MLB Player News

Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus was held out of Wednesday's spring opener against the Royals due to mild patella tendinitis in his left knee. He is not scheduled to play in the first four Cactus League games, per MLB.com.

Angels manager Mike Scioscia is weighing how much emphasis to put on spring-training performance as he decides how to approach the second-base position this season, MLB.com reports.

"A lot of it is to see what the best fit is for your group of guys, what your lineup needs are," Scioscia said. "There's an absolute to people winning jobs at spring training. Probably not at the analysis you're looking at -- 'Oh, he hit .340 in spring training' -- but there are a lot of things we're looking at as to how a guy fits in our lineup. You can make the team in spring, for sure, with the things that you show."

Scioscia hasn't ruled out the option of using multiple players at the position as the situation dictates.

"That's one of the options," he said. "There are guys that have the ability to go out there and do what we need to do on the defensive end and the offensive end, and we'll see who emerges and who gives us the best look."

Josh Rutledge highlights a second-base competition that also includes Grant Green, Johnny Giavotella and Taylor Featherston.

Athletics infielder Marcus Semien hit two home runs in his spring debut on Tuesday.

Semien didn't take long to strike. In his first at-bat, Semien crushed an 0-2 pitch from Madison Bumgarner for a two-run shot. He added a solo shot in the fifth inning off Cody Hall. Semien finished 3 for 3, with two runs scored and four RBI. He's expected to open the season as the team's starting shortstop. 

Rays infielder Nick Franklin will be battling for the starting job at shortstop this spring, and he has no doubts he can play the position at the major-league level.

"Absolutely," Franklin said, per the Tampa Bay Times. "Absolutely. 100 percent. I've grown up playing shortstop. Even at the big-league level, playing short just seems natural to me. I enjoy it. I'm really comfortable there. … It's been in my blood for a long time.

"I wouldn't say I need any work. Honestly, I think over these past years I've improved a significant amount at shortstop. … I've been practicing all offseason at short. And there's really no weakness."

The Rays plan to take most of the spring to decide who will be the team's starting shortstop, but Franklin seems pretty confident he will emerge as the victor in the competition.

"I'm going to be out there at short," he said. "There's not a doubt in my mind that I'm not."

Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus said his left knee felt better Tuesday, but he is unlikely to play in Wednesday's spring opener against the Royals, per the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Andrus added the injury is not considered serious.

“I don’t want to be 50 percent and not be able to hustle,” Andrus said, per The Dallas Morning News. “I’m still getting a lot of treatment and some massage, but the leg is loosening up. I did a lot of lifting all winter and I think it’s just a little tight.”

Manager Bob Melvin indicated that five players are competing to bat second in the Athletics lineup this season, the Bay Area News Group reports.

Shortstop Ben Zobrist, second baseman Marcus Semien, third baseman Brett Lawrie and outfielders Sam Fuld and Craig Gentry are all in the mix for the second spot in the lineup.

The Athletics opened last season with third baseman Josh Donaldson slotted second, but Donaldson has since been traded to Toronto.

Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus met with Dr. Keith Meister after leaving Sunday's workout due to a sore left knee, general manager Jon Daniels said Monday. Although, the diagnosis seems positive, as Dr. Meister doesn't think Andrus' injury is anything serious, per Daniels.

Andrus won't play in Monday's intrasquad game, but he will hit in the batting cages. Andrus could also be ready to play in Wednesday's spring opener against the Royals.

Gordon Beckham's main goal this spring training is to win the White Sox's starting second baseman position. 

But for now, the White Sox are planning to use him at multiple positions in the infield during Cactus League play, according to MLB.com. This is somewhat new for Beckham, as he played second base during his first five-plus Major League seasons with the White Sox. 

Though Beckham is looking to earn the starting job at second base, he seems to be enjoying playing multiple spots so far. 

"I'm actually kind of enjoying running around," Beckham said. "I like popping around the infield. I know the coaches and the people making the decisions know I can play second base and know I can play it well. There has been an emphasis on them just telling me to get some work in other places."

Beckham actually played shortstop in college at the University of Georgia and played that position, as well as third base, after the White Sox traded him to the Angels. He was brought back to Chicago on a one-year deal. 

Beckham hit a single-season worse .226 for both the Angels and White Sox a season ago. 

Gordon Beckham's main goal this spring training is to win the White Sox's  starting second baseman position. 

But for now, the White Sox are planning to use him at multiple positions in the infield during Cactus League play, according to MLB.com. This is somewhat new for Beckham, as he played second base during his first five-plus Major League seasons with the White Sox. 

Though Beckham is looking to earn the starting job at second base, he seems to be enjoying playing multiple spots so far. 

"I'm actually kind of enjoying running around," Beckham said. "I like popping around the infield. I know the coaches and the people making the decisions know I can play second base and know I can play it well. There has been an emphasis on them just telling me to get some work in other places."

Beckham actually played shortstop in college at the University of Georgia and played that position, as well as third base, after the White Sox traded him to the Angels. He was brought back to Chicago on a one-year deal. 

Beckham hit a single-season worse .226 for both the Angels and White Sox a season ago. 

Angels manager Mike Scioscia hinted that the second base job is wide open, and did not close the door on the possibility of using a combination of players, including Josh Rutledge, Grant Green, Johnny Giavotella and Taylor Featherston for the position, per the Orange County Register.

"If it's a combination, it's a combination," Scioscia said. "If it's one guy, it's one guy."