MLB Player News

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.

Ibanez is in line to serve as the Rangers' starting third baseman on Opening Day after Isiah Kiner-Falefa was traded to the Twins on Saturday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Manager Chris Woodward said Friday that Kiner-Falefa was the favorite for the starting job at third base to begin the season, but Ibanez should now have the chance to step up at the hot corner once the 2022 campaign gets underway. However, Rangers president of baseball operations Jon Daniels said Saturday that Yonny Hernandez will also have a chance to compete for the starting job at the hot corner, while the team will also explore external options, Chris Halicke of SI.com reports. The 28-year-old Ibanez made his major-league debut in 2021 and slashed .277/.321/.435 with seven homers, 31 runs and 25 RBI in 76 games.

Stefanic will serve as a non-roster invitee for the Angels during spring training.

Stefanic progressed to the Triple-A level in 2021 and performed well across 104 appearances at Salt Lake, slashing .334/.408/.505 with 16 home runs, 67 runs, 56 RBI and six stolen bases. The 26-year-old will be able to develop with the big-league coaching staff this spring and could be in the mix to make his major-league debut at some point in 2022.

Kemp agreed to a one-year, $2.25 million deal with the A's on Monday, avoiding arbitration, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Kemp had by far the best year of his career in 2021, hitting .279/.382/.418 with eight home runs and eight steals in 131 games. He was worth 2.7 fWAR and split time between second base and left field. Kemp should once again play quite a bit, especially against right-handed pitching, in 2022.

Semien is signing a seven-year, $175 million contract with the Rangers, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

In Semien's one year with Toronto, the 31-year-old hit 45 home runs with 102 RBI and 15 stolen bases. Over the past three seasons, including his poor 2020 campaign, Semien has averaged 37 home runs and 93 RBI per 162 games while slashing .268/.346/.509. The 2021 Gold Glove winner is a good defender at second base and shortstop and joins a team lacking a strong option at either position.

Frazier was sent from San Diego to Seattle on Saturday in exchange for Ray Kerr and Corey Rosier, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Frazier started the season strong with the Pirates but was far more mediocre down the stretch following a trade to the Padres, though he still finished with a .305/.368/.411 slash line, good for a 114 wRC+. He makes a ton of contact, as his 10.8 percent strikeout rate was good for fourth among qualified hitters, but that contact is among the weakest in the league, with his 1.0 percent barrel rate ranking third-worst among that same group. Don't expect him to improve significantly on his meager five homers, but another average close to .300 is certainly possible and should come with plenty of runs if he settles into a role atop Seattle's lineup.

The Angels designated Wong for assignment Monday.

Wong will cede his spot on the 40-man roster to another utility type in Tyler Wade, whom the Angels acquired from the Yankees on Monday. Over his 66 plate appearances with the Angels in 2021, Wong slashed .167/.194/.233 with zero home runs, six RBI and three runs.

Diaz's contract was selected by the Athletics on Friday.

The move prevents Diaz from being selected in the Rule 5 draft. The 21-year-old has some potential and hit .288/.337/.483 in 90 games last season, but those at-bats all came at the High-A level, so he's not close to making his major-league debut.