X-rays on Riley's right hand came back negative, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Riley had to exit Friday's Grapefruit League tilt versus the Nationals following a hit by pitch. While it appears for now that he has avoided any fractures, Bowman notes it was a CT scan that found a fracture in his right hand last season after an X-ray didn't turn up anything. Riley will receive a CT scan next.

The Diamondbacks optioned Kessinger to Triple-A Reno on Friday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

The 27-year-old was acquired from the Astros during the offseason after being designated for assignment, and he had a solid showing at the plate during spring training with a .294/.391/.353 slash line in 23 plate appearances. Kessinger is likely to spent most of 2025 with Reno but could receive a look in the big leagues if Arizona suffers some infield injuries.

Riley was removed from Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals as a precaution after being hit by a pitch on the right hand.

The hit-by-pitch was a scary moment for Atlanta and Riley, who sustained a fracture in the same hand last August that cost him the rest of the 2024 season. It's encouraging that the organization labeled his exit as a precaution, but the team will likely send him for medical imaging to get a clearer diagnosis.

Guardians manager Stephen Vogt indicated Friday that he's leaning toward batting Ramirez second this season, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Ramirez has spent the overwhelming majority of his career batting third, including in 2024 when 152 of his 158 starts were from the three hole. However, Vogt likes the idea of Ramirez hitting second, as it offers his best hitter more plate appearances and more RBI opportunities. It's not yet clear who would bat third for the Guardians in that scenario, but Kyle Manzardo, Carlos Santana and Lane Thomas have all been used in that spot of late during spring training.

Arenado is just 4-for-30 with one home run in his first 12 Grapefruit League games.

While the numbers aren't good, Arenado insists that he's "seeing the ball really well" this spring after having a "really hard time picking up the ball" last spring, per MLB.com. After an offseason of trade rumors, Arenado remains in St. Louis and will again be the club's everyday third baseman. He'll seek to bounce back offensively in 2025 after slashing a disappointing .272/.325/.394 with 16 home runs over 152 contests last season.

Chaparro was scratched from Friday's lineup against Atlanta after injuring his left side during batting practice, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Chaparro has put up a 1.008 OPS this spring as he competes for the final spot on the Nationals' bench, but he could now be looking at an absence. The club should offer more details on Chaparro later Friday.

Cincinnati manager Terry Francona suggested Thursday that Candelario and Gavin Lux could be part of a platoon at third base, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Francona wants to get as many competent bats into the lineup as possible, but that's shaping up to be a tricky task. Christian Encarnacion-Strand (three HRs, 1.000 OPS) has hit well this spring and looks like the best option for first base, which removes a potential path to playing time for Candelario. He could slot in at designated hitter if Spencer Steer (shoulder) is not ready for the start of the regular season. Lux can also handle second base or left field, which would allow both he and Candelario to be in the lineup against righties.

Noel is projected to make the Guardians' Opening Day roster by Mandy Bell and Tim Stebbins of MLB.com.

Noel has 15 strikeouts across 33 at-bats in Cactus League action this spring and doesn't offer much range in the outfield. On the other hand, he would provide some needed pop for the Guardians from the right side of the plate, as he maintained a .268 ISO across 198 plate appearances in his first taste of the majors last season. Assuming he does make the team, Noel is expected to begin the campaign splitting time with Will Brennan in right field.

Devers (shoulders) said Thursday that he is OK with being a designated hitter if that's where the Red Sox choose to use him, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Devers was speaking publicly for the first time since telling reporters in mid-February that he was a third baseman and was unwilling to be a DH. The 28-year-old has spoken with manager Alex Cora and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow since then, and while he wanted to keep the details of that conversation to himself, he now appears amendable to serving as the team's DH. The Red Sox have not yet announced a decision on where Devers or Alex Bregman will play, but all signs point to Devers indeed being the DH while Bregman handles third base. Devers homered during a simulated game Thursday and is expected to finally make his Grapefruit League debut Saturday against Atlanta.

Baty could be the Mets' Opening Day second baseman with Jeff McNeil (oblique) likely to begin the season on the injured list, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Baty has never played an inning at second base at the major-league level, but he started 27 games at the keystone last season at Triple-A Syracuse and has played there often this spring, including on Thursday in the Mets' first game after the McNeil injury was announced. Luisangel Acuna is also in the running to fill in for McNeil at second base, but DiComo projects Baty to be the favorite to get the first shot there.