MLB Player News

Manager Terry Francona said Rosario will split time between shortstop and left field this season, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Rosario was primarily a shortstop last season, but Cleveland's prospect pool is deep at that position, whereas there's no clear everyday starter across the outfield yet. In 2021, Rosario slashed a solid .282/.321/.409 with 13 stolen bases, 11 home runs, 57 RBI and 77 runs scored in 141 games while often hitting near the top of the order. Those numbers play better in fantasy as a shortstop, but it was the second-best season of his career, and his .340 BABIP suggests some slight regression may be due.

Merrifield is expected to begin the season as the Royals' primary right fielder, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

Merrifield provided quality defense at second base last season, but the Royals plan on using Adalberto Mondesi at shortstop, which moves Nicky Lopez back to second. This likely won't affect Merrifield's versatility -- he's moved between the infield and outfield with relative ease before and will likely draw some starts in a number of positions this season. The 33-year-old hasn't missed a game in this last three seasons and he's twice logged 40 stolen bases in his career, so he's a quality fantasy option for managers in need of speed.

Lopez is likely to open the season as the Royals' primary second baseman, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

Getting Adalberto Mondesi back on a regular basis, plus the expected arrival of Bobby Witt, gives the Royals a lot of flexibility in the infield. Lopez primarily played shortstop last season with Mondesi battling a number of injuries. It was a breakout season for Lopez -- he slashed .300/.365/.378 with 22 stolen bases, six triples and two home runs in 151 games. With a shift back to the keystone for Lopez, Whit Merrifield would likely take on an everyday role in right field, though his versatility could see him spell a number of players around the diamond.

Wong signed a minor-league contract with the Angels on Wednesday that includes an invite to major-league spring training.

Wong was let go by the Angels in late November after he appeared in 32 games with the club in 2021 and slashed .167/.194/.233 with six RBI and three runs. Even if he joins the major-league club at some point in 2022, he's unlikely to have a significant role.

Texas manager Chris Woodward suggested Tuesday that a platoon at third base is possible, but indicated Ibanez could be the everyday starter, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Although prospect Josh Jung (shoulder) will eventually take control of third base, his injury will keep him out until late in the season. Who mans the hot corner until Jung is ready should be one of the more closely watched job battles in camp. Ibanez slashed .277/.321/.435 with a 107 OPS+ through 76 games in 2021, but only 11 of those came at third base. He's improved his defense since joining the Rangers, and he appears to have the offensive edge over other candidates. "As far as Andy goes, if he hits, if he plays the position really well and hits at a high clip, he may end up being the everyday guy," Woodward said, while adding Ibanez will have to earn it. The manager said Nick Solak, who had been mentioned as a candidate, will mainly be focused on left field. Yonny Hernandez remains in the mix, but he doesn't have the offensive profile that Ibanez does. Any prospects that profile at third base are unlikely, as president of baseball operations Jon Daniels emphasized the organization will not rush prospects.

Torres' starting role for 2022 is in question following Tuesday's re-signing of Anthony Rizzo and the recent acquisitions of Josh Donaldson and Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Brendan Kuty of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Torres had 62 homers and 167 RBI across his first two big-league seasons, but over the past two years he's managed only 12 home runs and 67 RBI in 169 contests. The drop-off was cause for concern heading into 2022, and the Yankees now boast a deeper infield group. Kiner-Falefa has a strong glove and should remain at shortstop, leaving Torres and DJ LeMahieu to potentially split time at the keystone with Donaldson at third base and Rizzo at first. However, Donaldson could see more action as the designated hitter in his age-36 season, which would open up opportunities across the infield. It remains to be seen exactly how the Yankees split up the playing time, but Torres could be the odd man out for the starting infield unless LeMahieu primarily operates as a super-utility player.

Rodriguez has been invited to big-league camp this spring.

Rodriguez progressed to High-A Winston-Salem in August of 2021 and finished the year by making four appearances at Double-A Birmingham. Across 33 games with the two clubs, he hit .346 with five homers, 21 runs, 19 RBI and five stolen bases. The 20-year-old will develop with the big-league coaching staff this spring but appears likely to begin the 2022 campaign in Birmingham.

Boston manager Alex Cora said Hernandez could be the starting center fielder on Opening Day, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Cora left some wiggle room, stating the team is still looking to add bodies that could help improve the team, but the manager mentioned an outfield of Hernandez in center, Alex Verdugo in left and Jackie Bradley in right. Bradley, a defensive whiz who patrolled center field for several years in a Red Sox uniform, was originally seen as the starter there, but Cora is not locked into that. Hernandez could also start at second base, pending additional player acquisitions between now and Opening Day.

Andrus (lower leg) has been running the bases over the past month and could be free of restrictions to open spring training, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Andrus underwent two procedures to repair the fractured left fibula he sustained while scoring a game-winning run against the Astros on Sept. 25. While the 33-year-old should be able to take part in drills unencumbered based on manager Mark Kotsay's latest comments, Andrus will likely be eased into exhibition action. The veteran posted a .243/.294/.320 slash line across 146 games last season, but with his dependable defense and contact rate, he still projects to serve as the primary option at shortstop if healthy to open the season.

Rangers president of baseball operations Jon Daniels said Saturday that Hernandez will have a chance to compete for the starting job at third base ahead of the regular season, Chris Halicke of SI.com reports.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa entered spring training as the favorite to serve as the Rangers' starting third baseman on Opening Day, but he was traded to Minnesota on Saturday in exchange for catcher Mitch Garver. Hernandez saw his first major-league action in 2021, and he hit .217 with 15 runs, six RBI and 11 stolen bases across 43 games. Andy Ibanez likely enters camp as the slight favorite for playing time at the hot corner, but it sounds as though Hernandez will be given a chance to carve out at-bats.