MLB Player News

Cruz is hitting .292 with four home runs and one stolen base across 25 plate appearances in Grapefruit League games.

Cruz has hit all four of his home runs in his last three contests, and his performance seemingly puts to rest any concerns about his leg injury from last season lingering into the new campaign. He's also shown strong plate discipline, striking out at a 20 percent clip while maintaining a 20 percent walk rate. Cruz should be in line to lead off for Pittsburgh against right-handed pitching and will be a key to the team's offensive success.

Contreras walked six batters across four innings of work in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays.

Contreras is in competition for a rotation spot but has had an unimpressive showing this spring. Across four outings and 10.2 innings, he has just a 4:10 K:BB while giving up nine earned runs. Assuming he fails to secure a rotation spot, Contreras's tenure in Pittsburgh may be over as he is out of minor-league options.

Bouchard began camp slowly due to an oblique issue, which could cost him at-bats to begin the regular season, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Bouchard has been on the field regularly since Feb. 23, but he has yet to get on track and is hitting only .174/.286/.348 across 28 plate appearances while also striking out at a 32.1 percent clip this spring. Charlie Blackmon has also played better than expected in right field, which could lead to the veteran playing in the outfield more often rather than serving as the DH. That would cost Bouchard playing time, though he's almost certain to make the roster, at least a bench bat.

Montero may be forcing his way into the lineup with his performance this spring, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Montero is projected to be on the Opening Day roster, though his fit in the starting lineup is unclear. He'd likely gain at-bats at designated hitter due to his defensive deficiencies, which would in turn push Charlie Blackmon to the outfield while endangering Sean Bouchard's playing time. Montero has displayed a familiar profile this spring, as he's posted an impressive .333 ISO but is still striking out at a 27 percent clip.

Uribe could be in line to receive regular save chances with Devin Williams (back) out for three months, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Uribe and Joel Payamps project as the two likely candidates to take over as Milwaukee's closer after Williams was diagnosed with two stress fractures in his back Wednesday. In his first season of big-league action, Uribe logged a 1.76 ERA and 1.17 WHIP across 30.2 frames. However, neither Uribe (six earned runs, 4.1 innings) nor Payamps (five earned runs, 2.2 innings) have put together a strong spring, making it unclear who the early favorite is for Opening Day.

Payamps could receive a large share of Milwaukee's save opportunities to begin the season with Devin Williams (back) set to miss the next three months, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Two stress fractures in Williams' back will keep him sidelined until June, opening the door for Payamps to step in as the Brewers' closer. Payamps turned in impressive numbers as a setup man during his first season in Milwaukee, putting up a 2.55 ERA and 1.05 WHIP across 70.2 innings while registering three saves and 28 holds. However, he began to fall apart near the end of the season, surrendering seven runs (six earned) over 9.1 frames after Sept. 1. Payamps' struggles have followed him into spring training, and it's possible the Brewers decide to split save opportunities between Payamps and promising young flamethrower Abner Uribe.

Williams was diagnosed with two stress fractures in his back Wednesday and will miss approximately three months, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Williams had pitched through back soreness toward the end of last season, and he saw a back specialist Wednesday after the soreness returned during spring training. Williams will be shut down from throwing for six weeks before beginning a six-week rehab program, lining him up to return sometime during June. Losing Williams is a huge blow to the Brewers after the 29-year-old closer posted a 1.53 ERA and 0.92 WHIP in 2023 while racking up 87 strikeouts across 58.2 innings and tallying 36 saves en route to winning his second NL Reliever of the Year Award. It's unclear who will replace Williams as Milwaukee's primary closer to begin the season, but Joel Payamps and Abner Uribe are likely candidates.

Diaz will be away from the Mets' camp for several days to be with his wife, who is expected to give birth within the next week, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Diaz's absence from camp shouldn't affect his availability for Opening Day. After missing the entire 2023 season upon rupturing the patellar tendon in his left knee during the World Baseball Classic last spring, the 29-year-old made his Grapefruit League debut Monday against the Marlins and looked as sharp as ever, as he struck out the side in a perfect inning.

Wesneski tossed three scoreless innings in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Guardians. He allowed two hits and struck out three.

Wesneski started his spring slate allowing seven runs over three innings in his first two appearances. However, in two outings since then, the righty has allowed just one run across six innings. Wesneski is battling for a spot in the rotation, and with Jameson Taillon (back) possibly set to miss some time early in the season, the former may be able to climb up the depth chart temporarily.

Bote went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Guardians, giving him four long balls this spring.

Bote has exploded for four home runs in 16 games this spring, which is as many as he hit back in 2022 across 41 games for the Cubs. The veteran utility player spent all of last season in the minors, and despite the strong spring, he'll likely serve as organizational depth again in 2024 with Chicago adding more infield depth in recent years.