MLB Player News

While it was never a question that Betts would be a starter in 2024, there was some doubt as to where he would play. The 31-year-old had been a full-time outfielder since Boston converted him from middle infield prior to making his big league debut in 2014. As a big leaguer, Betts had only appeared in 30 games at 2B in his first eight seasons before starting 62 games there for the Dodgers in 2023. He graded out just below average with a -1 Outs Above Average despite putting up an Outs Above Average of 2 in center field and -1 in right field. Roberts suggested that moving Betts to second base would provide some relief for Mookie, physically, and give him a better chance to be in the lineup as much as possible. With Betts locked in at the keystone in 2024, that should be good news for James Outman’s playing time, as well as the potential playing time for newly re-signed outfielder Jason Heyward.

Electrifying Mets rookie Nolan McLean takes the ball as Team USA looks to remain unbeaten in pool play following a thrilling victory over Mexico on Monday night. Judge has served as Team USA’s primary offensive catalyst, hitting .333 (4-for-12) with two homers and five RBI through three contests during the international showcase. Here’s the full lineup: Bobby Witt Jr. (SS), Gunnar Henderson (3B), Judge (RF), Kyle Schwarber (DH), Will Smith (C), Roman Anthony (LF), Paul Goldschmidt (1B), Ernie Clement (2B) and Pete Crow-Armstrong (CF).

The latest batch of cuts from Cardinals camp pares things down to 43 players with just over two weeks left until Opening Day. Davis was St. Louis’ first-round pick back in 2023 and has yet to reach the majors. Zimmermann was in camp as a non-roster invitee after making one late-season spot start for the Brewers last year.

Mayo put the Orioles on the board with a 434-foot home run off of Lance McCullers that left the bat at 108 mph. He also added a 103 mph single and a 100 mph single on the day. This spring, Mayo has gone 13-for-26 with one home run, 10 RBI, and just one strikeout. He also only has one walk, so he is clearly taking a more aggressive approach, but that could work for him with his plus raw power. Mayo should start the season at third base with Jordan Westburg (oblique/elbow) out, and if he hits, he will continue to see regular at-bats. He looks like a clear post-hype “sleeper” right about now.

Smith knocked in his first run on an infield single in the first inning, but then blasted a 106 mph ground rule double to score another run in the sixth inning. The 23-year-old took an extreme groundball approach in the second half of the 2025 season to make consistent contact and get his batting average up, but he has been clearly trying to pull and lift the ball more this spring. Given what Smith did in his MLB at-bats last season with barely any plate appearances in the high minors, we should expect him to take a clear step forward this season, and he is outplaying Zach Cole for a starting outfield role.

Both runs came on a two-run home run by Coby Mayo; however, McCullers did allow five hard-hit balls in just three innings, which isn’t great. He did post a 27 percent whiff rate and 35 percent CSW and threw 65 percent strikes, so it wasn’t all bad. McCullers also sat 93.2 mph on his four-seam fastball, which is up over one mph from what he averaged during the season last year. He also held the velocity through all three innings, which is a good sign. We can’t say how long McCullers will stay healthy, but he does appear to be healthy right now heading into the season.

Riley Greene hit a fly ball to left field that went over the fence, but somehow has no Statcast information whatsoever in a game that was also not broadcast on television. Regardless, we can assure you that he did hit a home run off Sonny Gray, and it was his first of the spring. Greene has talked about making a concerted effort to cut down on his strikeouts this season, and he has five in 21 plate appearances this spring, which is a clear improvement from what we saw last year. Now we need to see him carry that over into regular-season action.

The 27-year-old now has 16 steals in 15 games while slashing .448/.543/.483. He also stole 57 bases between Double-A and Triple-A last season, so he is a name to keep an eye on if an injury opens up a spot in Boston’s outfield this season.

Carroll has been sidelined since early February after undergoing hamate bone surgery, but he has been at the facility and rehabbing the entire time. He will now get into a spring training game multiple weeks before the start of the season, which means he should easily be in the lineup on Opening Day.

Gray also struck out four and walked one. Gray threw 61 percent strikes overall but just 50 percent first pitch strikes. He was able to get whiffs with his curve and registered a 17 percent whiff rate and 27 percent CSW. Gray’s velocity looks good, and he threw eight different pitches on Tuesday, so everything seems on track for him to start the season.

Sweeney has been shut down all spring training with a right shoulder strain. That has opened up an opportunity for Kevin McGonigle to push for the starting shortstop job. If he takes that, it’s unlikely that Sweeney would get it back.