MLB Player News

Flores (knee) is starting at first base and batting fifth for Sunday's Cactus League game against the Reds, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The 33-year-old was limited to 71 games and finished last season on the injured list due to a knee injury that necessitated surgery, but he's ready to go for the start of spring training. Flores exercised his $3.5 million player option for 2025 in November and is expected to fill the small side of a platoon at first base with LaMonte Wade.

Wood (quadriceps) participated in outfield drills Sunday and continues to take batting practice, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Wood has been limited at the start of camp due to left quadriceps tendinitis, but he was never fully shut down from baseball activities and has now resumed taking part in outfield drills. Wood remains out of the lineup for Sunday's Grapefruit League game but may not be far off from making his spring debut.

Merryweather (knee) pitched a scoreless inning of relief in Saturday's Cactus League game against the White Sox. He allowed a hit and a walk.

Merryweather missed the majority of last season due to rib and knee injuries and ended up making only 15 appearances for the Cubs, with his last one coming on Aug. 25. While he likely won't be in the mix for saves in 2025 with Ryan Pressly and Porter Hodge around, it's encouraging just to see Merryweather back on the mound. He figures to work in middle relief and likely won't have a ton of fantasy appeal in most formats.

Busch went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI in Saturday's Cactus League game against the White Sox.

Busch is now 4-for-6 overall through two spring training appearances with three RBI. The 27-year-old is entrenched as Chicago's top option at first base, though the recent addition of Justin Turner gives the Cubs a veteran alternative. The two could work in a platoon to start the year with the lefty-hitting Busch serving on the strong side, but a prolonged slump by either player could swing playing time more in the opposite direction.

Steele tossed two scoreless innings in Saturday's Cactus League game against the White Sox. He allowed two hits and struck out five.

In his first action of the spring, Steele already appeared to be in midseason form. The lefty was limited to only 24 starts last year due to hamstring and forearm injuries, but he was effective when healthy, compiling a 3.07 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 135:37 K:BB across 134.2 innings. Steele figures to slot in behind Shota Imanaga in Chicago's rotation this season, giving the Cubs an imposing 1-2 punch, and both are attractive options for fantasy managers.

Ashcraft allowed one hit and struck out one over two scoreless innings in Saturday's split-squad spring game against the Brewers.

It was a strong start for Ashcraft, who is looking to claim a spot in the Reds' rotation. This was his first time pitching in a game environment since he was placed on the injured list last July with elbow soreness. Once a lock for the rotation, Ashcraft needs to win a spot this spring. He told C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic that he picked up good routines during rehab and they carried over into Saturday's outing. With a couple of starter candidates delayed this spring -- Andrew Abbott (shoulder) and Rhett Lowder (elbow) -- Ashcraft is in a good position to claim a spot in the rotation, although ever since he was drafted in 2019, the team has discussed a move to the bullpen. The right-hander said he's open for either role.

Greene allowed two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out three over two innings in Saturday's split-squad spring game against Cleveland.

Greene pounded the zone, which Guardians batters were prepared for and jumped on for a couple of hard-hit balls in the opening frame, including a two-run home run by Lane Thomas. "It's the first game," Greene told Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. "They're 0-0 pitches and guys are swinging. They know I get ahead with fastballs and for me, I wasn't disappointed or mad or scratching my head. That's going to happen." Greene allowed more hard contact in the second inning but managed to get out of a two-on, two-out jam. Greene is expected get the ball for the Reds on Opening Day.

Carroll started in right field and went 0-for-3 in Saturday's spring game against Colorado.

Carroll was part of a contingent of Diamondbacks regulars that made their Cactus League debuts Saturday. He'll land in right or center field, depending on whether Alek Thomas or Jake McCarthy wins a starting spot in the outfield. But where Carroll lands defensively is of less concern than his season-opening slump in 2024 that lingered through the first half (.635 OPS). He eventually turned it around in the second half, posting a .919 OPS and reestablishing the reputation earned in 2023 when Carroll won the NL Rookie of the Year award.

Alexander started at second base and went 0-for-1 with a walk and a run scored in Saturday's spring game against the Rockies.

Alexander made his Cactus League debut and is expected to play multiple infield positions in a quest to claim a utility role on the Opening Day roster. It's the same role Kevin Newman held last season, but he signed with the Angels in the offseason. The questions surrounding Alexander in his first exposure to MLB in 2024 were his defense and the downturn at the plate after a strong April. His primary competition for a roster spot includes Garrett Hampson and Ildemaro Vargas.

Veen went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Saturday's Cactus League win over the Diamondbacks.

Veen's stock has fallen in recent years, in large part due to injuries. He reminded everyone of his ability in the spring opener with a long, loud homer that was estimated at 433 feet, per Patrick Lyons of JustBaseball.com. It still doesn't seem like he's a realistic candidate for the Opening Day roster given that he has just 21 games' worth of experience at the Triple-A level, but the speedy outfielder is now on the Rockies' 40-man roster and figures to debut in the majors at some point in 2025, health permitting.