MLB Player News

Nimmo could be moved down in the Mets' batting order this season, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

President of baseball operations David Stearns and manager Carlos Mendoza discussed the possibility with Nimmo early in the offseason and co-hitting coaches Jeremy Barnes and Eric Chavez have continued the dialogue in spring training. Nimmo's on-base skills make him a natural fit as a leadoff hitter, but he also showed last season with a career-high 24 home runs that he could have potential as a middle-of-the-order presence. Healey mentions Francisco Lindor, Starling Marte and Jeff McNeil as options to move up to the top of the batting order if Nimmo slides down.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Saturday that Marsh (knee) could make his Grapefruit League debut by the middle or end of next week, Alex Coffey of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Working his way back from arthroscopic left knee surgery, Marsh took five live at-bats on Saturday and is now up to 29 at-bats off live pitching this spring. He will serve as a designated hitter in an intrasquad game Sunday and could be ready for an official spring game shortly thereafter. The hope remains that Marsh will be ready to go for Opening Day, but he's working with a tight window.

Walker averaged just 89.4 mph with his four-seam fastball during Saturday's Grapefruit League debut versus the Blue Jays, Alex Coffey of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

The right-hander allowed one run on two hits and one walk while notching three strikeouts over two innings. Both Walker and Phillies manager Rob Thomson were unconcerned about the righty's low velocity, noting that Walker hasn't thrown much this spring due to a sore knee and also being away for personal reasons. Walker's velocity was down in 2023 after he lost about 20 pounds last offseason, but he put that weight back on this winter in hopes of regaining the zip on his fastball. His velocity will be worth tracking in the next couple weeks.

Peralta (elbow) is on track to make his Cactus League debut Tuesday versus the Brewers, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Signed as a non-roster invitee last month, Peralta has been eased into spring training following October flexor tendon surgery. He progressed to live batting practice Saturday, however, and is just a few days away from game action. Assuming good health, Peralta would seem to have a good shot to capture a reserve role.

Edman said Saturday that the nagging pain in his surgically repaired right wrist is "more inflammation than structural" following second and third opinions from doctors, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

The switch-hitter has had to be shut down twice this spring due to lingering pain when he bats right-handed and is expected to begin the season on the injured list. However, while it's not yet clear what the steps will be in Edman's rehab, he's confident he will not be sidelined long. The Cardinals are expected to use Dylan Carlson in center field while Edman is on the shelf.

With Emmet Sheehan (upper body) set to begin the season on the IL, Stone and Michael Grove look like the leading candidates to claim the Dodgers' No. 5 rotation spot, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Stone was originally thought to be competing with Sheehan for the team's final rotation spot, but it appears that Grove is in the running as well. Grove may have helped his case with a standout Cactus League start Saturday during which he pitched 3.1 scoreless frames, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out six batters, but he struggled in two previous spring appearances. Meanwhile, Stone has been excellent in surrendering just one run over 5.2 innings with a 4:1 K:BB, so he's probably the frontrunner between the two. Manager Dave Roberts mentioned Kyle Hurt and Ryan Yarbrough are in the mix for the No. 5 starter role as well.

Rosario is in the mix for starts at third base for the Padres while Manny Machado (elbow) is limited to the designated hitter spot, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Machado will need to DH at least for the club's March 20-21 series in South Korea and perhaps for a bit when it returns home, too. That opens up some at-bats at the hot corner, where Rosario is competing primarily with Graham Pauley and Matthew Batten. Rosario, 24, is 6-for-25 with a couple stolen bases in Cactus League play and went 9-for-36 with two homers during his brief time with the big club last season. He can play second base and shortstop, as well, putting him in contention for a reserve role even if he's not getting starts at third base.

Batten is a candidate for starts at third base for the Padres while Manny Machado (elbow) is limited to designated hitter duty, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Batten is in competition primarily with Graham Pauley and Eguy Rosario for playing time at third base until Machado is ready to play the field. The 28-year-old Batten is known more for his glove than his bat but held his own in 139 plate appearances with the big club last season, posting a .713 OPS with a couple homers. Batten's limited ceiling offensively makes him a lackluster fantasy option even if he were to garner starts for a while.

Pauley is in the running to start at third base for the Padres while Manny Machado (elbow) is limited to designated hitter duty, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Machado will not be ready to play third for the team's March 20-21 series in South Korea against the Dodgers and perhaps for a bit longer than that. That opens up some playing time at the hot corner, with Pauley, Matthew Batten and Eguy Rosario in the mix, per Acee. Pauley is not on the 40-man roster, has yet to advance past Double-A San Antonio and is not a strong defender, factors which could work against him cracking the Opening Day roster. However, he's forced himself into the conversation this spring by putting up a 1.012 OPS with one home run in 12 games. The 23-year-old slashed an impressive .308/.393/.539 with 23 home runs and 22 stolen bases over three minor-league levels in 2023.

Padres manager Mike Shildt said Saturday that it's a "pretty safe" bet that Machado (elbow) will be the team's designated hitter during its March 20-21 series in South Korea against the Dodgers, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Machado has yet to play third base in a spring training game and recently took a little break from throwing due to some soreness with his surgically repaired right elbow. He will resume throwing Sunday and go through drills at the hot corner, but it's unclear as to when he'll be allowed to play third base in a game. Matthew Batten, Graham Pauley or Eguy Rosario are options to handle third in South Korea, and it's possible they'll be needed for the Padres' domestic opener March 28, as well, if Machado isn't ready to play the field yet.