MLB Player News

Semien, who has a .346/.333./.538 line through 26 spring at-bats, is focused on getting on base more consistently in 2017, John Shea of SFGate.com reports. "You see if you can shrink the zone a little, wait for your pitch and be more patient instead of being overly aggressive and getting yourself out," Semien said. "You do that, you're probably going to walk a little more and get more hits."

Semien experienced an impressive power surge in 2016, posting career highs in doubles (27), home runs (27), RBI (75), slugging percentage (.435) and OPS (.735). He also set a new high-water mark with 51 walks, which came over 621 plate appearances, and he posted just a .238 average and .300 OBP, numbers he's looking to boost significantly in the coming campaign. The slugging shortstop actually was among the more patient hitters in baseball: The 4.16 pitches per plate appearance he averaged ranked him ninth in the AL and 19th in the majors. However, the veteran had a notable weakness with two-strike at-bats, particularly on full counts, scenarios in which he hit .164 and struck out 29 times. He also hit an anemic .043 on 0-2 counts, .170 in 1-2 counts and .173 in 2-2 counts, further illustrating his struggles with his back against the wall. Semien therefore will look to have greater discipline in those situations, which could propel his all-around game to the next level. "That's probably the next step for him," manager Bob Melvin said of Semien's 3-2 approach. "Obviously, he's gotten to the point where he can get into the count. It's finishing it off and maybe taking a walk and not trying to chase a pitch. Sometimes that's tough for a power guy to do."

Espinosa went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in Saturday's loss to the Dodgers, bringing his Cactus League batting average down to .105 in 19 at-bats.

The Angels brought Espinosa in from Washington to help alleviate their weakness at the keystone, but he has struggled to find his groove with his new club. The 29-year-old has never been a great contact hitter, striking out at least 25 percent of the time in all seven of his major league seasons. Despite his struggles, Espinosa will start the year as the Angels' everyday second baseman. He will undoubtedly be a drag on batting average, but the switch-hitting infielder has 20-plus home run potential over the course of a whole season.

Andrus went 0-for-3 with a strikeout in Saturday's game against the White Sox.

The Rangers have been taking it slow with Andrus, who underwent surgery for a sports hernia last November and hadn't been on a field until Saturday's game. He'll continue to work on his timing and build toward Opening Day.

Manager Terry Francona said Mathias suffered a dislocated left shoulder in Saturday's game, Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com reports.

This doesn't come as too much of a surprise for Mathias, who was carted off the field with an arm injury. No timetable has been set for his return, but it's expected that the 22-year-old will miss extended time with the injury.

Mathias was carted off the field Saturday with an injury he sustained while diving to make a catch, Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com reports.

Hoynes also noted the trainers were keeping his arm stable as they were carting him off, so it seems likely that is where he sustained the injury. The severity still isn't known, but his status will be updated when the Indians release more about his injury.

Andrus will start at shortstop and bat second in Saturday's Cactus League game, his first of the spring.

Andrus has been easing back into action this spring after undergoing sports hernia surgery during the offseason, but his long-awaited return appears to have arrived. Nonetheless, with less than a month until Opening Day, fantasy owners would be wise to monitor how he responds in his first action of the spring. Andrus is looking to build off a stellar 2016 campaign in which he posted career highs in both batting average (.302) and RBI (69).

Gonzalez went 2-for-2 with a home run in Thursday's exhibition game against Columbia. He's hitting .571 (8-for-14) this spring. "He's done really well. He's been a pleasant surprise," the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Gonzalez would appear to be a long shot to win a big league job since he's 27 years old and has played just 17 games above Double-A. However, a strong spring could put him in position to be one of the first callups in the infield if the Twins need depth this summer.

Andrus (groin) faced live batting practice on practice fields of Rangers camp Thursday, Stefan Stevenson of the Star-Telegram reports.

Stevenson posted a video of Andrus taking hacks. It coincides with reports that the shortstop would be turning up the dial on his preseason exercises, and the speedster should return to game action this weekend. Of course, considering he's drafted mainly for stolen bases, his showing on the basepaths will go a long way to confirm the veteran's safety for mixed fantasy drafts.

Andrus (groin) is expected to increase his baseball activities and play in a spring game this weekend, Stefan Stevenson of the Star-Telegram reports.

The shortstop has only built up his work gradually this spring after November surgery to repair a sports hernia. How he responds in his first March games should go a long way to revealing how safely fantasy owners can buy him as a source of steals in mixed league drafts.

Semien went 3-for-3 with a pair of run-scoring singles, an RBI double, a run and a stolen base in Tuesday's 21-13 Cactus League win over the Diamondbacks.

Semien now has a team-high seven RBI and is slashing .333/.333/.611 over 18 at-bats. Based on early returns, the 26-year-old appears primed to build on a 2016 campaign in which he posted a career-high 27 homers and 75 RBI while boasting a personal-best .611 slugging percentage and .197 ISO.