MLB Player News

Cooper is expected to see his first game action of the spring Monday, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Cooper joined the Cubs on a minor-league deal at the end of February to give the team depth at first base. Fellow newcomer Michael Busch is expected to be the starter there, and Cody Bellinger can also play first when he's not in center field. However, Cooper could make the case for more regular playing time if he looks good in Cactus League action.

Rios (shoulder) is listed as one of the Mets' available relievers for Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Rios' 2023 season came to an end last July after he required surgery to address an axillary branch aneurysm in his right shoulder, but he seems to have received a clean bill of health for spring training. He's made two appearances in the spring thus far, tossing two scoreless frames.

The Mets reassigned Williams to minor-league spring training Sunday, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

The 20-year-old has received reps at shortstop and in center field during the first couple weeks of big-league camp, but he'll shift to the minor-league side after the first round of roster cuts. Williams is the Mets' top prospect and should open 2024 at Double-A Binghamton after he split most of last season between the Single-A and High-A levels, where he had an .876 OPS in 410 at-bats.

The Mets reassigned Young to minor-league camp Sunday, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

Young, who posted a 1.08 ERA and 1.08 WHIP over 8.1 innings out of Atlanta's bullpen in 2023, will miss out on a spot in the Mets' Opening Day bullpen. The lefty reliever is expected to head to Triple-A Syracuse to begin his tenure with the Mets.

De La Cruz had a home run and two walks during Saturday's spring game against Colorado.

De La Cruz crushed his first spring home run off Cal Quantrill's 1-1 sinker that stayed up in the zone. De La Cruz later committed an error that led to four unearned runs. In five Cactus League appearances, he's 5-for-12 with two extra-base hits, three walks, three runs and two RBI.

The Mets optioned Ingram to Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

Ingram was one of 10 Mets players dispatched to minor-league camp in the first round of spring training cuts. The 27-year-old lefty reliever was claimed off waivers from the Tigers in February and retains a spot on the 40-man roster, so he could be a candidate to join the Mets' bullpen at some point in 2024.

Stephens (elbow) retired two batters via strikeout and gave up an earned run on one hit and one walk Saturday in Atlanta's 6-2 win over the Blue Jays in Grapefruit League play.

Making his spring debut, Stephens threw 21 pitches to four hitters. The 29-year-old right-hander finished the 2023 campaign on Atlanta's injured list due to right elbow inflammation, but he's faced no apparent limitations thus far in camp. After re-signing with Atlanta on a split contract over the winter, Stephens may need an impressive showing in the spring to win a spot in the Opening Day bullpen.

Acuna was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

The 21-year-old was with the Mets for the first couple weeks of big-league camp but will now move over to the minor-league side of spring training. Acuna immediately became one of the Mets' top prospects after being acquired from the Rangers in the Max Scherzer trade in July, and a strong showing at Syracuse this season could set up the young infielder's MLB debut later in the year.

Greene allowed two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out two over three innings in Saturday's spring start against the Rockies.

Greene walked two batters for a second straight Cactus League appearance and has allowed four free passes in 4.2 innings. Cincinnati manager David Bell made note of the control issues to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. "In spring training, he continues to work on things," Bell said. "Too many balls right now, he's walking a few. He's got to work towards cleaning that up." The manager added that Greene isn't missing by much and pitchers honing in during spring training is all part of the process.

Marte started at third base and went 1-for-2 in Saturday's spring game against the Rockies.

Marte made his spring debut after coping with a hamstring injury that delayed his participation in game action. He hit a couple of balls hard and told Mark Sheldon of MLB.com that he felt comfortable before he was removed in the fourth inning. "It was good to have Marte back, he looked good," manager David Bell said. "We didn't want to do anything crazy on the bases, but he was 100 percent. He's completely freed up to play his normal game next time out." Marte should have enough time to build up for Opening Day and is projected to be the Reds' primary third baseman.