9 BB:K and one steal in two attempts. The 34-year-old will fill a utility role in the Marlins' infield again this season, and while his 16-for-22 performance on the basepaths in 2023 was disappointing, he did record an average sprint speed in the 95th percentile. A bounce-back performance in the category isn't out of the question after he led the majors with 41 steals in 2022.