MLB Player News

Crow-Armstrong (hamstring) will return to the Chicago lineup for Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Padres, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports. He'll start in center field and bat seventh.

Crow-Armstrong was scratched from the lineup for Monday's game against the Diamondbacks due to right hamstring tightness, but the young outfielder said his absence was precautionary, and he could have played if necessary. The 22-year-old is slated to serve as the Cubs' everyday center fielder this season.

Ramos (oblique) is starting in left field and batting second Tuesday against the Padres in his Cactus League debut, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Ramos has been slowed by an oblique injury early in camp, but he's progressed well and is now ready to test things out in a game setting. The 25-year-old is slated to serve as the Giants' everyday left fielder in 2025 after popping 22 home runs over 121 games last season.

Bae (hand) will start in left field and bat leadoff in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox.

Bae jammed the ring finger on his right hand when he was picked off while sliding back into third base during Sunday's game against the Tigers, but he needed just one day off to heal up from the injury. With Tommy Pham, Oneil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds expected to form Pittsburgh's preferred starting outfield trio from left to right heading into Opening Day, Bae is competing with Billy Cook, Jack Suwinski, Joshua Palacios, DJ Stewart and Nick Solak for one or two reserve outfielder roles this spring. The 25-year-old Bae's elite speed could make him a useful asset off the bench, though the fact that he has two minor-league options remaining could compel the Pirates to send him to Triple-A Indianapolis to begin the season so he can receive steady at-bats.

Ashby was pulled from Monday's spring training game against the Reds due to a left oblique strain, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Ashby made it through one inning Monday before being pulled with the injury. Skipper Pat Murphy stated that it's unlikely to be a months-long absence for Ashby, but the club will know more after the southpaw undergoes imaging Tuesday.

Ashby (undisclosed) was forced to exit his outing early against the Reds on Monday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Ashby pitched one scoreless inning, while walking two batters versus Cincinnati before leaving the game. He reportedly dealing with command issues when he was on the mound ahead the second inning. More information on Ashby's status will likely come in the near future.

Tucker went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts in Monday's Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks and is now 0-for-12 this spring.

Chicago's key offseason acquisition is off to a slow start, though it shouldn't have any impact on his role with the team. Tucker figures to start in right field most days and bat in the heart of the Cubs' lineup. The 28-year-old is also playing on a one-year deal, so he will be under pressure to produce in his final year before free agency.

Morgan may get squeezed from the Cubs' Opening Day roster and start the season at Triple-A Iowa instead , Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Morgan was effective last year for Cleveland, posting a 1.93 ERA and 0.98 WHIP across 42 regular-season innings, though he still has a minor-league option remaining and could be the odd man out as a result. Even if the righty begins the year in the minors, he has enough talent to be a valuable addition to the Cubs' bullpen at some point, but he likely won't see save opportunities with Ryan Pressly and Porter Hodge around.

Diaz has been held out of Cactus League play after tweaking his hamstring during pitchers' fielding practice about a week ago, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Diaz said Monday that he feels "great" now and expects to be ready for his Cactus League debut this weekend. If he is indeed ready to pitch later this week and can avoid setbacks, Diaz should have enough time to be ready for Opening Day. The righty is expected to open the 2025 season as Cincinnati's closer, though he could be on a relatively short leash after posting a 3.99 ERA and just a 22.7 percent strikeout rate in 2024.

The Pirates placed Oviedo (elbow) on the 60-day injured list due to a right lat strain.

Oviedo missed the entire 2024 season while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, but he appeared to be progressing smoothly in his recovery this spring before he suffered the lat strain during his most recent live batting practice session, manager Derek Shelton told Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The lat strain prompted the Pirates to send Oviedo to the 60-day IL, which makes him ineligible for activation until late May. Oviedo's removal from the 40-man roster frees a spot for waiver pickup Justin Lawrence.

DeJong went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.

The veteran infielder got hold of a Josh Hader offering in the third inning, giving DeJong his first long ball of the spring. Although he didn't sign with the Nationals until mid-February, DeJong is the favorite to be the team's Opening Day third baseman after slugging 24 homers in 139 games last season split between the White Sox and Royals, albeit with a mediocre .227/.276/.427 slash line. Prospect Brady House is having a strong start to camp however, and DeJong could simply be keeping the hot corner warm for the 21-year-old.