MLB Player News

Bote went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Thursday's Cactus League game against the Rockies.

Bote now has two home runs, four RBI and a 1.317 OPS across six Cactus League games. The veteran utility man spent last season with Triple-A Iowa, where he clubbed 14 long balls and posted an .811 OPS across 99 contests. With the Cubs adding depth to the infield in recent years, Bote seems to be on the outside looking in for a roster spot, though he does give the team an experienced depth option.

Smyly allowed five runs on seven hits and a walk across two innings during Thursday's Cactus League game against the Rockies. He struck out one.

Smyly allowed a pair of home runs in his two frames and was just hit around the park in general. The veteran lefty was much better in his first spring start Saturday, but he now has an inflated 11.25 ERA across four innings in Cactus League play. Smyly is competing for the fifth spot in Chicago's rotation, though he could ultimately end up in a similar swing role to the one he occupied last season.

Wisdom was scratched from the lineup for Thursday's Cactus League game against Colorado due to right quad tightness, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Wisdom's absence was described as precautionary, so his injury doesn't seem to be too severe. The Cubs may hold him out of the lineup for the next couple of exhibition games, but Wisdom should be able to return and continue competing for a roster spot soon. The 32-year-old is currently 1-for-8 with a double across three games in Cactus League play.

The Diamondbacks announced Thursday that Walker has a right hand contusion after X-rays came back negative, Jesse Friedman of GoPHNX.com reports.

Walker was removed from Thursday's Cactus League game against the Giants after being hit in the hand by a pitch. The first baseman suffered the injury in the fourth inning, but his day may have been finished regardless of the injury. He should be able to make a relatively quick return since he avoided a fracture.

Duplantier signed a minor-league contract with the Mets on Thursday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Duplantier hasn't pitched in the majors since 2021, and he owns a 5.05 ERA across 103.1 innings in the minors over the past two seasons. He'll likely report to Triple-A Syracuse to begin 2024 and give the Mets organizational rotation depth.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Thursday that Sheehan (general soreness) should throw plyo balls soon and is expected to be ready for the team's domestic Opening Day, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Sheehan has been slowed with what the club has referred to merely as general body soreness. While he might not be ready for the Dodgers' March 20-21 series in South Korea versus the Padres, there's a good chance he wasn't going to pitch in either of those two games, anyway. The team's March 28 opener back in Los Angeles is the real target, and Sheehan seems to be on track to reach it. The young right-hander has a good chance to be part of the rotation, at least initially, while Walker Buehler (elbow) eases back into things.

Lodolo (tibia) will throw live batting practice Thursday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Reds manager David Bell noted that how Lodolo fares during the live BP session and, even more importantly, how he bounces back a day later, will go a long way in determining whether he'll be ready for Opening Day. The left-hander is being eased along this spring after he missed much of last season with a stress reaction in his left tibia.

X-rays on Muncy's left hand came back negative Thursday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Muncy was hit in the hand by a pitch during Wednesday's Cactus League game against Texas, but he appears to have escaped with only a bruise. Muncy said the swelling on his hand has already gone down, but he has yet to swing a bat again. It may be a few days before the 33-year-old plays in another spring game, but he shouldn't be at risk of missing Opening Day.

Walker was removed from Thursday's Cactus League game against the Giants after being hit in the hand by a pitch, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

Walker was struck by a 92-mph sinker in the fourth inning during his second trip to the plate. It's possible he was going to be done for the day after the plate appearance, anyway, but the Diamondbacks weren't going to take any chances. Walker could be sent for X-rays.

Kranick was diagnosed with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain Thursday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Manager Carlos Mendoza said Kranick will be shut down for "a while" and will begin the regular season on the injured list. A clearer picture regarding Kranick's return timeline should emerge once he resumes throwing, but the 26-year-old right-hander is officially out of the race for an Opening Day rotation spot.