MLB Player News

Polanco was optioned to Triple-A Rochester.

Polanco had an impressive spring as he hit .286 (8-for-28) with a home run. Polanco hit .289/.346/.393 at Double-A Chattanooga last year, but had just a .661 OPS at Triple-A. He was just 21 last season, so he could improve rapidly in his second stint at Triple-A. It's possible he could be a starter in the infield in the majors this summer if injuries strike.

Forsythe (elbow) went 1-for-3 with a solo homer in Thursday's 6-1 spring victory over the Phillies.

Two days after being hit by a pitch against the Phillies, Forsythe was back in the lineup and leading off Thursday's game with a solo homer to center field off Philadelphia starter Vince Velasquez. Although he whiffed in his other two at-bats, the 29-year-old infielder is hitting a scorching .478 (11-for-23) with a homer and two RBI this spring.

Andrus left camp Thursday with an illness, Stefan Stevenson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Illnesses have been going around spring training camps like wildfire, and Andrus and Josh Hamilton (knee) became the most recent victims. That being said, they should be able to return to camp within the next few days barring any extraneous circumstances.

In 11 Grapefruit League appearances, Fontana is 2-for-14 (.143) with four walks and an RBI.

Fontana projects to be a utility infielder in the big leagues some day, but Astros manager A.J. Hinch loves Marwin Gonzalez, who will play all over the diamond in that role this season. The 24-year-old will likely return to Triple-A Fresno to open 2016.

Semien had his first multi-hit game of the spring Monday, going 2-for-4 against the Giants.

Semien enters 2016 in a better place than spring 2015, now clearly slotted in as the A's starting shortstop. Offensively, Semien provided nice fantasy value in 2015, compiling 15 homers to go with 11 stolen bases. Semien's big issue was the large number of errors he had at shortstop, but he seemed to gain comfort and confidence with the leather in the second half under the tutelage of Ron Washington. With the A's lineup stronger and deeper in 2016, it is still up in the air where Semien may slot in the lineup which could affect his runs and RBI, but he should be a nice source of speed and power for fantasy owners later in drafts at a thin position.

Forsythe (elbow) is expected to play in Thursday's game, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The 29-year-old's injury was minor as expected, and he can now return to preparing for Opening Day. Forsythe set career highs in pretty much every major statistical category last season and will look to continue that production in 2016. He is a candidate to lead off for Tampa Bay.

Forsythe is day-to-day after leaving Tuesday's game with a left elbow contusion, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Forsythe's injury was a result of being hit by a pitch in the first inning. The 29-year-old is off to a great start this spring, hitting .500/.524/.742 with six runs and five doubles. It doesn't seem like his injury is severe, but it is a situation worth keeping an eye on.

Polanco went 3-for-5 in Monday's spring training win over St. Louis. He's hitting .280 (7-for-25) with a home run this spring.

Polanco is in the running for a reserve infielder role, but more likely begins the season at Triple-A. Polanco hit .289/.346/.393 at Double-A Chattanooga last year, but had just a .661 OPS at Triple-A. He was just 21 last season, so he could improve rapidly in his second stint at Triple-A.

Manager Kevin Cash said that Forsythe is one of the many candidates for the Rays' leadoff spot in 2016, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Forsythe didn't bat leadoff a single time in 2015, staying primarily at the cleanup or fifth spot in the batting order. The 29-year-old profiles decently as a leadoff hitter given his .359 OBP last season, but the career-high 68 RBI he compiled last season could take a hit, while his runs scored would tick up if the change does come to fruition.

Manager Scott Servais suggested Marte will bat second for the Mariners this season, the Tacoma News-Tribune's Bob Dutton reports. "The speed feature at the top is really a nice element to add in front of the core of our lineup," Servais said.

Servais likes the idea of keeping his speed guys together, with Leonys Martin batting ninth, Nori Aoki batting leadoff, and Marte batting second in front of Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz, Kyle Seager and Adam Lind. This is excellent news for Marte's fantasy prospects, as he will not only be a major contributor in runs and steals, but he'll also get more RBI opportunities than he would if he was batting eighth or ninth.