MLB Player News

Andrus (groin) says he will ramp up his running next week as he continues his recovery from sports hernia surgery, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Andrus has been running at only 50 percent speed thus far, a precautionary measure as he eases back into action. The shortstop is already participating in all baseball activities and is expected to participate in a live game sometime within the coming month. It appears Andrus is well on the road back to full health, but it's worth monitoring the situation as spring camp progresses.

Andrus (groin) will sit out the Rangers' Cactus League opener Saturday as he continues to take things slow in spring training, TR Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

Texas will not rush him back as he recovers from sports hernia surgery, though fantasy players will want to see him in action for at least a week's worth of games to feel comfortable plucking him in the middle to late rounds of mixed drafts. Last season (.302, eight home runs, 69 RBI, 75 runs, 24 steals) might've been his peak, so be careful not to pay for more than that in 2017.

Kemp is taking most of his repetitions at second base during spring training, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Kemp appeared in 59 games for the Astros in 2016, almost exclusively in left field, but offseason acquisitions leave him out of the outfield picture. So, it' s back to the position with which he's most familiar. Unfortunately, that's the spot already occupied by Jose Altuve, so we can expect Kemp to start the season playing second base for Triple-A Fresno.

A's manager Bob Melvin said Barreto will spend his time at shortstop and second base this spring, John Hickey of The Mercury News reports.

The club's top prospect is knocking loudly on the door for a job with the big club sometime this coming season. Though Marcus Semien has locked down shortstop, Barreto may have a shot at second base, currently occupied by injury-prone Jed Lowrie and other uninspiring options. Whenever he's called up, he may immediately jump toward the top of the order. He's a difference-making bat worth stashing in deep leagues, though the wait is much easier to endure in AL-only games because of the late-season upside he'd offer.

Rodriguez is one of three candidates in the race for the team's utility role on the bench, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Rodriguez is competing for the job against Michael Martinez and Erik Gonzalez, both of whom had stints with the Tribe last season. Although the 24-year-old Rodriguez is the long shot, the coaches are reportedly keeping a close eye on all the possible options. Rodriguez hit .258/.293/.400 with 10 homers, 59 RBI and scored 48 runs for Triple-A Columbus last season.

Andrus (groin) says he is working out at 80-90 percent of full strength and participating in all baseball activities, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

The veteran shortstop underwent sports hernia surgery this offseason, but says he has no limitations on his workouts thus far and simply needs to build up his strength. Andrus is coming off perhaps the best season of his career, in which he slashed .302/.362/.439 and contributed 69 RBI. Expect the Rangers to be cautious with easing him back into action.

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.