MLB Player News

Anderson is starting in center field and batting seventh in Wednesday's Cactus League game versus the Dodgers, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Anderson has never played an inning in the outfield in pro ball but is attempting to add to his versatility this spring in an effort to make the Angels' Opening Day roster. The two-time All-Star is also competing for reps at shortstop and second base.

Dubon is expected to serve as the Astros' starting second baseman to begin the 2025 season, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The Astros appear serious about playing Jose Altuve in left field, leaving a void at second base. Dubon remains best positioned to take advantage of that, though he has struggled significantly in spring training by failing to pick up a hit in 12 at-bats while striking out four times. McTaggart also noted Brendan Rodgers, Luis Guillorme and Zack Short as potential depth options at second base.

Haggerty (Achilles) will start at second base and bat leadoff in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Reds.

While he was with the Mariners organization last season, Haggerty didn't play after May 18 last season due to a torn right Achilles' tendon that required surgery, but he's made a speedy recovery from the procedure. After inking a minor-league deal with the Rangers over the winter, Haggerty was cleared to make his Cactus League debut Feb. 21, and he'll now see his first action in the infield after making each of his first four spring starts in left field. The 30-year-old switch hitter is competing for a bench spot on the Rangers' Opening Day roster.

Westburg (back) said Wednesday that he's feeling much better and expects to return to the Orioles' lineup Thursday or Friday, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Westburg hasn't played since his team's Grapefruit League opener due to a back issue that he blames on a mattress he slept on being too soft. The infielder has time to get back up to speed ahead of Opening Day.

Priester allowed one run on four hits and one walk while striking out four over 2.2 innings in Tuesday's spring start against the Pirates.

Priester made his third Grapefruit League start on the same day he was mentioned by manager Alex Cora as an option to fill in for Brayan Bello, whose shoulder injury may force him to the injured list for the start of the season. Priester, who worked his pitch count to 46 (30 strikes), owns a 2.70 ERA and 1.80 WHIP with a .320 BAA over 6.2 spring innings.

Smith started in right field and went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Tuesday's spring game against the Athletics.

Smith started at a fifth different position Tuesday -- he's also defended first base, shortstop, third base and center field -- and manager Bruce Bochy plans for him to play all fielding positions except catcher this spring, Shawn McFarland of the Dallas Morning News reports. The home run was Smith's first of the Cactus League, and he's batting .316 (6-for-19) through seven outings.

Dunning allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out one over two innings in Tuesday's spring start against the Athletics.

After a pair of two-inning outings out of the bullpen, Dunning made his first Cactus League start. The Rangers plan to stretch him out and see where Dunning fits on the roster later in March, Shawn McFarland of the Dallas Morning News reports. The 2023 version of Dunning was a valuable starter and earned the team's Pitcher of the Year award, but the right-hander went the other way in 2024 and was removed from the rotation by mid-June.

Kittredge (knee) remains unsure of a timeline for his return to action, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Kittredge reported left knee soreness over the weekend and the discomfort is lingering. The veteran right-hander said that he is waiting for a small amount of inflammation to go down before he resumes activity, at which point a return timetable could come into focus. Signed to a one-year, $10 million contract in January, Kittredge is expected to be in the mix for the occasional save chance early on while closer Felix Bautista (elbow) is eased back into regular action for Baltimore.

Kochanowicz pitched three scoreless innings in a Cactus League contest against Cleveland on Tuesday, allowing three hits and striking out one batter.

Kochanowicz was scratched from his previous start due to an illness, but he looked no worse for wear in his return to the mound. The 24-year-old righty has given up just one earned run while posting a 4:1 K:BB over five innings this spring. Kochanowicz and Reid Detmers are the leading candidates for the Angels' fifth-starter role, with how each pitcher performs in exhibition play likely to determine who gets the job.

Dominguez went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional run Tuesday in a Grapefruit League win over Philadelphia.

Dominguez went deep for the first time this spring with a solo shot to center field in the sixth inning. The 22-year-old has had some defensive struggles in left field this spring, but the Yankees appear committed to giving him an opportunity to be an everyday member of the lineup, possibly as the team's leadoff hitter. Dominguez has posted a .200/.238/.350 slash line with four runs, three RBI and a 1:6 BB:K through seven exhibition contests.