MLB Player News

Andrus (groin) will report to Rangers camp on Saturday and will be brought along slowly as he recovers from his sports hernia, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Fantasy players should monitor Andrus' progress as their drafts approach, but he may not do much until spring training games start. His speed-first stock may depend heavily on how quickly he can get to 100 percent, which makes him only worth drafting in the middle to late rounds of mixed drafts.

Motter, who arrived in Seattle via a five-player trade with the Rays on Nov. 18, is a candidate for the team's utility role, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

On the defensive side of the equation, the 27-year-old just exudes "utility", as he was deployed at every position except for catcher and center field last season in Tampa. However, his bat proved to be an Achilles' heel during his 2016 cup of coffee with the big league club, with Motter slashing just .188/.290/.300 over 93 plate appearances. Therefore, Motter he'll need to demonstrate increased proficiency at the plate during the exhibition slate to unseat veteran incumbent Shawn O'Malley, who is considered the favorite for the job going in to spring training. Mike Freeman, who logged his first 24 major league plate appearances with the Diamondbacks and Mariners last season, is also on hand to complete alongside Motter for the role.

Elmore signed a minor league contract with the Blue Jays that includes an invite to spring training, Toronto radio play-by-play broadaster Mike Wilner reports.

Elmore hit .218 in 78 big-league at-bats last year and has bounced between Triple-A and the majors over the last four seasons. If he sticks with the Jays, he'll likely take on a similar role as organizational depth around the infield and outfield.

Altuve will participate in the World Baseball Classic for Team Venezuela.

There should be no concerns about Altuve's ability to handle the added load of the WBC, as the four-time All-Star has averaged 154 games played over the previous five seasons. The 26-year-old second baseman will be making his World Baseball Classic debut. A two-time American League batting champion, Altuve last year hit .338 with a league-leading 216 hits, while posting 108 runs, 42 doubles, 24 homers, 96 RBI, 60 walks, 30 stolen bases and a career-high .928 OPS.

Kemp hit .217/.296/.325 in 120 at-bats over 59 games for the Astros in 2016.

Kemp, who made his MLB debut last season, was raised a second baseman, but with Jose Altuve locked in there, he had a clearer path to the majors as an outfielder. His 2016 line suggests he needs more development, even though Kemp already has a season's worth of games and plate appearances at Triple-A Fresno over the past two seasons. His 2017 fate was sealed when Houston signed free agents Josh Reddick and Carlos Beltran, while claiming Nori Aoki off waivers. Those three additions should push Kemp and other Triple-A outfield prospects, Teoscar Hernandez, Derek Fisher and Preston Tucker, down the depth chart.

Johnson was invited to major league spring training Thursday.

Johnson got his first taste of Triple-A last season, but he only managed to bat .226 in just under 400 at-bats. His 12.8 percent walk rate certainly is impressive, but at age 26, he'll likely be relegated to the minors until he can hit upper-level pitching more consistently.

Franklin is a candidate to take over the Rays' currently vacant second base job this coming spring, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports.

The 25-year-old infielder put together a career-best slash line of .270/.328/.443 over 174 at-bats last season, posting his best homer (12) and RBI (45) totals since his 2013 rookie campaign in the process. Franklin saw action at first base, second base, shortstop and both corner outfield spots in 2016, while also putting in six games as the DH, a testament to his considerable versatility. With the trade of Logan Forsythe to the Dodgers on Jan. 23, the starting second base job could come down to Franklin and the talented but inconsistent Tim Beckham this spring.

Giavotella agreed to a minor league deal with the Orioles on Wednesday, Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports.

The 29-year-old spent the better part of the past two seasons with the Angels big league club, slashing .267/.305/.375 over 869 plate appearances as their primary second baseman. Despite his below average glove, he offers the Orioles much needed infield depth and will compete for a bench spot in spring training.

Torres received an invitation to the big league club's spring training.

Coming off a standout showing at the Arizona Fall League where he hit .403 with a 1.158 OPS, Torres has been tabbed as one of the Yankees' most promising prospects, so it comes as no surprise that he'll train at their top camp. Although Torres is sound in the field and has continued improving his swing, chances remain slim that he'll make his way up to the majors in 2017. At just 20 years old, Torres has yet to play above the High-A level and is slated to begin the coming season at Double-A Tampa.

Petit signed a minor league contract with the Blue Jays on Tuesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Sportsnet's Shi Davidi reports.

Petit was designated for assignment by the Angels this offseason after a rough 2016 campaign in which the utility infielder posted a wRC+ of 78 over 89 games played. He'll likely serve as organizational infield depth for the Blue Jays in 2017.