MLB Player News

With Nico Hoerner (forearm) set to miss the Cubs' two-game, season-opening series in Tokyo, Brujan is an option to see more time at second base, Jesse Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Brujan and Jon Berti are both options to fill in for Hoerner, who is recovering from October flexor tendon surgery. The Cubs play the Dodgers in Tokyo on March 18 and 19, then head back to the United States to resume regular season play later in the month. Hoerner may be ready by that time, which would push Brujan and Berti back to bench roles.

With Nico Hoerner (forearm) set to miss the Cubs' two-game, season-opening series in Tokyo, Berti is an option to slide in as the starter at second base, Jesse Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The Cubs will face the Dodgers in Tokyo on March 18 and 19, and with Hoerner still recovering from flexor tendon surgery, the team won't rush him back for the quick set. Berti and Vidal Brujan could see time at second in the meantime, though Hoerner could be ready to go later in the month, which would push both players back to bench roles.

Freeman (ankle) is hoping to play first base in a Cactus League game Sunday, Matthew Moreno of DodgerBlue.com reports.

Freeman took a significant step in his recovery from offseason ankle surgery Thursday, as he made his spring training debut and went 1-for-3 as a designated hitter. He plans to serve as the DH again Saturday before taking the field at first base Sunday. Freeman is expected to be ready for the team's opening series of the regular season on March 18 and 19, though he did acknowledge he'll need to wrap his ankle and isn't likely to feel fully healthy for the first half of the season.

Lamb was removed from Thursday's Cactus League game against the Mariners due to left quad tightness, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Lamb suffered the injury while trying to field a ball at first base in the seventh inning and had to come out of the game immediately afterward. Manager Bob Melvin said after the game that the team will know more about the severity of Lamb's injury Friday.

Alvarez was removed from Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals due to left wrist discomfort.

Alvarez was wincing after he struck out swinging during his at-bat in the first inning, and he was replaced in the field the bottom of the frame. Atlanta will likely take a closer look at him and offer an update on his status in the near future.

The Marlins designated Martinez for assignment Thursday.

Martinez was claimed off waivers from the Diamondbacks last Thursday, and after just a week with the Marlins he'll lose his spot on the 40-man roster in favor of Brett de Geus, who was picked up off waivers from Pittsburgh. Martinez finished last season with a 3.59 ERA and 1.27 WHIP over 52.2 regular-season innings with the Astros, so there could still be several teams willing to give him a spot on their 40-man instead.

Miami claimed de Geus off waivers from Pittsburgh on Thursday, Kevin Barral of FishonFirst.com reports.

De Geus was designated for assignment by the Marlins in September and was also with the Blue Jays during the offseason before being traded to the Pirates. He made 13 big-league appearances last year and had a 7.15 ERA and 7:4 K:BB over 11.1 innings. In a corresponding move, Miami designated Seth Martinez for assignment.

Harper (triceps) will return to the Phillies' lineup for Friday's Grapefruit League contest against the Red Sox, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Harper exited Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays after being hit on the right triceps by a pitch, but the exit was precautionary. He had a scheduled day off Thursday and will be back in there Friday.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Thursday that Wood (quad) will serve as the team's designated hitter during Friday's game against the Mets, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

It will be Wood's Grapefruit League debut, as he's been slow played so far this spring while battling left quad tendinitis. If Wood gets through Friday's contest with no issues, the Nationals will then decide whether he's ready to play left field in a game.

Phillips (shoulder) threw his third bullpen session of spring training Thursday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Phillips has already ruled himself out for the Dodgers' first two games of the season March 18 and 19 in Tokyo versus the Cubs, but the right-handed reliever may still have a chance of being ready to go for the March 27 domestic opener versus the Tigers if he experiences no setbacks during the ramp-up process. Though he led the Dodgers with 18 saves in 2024, Phillips will likely find himself at least a couple rungs lower in the bullpen pecking order during the upcoming season after Los Angeles added two other pitchers with more closing experience (Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates) in free agency.