Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said that infielder Ezequiel Duran will now spend more time at third base and the infield as a whole than in the outfield with starting third baseman Josh Jung (calf) out for two to three weeks with a calf strain suffered in Friday. The team's No. 6 prospect, Justin Foscue, will also get reps at the hot corner, but he'll likely get most of his reps on the right side of the infield at first and second. Jung's injury also opens the door for the coaching staff to get more in-depth looks at non-roster invitees Jonathan Ornelas, Davis Wendzel and Matt Duffy. Duran and Josh Smith will see a lot of time on the left side of the infield this spring with Jung and Corey Seager (groin) injured. Duran, 24, got off to a great start in 2023 before fading down the stretch and not even playing in the team's World Series run. His versatility is an asset, but playing time is going to be hard to come by unless injuries open up time for him on the infield.

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been working out with personal trainer Nicole Gabriel for much of the winter, and by the looks of images and videos posted to her Instagram account, Guerrero's results are impressive, according to the Toronto Sun's Rob Longley. "I think there will be some impressed eyes in camp," manager John Schneider said. "He's in a good spot. I know the work he's done. (Hitting coach Guillermo Martinez) was over to see him hit the other day and said he looks really, really good." The 24-year-old's fitness has been a topic of discussion for most of his career, and he admits his health was part of the story of his disappointing 2023 campaign in which he hit .264 with 26 home runs. Still, Guerrero had 94 RBI and is RotoBaller's No. 5 fantasy first baseman with a high floor entering the 2024 campaign.

The San Francisco Giants have signed veteran Pablo Sandoval to a minor league contract, according to Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic. Sandoval's deal includes an invitation to major league spring training. The 37-year-old has been out of Major League Baseball since 2021, and he was most recently a member of Dubai's Abu Dhabi Falcons after being selected in the Baseball United Draft last October. It's hard to envision Sandoval making the Opening Day roster, but at the very least, he provides depth, competition, and an invaluable veteran presence. Last measured at 5-foot-10 and 268 pounds, the former All-Star third baseman now figures to spend most of his time at first base or designated hitter.

Chicago Cubs infielder Christopher Morel is focusing on playing third base as Spring Training gets underway, manager Craig Counsell told the media on Saturday. The Cubs' new skipper explained that he wants to maximize Morel's impact both in the field and at the plate, and he thinks he can do so by giving the 24-year-old a more consistent role on defense. To be precise, Counsell said, "Christopher's done so much with the bat, that it's our job to figure out the best way to deploy it." Indeed, Morel impressed through 107 games last year, slashing .247/.313/.508 with 26 homers, 71 RBI, and 119 wRC+. He was the Cubs' designated hitter for more than half the season, adding 28 appearances in the outfield and 26 in the infield, including five at third base. He finished 2023 with -12.9 dWAR.

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Kyle Wright (right shoulder) has been placed on the 60-day injured list, according to an announcement from the team. His 40-man roster spot will be given to John Schreiber after he was traded from Boston to Kansas City on Saturday. This is merely a procedural move given that Wright will likely miss the entire 2024 season while he recovers from shoulder surgery. Acquired from Atlanta this offseason, Wright has spent parts of six years in the majors but has registered double-digit appearances just once (2022).