MLB Player News

Hernandez has "done everything possible" to be the Red Sox's leadoff hitter per manager Alex Cora, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Hernandez doesn't fit the traditional mold of a leadoff man, as he's never stolen more than four bases in a season. He doesn't entirely fit the modern mold, either, as he owns a career .313 on-base percentage and has come in at .308 or below in that category in four of the last five seasons. His .270 on-base percentage last season was a career low, as was his 4.1 percent walk rate, but he's evidently done enough to impress Cora. The leadoff role would be a boost to his fantasy value primarily through the extra plate appearances it comes with and should also boost his run total, albeit at the likely cost of a handful of RBI.

Entering play Monday, Merrifield has gone 12-for-27 (.444 average) with four doubles and a 0-for-2 success rate on stolen-base attempts through 10 Cactus League games.

With batting averages of .280 or better in every season of his career, Merrifield looks poised to find himself near the top of the AL leaderboard category during his sixth season in Kansas City. He'll likely chip in plenty of runs while reprising his familiar role as the Royals' leadoff man, and while the 30-plus steals he notched in both 2017 and 2018 are probably out of reach at this stage of his career, the 32-year-old should at least remain a double-digit stolen-base threat. Merrifield's Statcast-measured sprint speed ranked in the 89th percentile of all players in 2020, suggesting he still boasts some premium wheels.

Barreto will be shut down for four to six weeks due to elbow inflammation, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Barreto had been pushing to win a utility role but now won't get to fill that role in the early part of the season. He won't start building back up until late April at the earliest and then will still need a fair amount of time before he's ready for game action. Luis Rengifo now looks likely to break camp with the Angels in a bench spot.

Arraez could share the leadoff role against right-handed pitchers with Max Kepler this season, manager Rocco Baldelli told MLB.com. Arraez hit leadoff Sunday and went 2-for-3 with a walk and double. He's hitting .300 (9-for-30) this spring.

Arraez will move to a utility role this season with the Twins signing Andrelton Simmons to play shortstop and moving Jorge Polanco to second base. However, he's expected to get near everyday duty as starters are rested regularly. The Twins may not have a set lineup as manager Rocco Baldelli likes to play matchups each game, but it sounds like Arraez will be in the leadoff mix.

Castro could find himself left off the Opening Day roster, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

The strong play of Rule 5 draft pick Akil Baddoo is a bad development for Castro. The Tigers have to keep Baddoo on the roster or give him back to the division-rival Twins, so he will likely be a fifth outfielder who makes the team. Detroit also has Niko Goodrum in a utility role, and Renato Nunez, Nomar Mazara and Grayson Greiner all figure to earn bench spots as well. That likely leaves Castro as the odd man out, at least to begin the season. The 27-year-old had a strong .347/.407/.429 slash line in 22 games last year, so he's capable of producing if he's able to get some time in the majors at some point in 2021.

Biggio has gone 6-for-25 (.240) through 12 Grapefruit League games with two doubles, a triple, a home run, three stolen bases in three attempts and a 6:4 BB:K.

The 25-year-old has been displaying the patience, extra-base power and intelligence on the basepaths that have made him such a sought-after commodity at the draft table. Biggio has played a full season's worth of games (159) in the majors over the last years, posting a .240/.368/.430 slash line with 24 homers, 76 RBI, 88 runs and 20 steals, and his production could take another step forward in 2021.

Polanco (thigh) will start at second base and bat cleanup in Sunday's spring game against the Orioles.

The 27-year-old has been sidelined the past few days by left adductor tightness, but he'll return to Grapefruit League action Sunday. Barring a setback, Polanco shouldn't have any issues being available for Opening Day.

Altuve batted leadoff and went 0-for-3 in Saturday's spring game against St. Louis.

Altuve batted atop the order for the fifth consecutive game, suggesting that manager Dusty Baker is settling on him as the team's leadoff hitter. Baker would like to have stability at that spot and has tried out Myles Straw and Carlos Correa in addition to Altuve, who has the most MLB experience batting leadoff of the three.

Estrada was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday.

Estrada was competing for a depth role on the major-league roster this spring but will begin the regular season in the minors. He went 3-for-18 with one RBI and three strikeouts over 10 spring games this year.

Torres is slashing .320/.370/.600 with two homers, three RBI and a stolen base in 10 Grapefruit League games.

Torres had a down season in 2020, batting just .243 with three homers in 160 plate appearances after smashing 38 long balls in 2019. The 24-year-old will get a chance to bounce back as New York's everyday shortstop this season, and he could be a value pick in fantasy drafts if he's able to return near his numbers from two seasons ago.