MLB Player News
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Billy Cook 3B | PIT
Pirates' Billy Cook: Additional path to playing time
Cook is in contention for playing time at first base with Spencer Horwitz (wrist) sidelined, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.
Cook was expected to compete for a starting corner outfield spot, but Pittsburgh's addition of Tommy Pham likely ended that possibility. However, Cook will now compete with Jared Triolo, DJ Stewart and Darick Hall for playing time at first base. Cook reached the majors for the first time late in 2024 and showed some intriguing potential with three home runs across 49 plate appearances. However, he also struck out at a 38.8 percent clip, so he'll need to show the ability to make more consistent contact to earn steady playing time.
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Nolan Arenado 3B | STL
Cardinals' Nolan Arenado: Trade now considered unlikely
Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said Thursday that it's now likelier Arenado is the team's Opening Day third baseman than it is he's traded, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Arenado nixed a potential trade to the Astros in December and the Red Sox are no longer a potential landing spot after they signed Alex Bregman. Discussions with Arenado's other approved destinations have beared little fruit, so unless that changes or the player expands his list of teams to which he would approve a trade, it appears the 33-year-old is staying put. The domino effect is likely Nolan Gorman staying at second base, Brendan Donovan primarily playing left field and Lars Nootbaar shifting to center.
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Jared Triolo 3B | PIT
Pirates' Jared Triolo: In mix at first base
Pirates general manager Ben Cherington mentioned Wednesday that Triolo is a candidate to play first base while Spencer Horwitz (thumb) is out, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.
Horwitz will miss the next 6-to-8 weeks following surgery last week on his right wrist/thumb. Pittsburgh plans to look internally for Horwitz's replacement and Triolo appears to be next in line on the depth chart at first base. The 27-year-old slashed only .216/.296/.315 with nine homers and eight steals over 125 games last season, but he was the National League's Gold Glove winner as a utility player.
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Austin Riley 3B | ATL
Braves' Austin Riley: Healthy to start spring training
Riley (hand) took live batting practice at spring training Wednesday, Grant McAuley of 92.9 The Game Atlanta reports.
Riley appears to be operating under no restrictions to begin the spring after he finished the 2024 season on the injured list while recovering from the fractured right hand he suffered Aug. 18. With no reports indicating that he needed surgery to address the hand injury, Riley should have a good chance at re-emerging as the 30-plus-home-run hitter that he was in three straight seasons from 2021 through 2023 before he was limited to 19 long balls over 110 games in 2024.
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Ke'Bryan Hayes 3B | PIT
Pirates' Ke'Bryan Hayes: Looks healthy for spring
Hayes (back) was spotted taking part in fielding drills at spring training Wednesday, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Hayes didn't play after Aug. 17 last season due to a back injury that had nagged him at various points earlier in the campaign, but he avoided offseason surgery and looks to be back to full health to begin the spring. In addition to costing him considerable time in 2024, the recurring back injuries likely played a factor in Hayes' diminished production; his .573 OPS over 396 plate appearances was easily the worst mark of his five-year big-league career. If healthy, Hayes' playing time should be secure due to his elite defense at third base, but his fantasy utility will hinge on him providing the kind of pop and batting average he supplied in 2023 (15 home runs, .271 average in 525 plate appearances). Because of his poor numbers in 2024, Hayes could find himself in the bottom half of the Pittsburgh lineup to begin the upcoming season.
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Nick Madrigal 3B | NYM
Mets' Nick Madrigal: Will get reps at shortstop
Madrigal will see some action at shortstop this spring, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.
Madrigal played some shortstop in college at Oregon State, but his only pro experience at the position came in 2018 when he was used there for one game in rookie ball. However, if Luisangel Acuna doesn't make the Mets' Opening Day roster, the club would be without a true backup shortstop behind Francisco Lindor. Because Lindor plays so much, the Mets might be able to get away with Madrigal as his backup even if the latter is stretched there defensively.
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Trey Lipscomb 3B | WAS
Nationals' Trey Lipscomb: In mix at hot corner
Lipscomb will compete with Jose Tena in spring training for the Nationals' starting job at third base, Bobby Blanco of MASN Sports reports.
Lipscomb had a strong camp last spring and wound up bouncing between the majors and Triple-A Rochester all season, but he produced a feeble .200/.268/.232 slash line in 210 plate appearances for the Nats, although he did steal 11 bags in 13 attempts. The 2022 third-round pick did provide reliable defense at the hot corner however, and Washington could view him as the safer option at the position over Tena, who flashed a better bat but a much shakier glove at third base after being acquired in the Lane Thomas trade with Cleveland. If Tena's defense remains an issue in camp, Lipscomb could open the season in the starting nine. Prospect Brady House could also get a look this spring, but he likely needs more development time at Triple-A before he'll be ready to take over the job.
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Enrique Hernandez SS | LAD
Dodgers' Enrique Hernandez: Staying in L.A.
Hernandez agreed to a one-year with the Dodgers on Sunday, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports.
Hernandez will return to fill a super-utility role with the Dodgers, and it is unlikely he secures regular work on such a loaded roster. He slashed .229/.281/.373 with 12 home runs, 44 runs and 42 RBI in 393 plate appearances during the 2024 regular season and carries third base and outfield eligibility in most fantasy formats.
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Cam Collier 3B | CIN
Reds' Cam Collier: Making debut in big-league camp
Collier received an invite to major-league spring training, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.
Collier, who turned 20 during the offseason, batted .248/.355/.443 with 20 home runs and 74 RBI over 119 games at High-A Dayton in 2024. There was variance in his monthly splits, and the left-handed batter had trouble against southpaws (.174/.283/.312), but Collier showed his raw power and ability to homer to all fields.
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Edwin Rios 3B | CIN
Reds' Edwin Rios: Back with Cincinnati on MiLB deal
The Reds re-signed Rios to a minor-league contract Feb. 1.
Rios went 1-for-10 at the plate during a brief stint with the Reds in 2024 but spent most of the year at Triple-A Louisville, where he slashed .286/.385/.547 with 22 homers in 99 games. He's likely headed back to Louisville to begin the 2025 season.