MLB Player News

Arraez started at second base and batted leadoff in his first appearance of spring training in Saturday's win over Pittsburgh, going 1-for-3. He is a candidate to lead off this season, manager Rocco Baldelli told the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

It's not clear if the Twins will move Max Kepler out of the leadoff spot after he had a breakout season in the role last year, but Arraez's skillset in making contact and getting on base, along with Kepler's power perhaps being utilized later in the order, could make sense. It's possible the Twins may mix and match their leadoff hitters as well. Either way, Arraez is set to start at second base with the departure of Jonathan Schoop via free agency.

Arroyo (elbow) is in the Indians' lineup for Sunday's spring opener against the Royals.

Arroyo had been sidelined since last June with an elbow injury, but he'll be ready to return to action for the first game of spring training. The 24-year-old was traded to Cleveland in July and could compete for a major-league depth role to begin the season.

Chavis (oblique) is in the lineup for Saturday's spring opener, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Chavis ended last season battling an oblique injury and did not play winter ball as a result. However, he has put the injury behind him and will take the field in Boston's first exhibition game. Chavis will man first base and hit cleanup in Saturday's batting order.

Rengifo is "noticeably bigger" than last year, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Per Ardaya, Rengifo went deep four consecutive times during batting practice Thursday. The added muscle may come in handy as Rengifo seeks to earn a starting spot at second base this spring. The second baseman hit only 12 home runs in 467 combined at-bats between the majors and minors last season.

Barreto has his best opportunity to nab a major-league roster spot this spring with prior second-base occupants elsewhere, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports. "He has an opportunity where, if he has the type of spring that he has had before, it's going to be tough not to have him be part of that dynamic, whether it's a left-right dynamic or an everyday role," said manager Bob Melvin. "There's not one particular guy in front of him right now. This is his best shot."

Barreto has scuffled during his three prior major-league stints, as his career .189/.220/.378 line across 69 plate appearances illustrates. However, the departures of Jed Lowrie and Jurickson Profar over the last two offseasons offer Barreto the least veteran resistance to a roster spot he's encountered yet, and the fact he's now out of minor-league options could certainly work in his favor if he puts together a strong spring. The 23-year-old has proven capable of making a favorable impression during the exhibition slate in the past, but he will have to hold his own against fellow capable prospects Jorge Mateo, Sheldon Neuse and Vimael Machin to lock in an Opening Day roster spot this time around.

Polanco (ankle) ran near 100 percent Saturday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Polanco is still awaiting clearance before fully going 100 percent, but he appears to be in the final stages of his recovery from the right ankle surgery he underwent in November. The 26-year-old seems likely to be able to be ready for Opening Day if cleared relatively soon, though it's worth keeping an eye on his status as spring training progresses.

Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said Sunday that he envisions Biggio serving as the team's No. 2 hitter this season, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

The lefty-hitting Biggio could eventually move down in the order against southpaws, but he'll likely be given a full-time look out of the two hole -- in between Bo Bichette and Vlad Guerrero Jr. -- at least to begin the season after he slashed a credible .237/.368/.373 (104 wRC+) in 145 plate appearances versus same-handed pitching in 2019. Biggio supplied 16 home runs and 14 steals in just 100 games with Toronto as a rookie and could push for a 20-20 season if he gets 600 plate appearances in 2020.

Lowe said Saturday that he feels fully healthy entering spring training after he missed much of the second half of the 2019 season while battling a quadriceps injury, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

The Rays initially ruled Lowe out for the season in late August after he strained his left quad while rehabbing a bone bruise in his right shin, but the 25-year-old was surprisingly able to make it back in action in the final week of the campaign to earn his spot on the postseason roster. Lowe wasn't especially productive following his return from the lengthy layoff, but after he resumed rehabbing the quad over the winter, he feels confident he'll be able to regain the strong form he displayed early last season. Lowe slashed .270/.336/.514 with 17 home runs and five steals across 327 plate appearances en route to earning an All-Star nod in 2019, but his 34.6 percent strikeout rate suggests some regression could be headed his way even if health prevails.

Chavis (oblique) will split time between first and second base this season, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Red Sox interim manager Ron Roenicke clarified Chavis' role for the upcoming season. "When he's swinging the bat well, he's going to get more playing time whether it's at first or second," Roenicke said. "But he's going to be out there. When he's performing the way he can, like when he first came up last year and was so hot, you want him in the lineup." Chavis did not hit well against lefties in 2019 (.226 batting average) and needs to lay off high fastballs. Roenicke acknowledged Chavis' need to lay off high heat but believes his performance against lefties was the product of a limited sample size.

Polanco (ankle) was in the batting cage Wednesday and did not appear to have any limitations, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Polanco underwent surgery Nov. 22 to address a right ankle impingement. It's thought he'll be ready for Opening Day, but monitor his progress early in spring training.