MLB Player News

Hoerner (forearm) will start at second base and bat sixth in Tuesday's exhibition game against Atlanta.

Hoerner will close out the spring having started at the keystone in three of the Cubs' final five games. He has just one hit in six at-bats through his first two starts, but assuming that he's been able to get some additional swings in against live pitching between batting practice and minor-league games, Hoerner looks like he'll be ready to handle an everyday role when the Cubs play their first domestic series of the season later this week in Arizona. While he was still completing his recovery from the flexor tendon surgery he underwent in October, Hoerner wasn't available last week for the Cubs' two-game season-opening series in Tokyo versus the Dodgers, resulting in Jon Berti picking up a pair of starts at second base.

The Giants designated Villar for assignment Tuesday, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

With the Giants needing to clear room on the 40-man roster and 26-man active roster for reliever Lou Trivino, Villar -- who had no minor-league options remaining -- was deemed expendable. Villar owns a respectable .710 OPS and 93 wRC+ over 358 career plate appearances in the big leagues, but as a 28-year-old who is limited defensively to the corner-infield spots, it's unclear if he'll attract much interest from other clubs via trade or waivers.

The Giants selected Trivino's contract from Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Trivino had been in camp as a non-roster invitee and won a gig with a stellar showing in Cactus League play, as he tossed 9.1 scoreless innings with a 10:4 K:BB. The 33-year-old hasn't pitched in the majors since 2022, as he had to overcome Tommy John surgery and also a shoulder issue.

Hodge, who allowed two runs over one inning during Monday's Cactus League game against Atlanta, has a 5.14 ERA and 10 strikeouts across seven frames this spring.

Hodge is missing plenty of bats during the exhibition slate but has otherwise been a bit underwhelming on the mound. It is a small sample, and the young righty should still be a high-leverage reliever for the Cubs once the regular season begins. Hodge figures to work ahead of offseason acquisition Ryan Pressly, though the former will likely still see save opportunities like he did in 2024, particularly if Pressly struggles or gets hurt.

Brasier allowed four runs on four hits while retiring just one batter in Monday's Cactus League game against Atlanta.

It was a nightmarish outing for Brasier, who allowed three home runs among the five batters he faced. The veteran righty now has an 8.31 ERA this spring, and while his spot in Chicago's bullpen should still be secure, it's not the most promising start to his tenure with the team. Brasier figures to get an opportunity to right the ship once the regular season begins and work in a setup role ahead of Ryan Pressly and Porter Hodge, though he could be supplanted by other relievers if his struggles continue.

Wagaman could be in store for steady playing time at third base or designated hitter to begin the season after manager Clayton McCullough announced Tuesday that Connor Norby (oblique) will be out for about four weeks, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Norby's injury will likely pave the way for Graham Pauley to make the Opening Day roster as an extra infielder, but De Nicola relays that the Marlins are likely to lean primarily on Wagaman and Jonah Bride at the third base and DH spots early on. After making his MLB debut with the Angels late last season, the 27-year-old Wagaman was non-tendered in November before signing a one-year deal with Miami. He earned his spot on the Marlins' 26-man active roster after producing a .738 OPS over 53 plate appearances in Grapefruit League play.

Pauley is expected to land the final position player roster spot for the Marlins due to the fact Connor Norby (oblique) is slated for a stint on the 10-day injured list, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Pauley was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville earlier this month, but he has already rejoined the Marlins in Miami for their exhibition game versus the Yankees on Tuesday and is getting the start at third base. He could see some action at the hot corner while Norby misses the next four weeks. Eric Wagaman and Jonah Bride are also candidates to fill in at third base.

Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said Tuesday that Norby will be sidelined four weeks after being diagnosed with a Grade 1 left oblique strain, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

Norby suffered the injury during Grapefruit League play Saturday. With Norby unavailable for the first month or so of the season, the Marlins could use a combination of Eric Wagaman, Jonah Bride and Graham Pauley at third base.

Herz was diagnosed Tuesday with a left elbow UCL sprain, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Herz's velocity was down this spring, which originally attributed to a "dead arm" phase. However, as it turns out, he's dealing with an injury that often requires season-ending UCL surgery, although it's not yet clear whether Herz might try the rest-and-rehab route first. At minimum, the lefty is likely to be out a few months, and in all likelihood, much longer.

Hernandez went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional RBI in Monday's exhibition loss to the Angels.

Hernandez put the Dodgers on the board with a solo shot in the second inning and added an RBI single in the fifth. The veteran outfielder is slashing .289/.357/.526 during the exhibition slate, and he also went 1-for-8 with a walk and an RBI during the Dodgers' season-opening two-game set in Tokyo, Japan against the Cubs. Hernandez re-signed with the World Champions on a three-year deal last December and could see plenty of RBI opportunities batting cleanup behind Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman most games this season.