MLB Player News

Padres manager Mike Shildt said Tuesday that Cronenworth playing first base this season is not currently "on the radar," Sammy Levitt of 97.3 The Fan reports.

Cronenworth split time pretty evenly between first and second base last year, logging 80 starts at first and 66 at the keystone. However, the Padres are planning to deploy Luis Arraez on a near-everyday basis at first base in 2025 while allowing Cronenworth to settle in at second. That won't affect Cronenworth's eligibility in most fantasy formats this year, but if things go as planned, it's reasonable for those in dynasty and keeper leagues to anticipate him losing first-base eligibility in 2026. Despite the narrowing of where he'll play in the field, Cronenworth is expected to continue to be an everyday player for the Padres this season after slashing .241/.324/.390 with 17 homers, 83 RBI, 72 runs and five stolen bases over 653 plate appearances last year.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Friday that Holmes will start Opening Day in Houston, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

He might not have been the choice if the Mets' rotation was fully healthy, but Holmes has earned the nod with a dominant spring that's seen him post a 13:4 K:BB over 9.2 scoreless innings. Holmes is making the move from bullpen to rotation this season after being used exclusively as a reliever since 2019.

Bailey went 1-for 2 with a double and two RBI in Wednesday's 7-3 Cactus League loss to the Rangers. He is now batting .261 (6-for-23) with one home run and three RBI this spring.

Bailey has registered a .261/.292/.435 slash line in nine appearances this spring, not particularly impressive numbers by Cactus League standards. The 25-year-old is set to serve as the club's everyday catcher after winning his first Gold Glove during the 2024 campaign, which was his second season in the majors. Over two seasons with the Giants, Bailey has recorded a middling .234/.292/.348 slash line.

X-rays on Riley's right hand came back negative, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Riley had to exit Friday's Grapefruit League tilt versus the Nationals following a hit by pitch. While it appears for now that he has avoided any fractures, Bowman notes it was a CT scan that found a fracture in his right hand last season after an X-ray didn't turn up anything. Riley will receive a CT scan next.

The Diamondbacks optioned Kessinger to Triple-A Reno on Friday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

The 27-year-old was acquired from the Astros during the offseason after being designated for assignment, and he had a solid showing at the plate during spring training with a .294/.391/.353 slash line in 23 plate appearances. Kessinger is likely to spent most of 2025 with Reno but could receive a look in the big leagues if Arizona suffers some infield injuries.

The Diamondbacks optioned Barrosa to Triple-A Reno on Friday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Barrosa has slashed .320/.433/.480 in 11 Cactus League games this spring but has also struck out 10 times in 30 plate appearances. Given Arizona's outfield depth, the 24-year-old never had much of a chance to make the Opening Day roster.

The Diamondbacks optioned Henry to Triple-A Reno on Friday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

The left-hander entered camp with long odds of cracking Arizona's Opening Day rotation, and he'll head to Triple-A after giving up six earned runs over 7.1 frames in Cactus League action. Henry had a 7.04 ERA across 38.1 major-league innings last year and could serve as a spot starter or long reliever for the Diamondbacks at some point this season.

Riley was removed from Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals as a precaution after being hit by a pitch on the right hand.

The hit-by-pitch was a scary moment for Atlanta and Riley, who sustained a fracture in the same hand last August that cost him the rest of the 2024 season. It's encouraging that the organization labeled his exit as a precaution, but the team will likely send him for medical imaging to get a clearer diagnosis.

Harper said recently that he would be willing to move back to right field if the Phillies were able to acquire an impact first baseman at the trade deadline, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic reported this week that Harper told the Phillies over the offseason he would be open to shifting to the outfield if the club could acquire a marquee first baseman. That never came close to happening, but the offer remains on the table should an opportunity present itself. Harper has turned himself into an excellent defensive first baseman and will, in all likelihood, remain at that position over the long haul, but having the flexibility and willingness to move back to right field could come in handy, both for the Phillies and for anyone with fantasy shares in the 32-year-old star.

The Brewers optioned Hicklen to Triple-A Nashville on Friday.

Hicklen appeared in 11 Cactus League games, going 4-for-20 with two doubles and eight strikeouts. He's played in nine big-league games since debuting in 2022 and isn't likely to see significant big-league action this year given Milwaukee's outfield depth.