MLB Player News

Martini started at first base and went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Saturday's spring game against Arizona.

Not only was Martini's home run his first of the spring, it was the first hit of any kind in 15 at-bats. The left-handed hitter is redundant in an outfield that skews lefty, and there doesn't appear to be room for him, especially since Spencer Steer is expected to see most of his time in the outfield.

Edwards, who tossed a scoreless inning of relief with a strikeout in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Rockies, has a 0.00 ERA across four spring appearances.

Edwards last pitched for the Cubs in 2019, and he was a valuable member of the bullpen for the 2016 World Series winning squad. The righty has bounced around a bit in recent years, but he has a chance to settle into a middle-relief spot with Chicago in 2024. Edwards likely won't have a ton of fantasy value in that role, however.

Villar (hand) is starting at third base and batting sixth in Sunday's Cactus League game against the Mariners, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Villar was hit by a pitch on the left hand Monday but had X-rays come back negative, and he'll return to action Sunday after taking a few days to recover. The 27-year-old struggled to a .551 OPS in 46 big-league games last season and is fighting for a bench job on San Francisco's Opening Day roster.

Abbott allowed three runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out five over three innings in Saturday's spring start against the Diamondbacks.

Abbott was supposed to pitch four innings, but manager David Bell pulled him after the pitcher allowed the first batter to reach base in the fourth, according to Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer. The left-hander had a second consecutive subpar Cactus League start and overall has given up seven runs and 14 hits over eight spring innings, although that comes with a more reassuring 8:1 K:BB. Despite the results, Bell did not sound worried. "He's still working toward being really sharp like we know he can be," the manager said. "He's going through that normal process in spring training. He came in looking really good and he'll get back there by the end of camp." Abbott added that he's been focusing on inside fastballs to righties during camp and used the word "bad" to describe the execution of those inside fastballs Saturday. He's still in the mix for a rotation spot, but that likely depends on the progress Nick Lodolo (lower leg) makes.

Alexander started at designated hitter and went 2-for-3 with a double and a stolen base in Saturday's spring game against Cincinnati.

Alexander has responded to a spring training challenge from Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo, who gave the shortstop areas on which to focus in camp, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports. "Show us that you're versatile and can play more than one position. Control the at-bats, control the zone, don't worry about hitting home runs, [focus on] gap-to-gap," the manager said at the start of camp. Alexander has played shortstop, second base and third base in Cactus League action, hit to all fields, and compiled a 1.035 OPS over 29 plate appearances. Arizona general manager Mike Hazen, who was effusive about the prospect's spring performance, prefers that Alexander get regular at-bats in the minors, but the 24-year-old infielder could force decision-makers to rethink their plans.

Williams gave up five runs on eight hits over three innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros. He struck out three without walking a batter.

Facing most of Houston's Opening Day lineup, Williams looked overmatched as he served up homers to Jose Altuve and Kyle Tucker in the first inning. Those were the only extra-base hits the veteran right-hander allowed, however. Williams is penciled into a spot in the Washington rotation after finishing third on the staff last season with 144.1 innings, but his 5.55 ERA and 1.60 WHIP don't offer much hope of fantasy utility.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Sunday that Diaz will make his Grapefruit League debut Monday against the Tigers, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

The 29-year-old reported to camp fully healthy after missing all of last season due to a torn patellar tendon, but the Mets elected to ease him into things during the early stages of spring training. Diaz will likely continue ramping up his workload over the final weeks of camp, and he should return to the ranks of the best closers in MLB in 2024.

Lindor went 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBI in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.

The 30-year-old shortstop drove a 2-2 pitch from Steven Matz deep to left-center field in the first inning, giving Lindor his first long ball of the spring. He had a bone spur removed from his elbow in October but came into camp healthy, and he's gone 5-for-22 so far in Grapefruit League action with two doubles in addition to Saturday's homer. Lindor put together his first career 30-30 campaign in 2023 despite the bone spur, and expectations are high for the four-time All-Star this season.

Rodriguez allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits while striking out four over four innings in Saturday's spring start against the Reds.

Rodriguez took the mound for a third time during Cactus League action and recorded his best results. The left-hander threw 55 pitches and told Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports that he felt about 80 percent of the regular-season version of himself. To get that extra 20 percent, Rodriguez wants to get his fastball velocity up. "I noticed today it was like 90-92 (mph), so like 100% is 91-94 (mph) ... but location-wise, I feel like it was 100%, the pitches were right where I wanted," Rodriguez said. The pitcher has allowed nine runs (eight earned) on 13 hits and four walks while striking out 10 over eight spring innings.

Manaea allowed two hits and three walks over four scoreless innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals. He struck out five.

The veteran southpaw built up to 61 pitches (35 strikes) in an impressive performance that saw him count Nolan Arenado and Willson Contreras (twice) among his Ks. Saturday's free passes were also his first of the spring, and Manaea has an 8:3 K:BB through 6.2 innings. After signing a two-year, $28 million contract with the Mets in January, he's being counted on to provide some stability in the rotation, but Manaea has some things to prove after posting a 4.73 ERA in 275.2 innings over the last two seasons between the Padres and Giants.