MLB Player News

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol considers the center field job to be an open competition between Scott, Michael Siani and Lars Nootbaar, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Nootbaar is the only one of the three guaranteed a regular role, and with Nolan Arenado still around the chances of those reps coming in center field are higher. However, Scott and Siani are also firmly in the mix, particularly if Marmol leans more toward defense. Scott could be the team's long-term answer at the position, but he struggled mightily in 2024 with just a .502 OPS. The Cardinals will want him playing every day, so if he doesn't win the center field gig he's likely to open the season at Triple-A Memphis.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol considers the center field job an open competition between Siani, Victor Scott and Lars Nootbaar, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

If the Cardinals had been able to trade Nolan Arenado, Nootbaar would've been slated for everyday left fielder duty. With Arenado still around -- at least for now -- Brendan Donovan will see more time in left field, which would push Nootbaar to center. Siani and Scott are the superior defenders, though, and will have an opportunity to stake their claim to the job. The 26-year-old Siani led St. Louis with 96 starts in center field in 2024 and is an elite defender, but he was one of the worst hitters in baseball with a lowly .570 OPS.

Hernandez signed a minor-league deal with the Marlins in November.

Hernandez is starting in left field and batting ninth in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros. He was once a top prospect with the Rays but he slid down the defensive spectrum and hit .187 in 44 games at Triple-A last year.

Espinal started at shortstop and went 1-for-2 with a triple and a run scored in Sunday's spring game against the Giants.

Espinal has appeared in two Cactus League games -- both at shortstop -- and made an impact in both. Prior to Sunday's triple, he homered in a split-squad game against the Brewers on Saturday. The 30-year-old utility infielder/outfielder was useful to the Reds in 2024, establishing career highs in home runs (nine) and steals (11), as the team dealt with injuries throughout the roster. Cincinnati re-signed him during the offseason, presumably with the intent of having him fill a similar role in 2025.

Abbott (shoulder) returned to camp Sunday after being away for two days due to illness, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Abbott is not yet scheduled to face hitters in a live batting practice session. The Reds will check in with the left-hander to determine the impact of the last two days of inactivity, then make decisions on the next steps of Abbott's progression.

Steer (shoulder) is scheduled to begin throwing Monday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Steer is delayed in playing the field due to a sore right shoulder. He is able to DH and did so for one Cactus League game thus far.

Bowman started in left field and went 0-for-2 in Sunday's spring game against San Francisco.

Bowman, a Rule 5 selection during the offseason, has experience at second base, shortstop and center field and is considered a defensive asset wherever he plays. Thus far in spring training, manager Terry Francona deployed the 25-year-old at first base and left field. The manager told Mark Sheldon of MLB.com that the more positions Bowman can play, the better his chances of sticking with the team. "I told him, 'In fairness to you, we'd like to see you in as many places as we can.' Because the more versatile he is, the better," Francona said before Sunday's game. Bowman is 0-for-5 through two Cactus League games.

Martinez allowed two hits and struck out three over two innings in Sunday's spring game against the Giants.

Martinez struck out three in the first inning, using his changeup, a backdoor cutter and a fastball up an away to induce the Ks, per Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. Of his 35 pitches, 26 were strikes, including all 14 thrown during the first inning. "I felt good, really good," Martinez said. "I did a really good job of just attacking the zone and challenging hitters early and often." Martinez has filled a variety of pitching roles in the past, but Reds manager Terry Francona confirmed the right-hander is viewed as a starter by the organization.

McCarthy started in right field and went 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored in Sunday's spring game against the Mariners.

McCarthy and Alek Thomas are involved in a competition for a starting job in the outfield. Both saw action Sunday, with Thomas patrolling center field. McCarthy enters spring training ahead of Thomas on the depth chart after a strong season at the plate in 2024, when Thomas was dogged by injury and limited to 60 games between the majors and minors.

Henry allowed four runs on five hits while striking out one over 1.1 innings in Sunday's spring game against Seattle.

Henry had a benign first inning but ran into trouble in the second frame and was removed after 40 pitches. Arizona has several starters in camp ahead of the Henry, who should serve the organization as a depth starter at Triple-A Reno. He might also be used as a long reliever if promoted to the majors.