MLB Player News

Semien will be credited with a full year of service time even if the 2020 season is canceled outright, keeping him on track to become a free agent next offseason, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Semien's impending free-agent status, along with that of teammates such as Liam Hendriks, Mike Fiers and Yusmeiro Petit, was secured as part of a multi-faceted agreement reached last Thursday between MLB and the MLBPA. There's still a stronger likelihood the 2020 regular season is played in some form as opposed to being canceled outright, but this provision gives Semien some peace of mind. If there's ultimately no 2020 campaign, the veteran shortstop will potentially head into the open market on the strength of a career-best 2019 season that saw him slash .285/.369/.522 with 83 extra-base hits (43 doubles, seven triples, 33 home runs) and 92 RBI across 747 plate appearances while appearing in all 162 games.

Kemp, who hit .345 (10-for-29) over 10 Cactus League games before spring training was suspended, appears to have secured a platoon role at second base alongside Franklin Barreto to open the 2020 season, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Kemp entered camp with good odds of securing that exact role, and his performance in Cactus League action served to definitively strengthen his job prospects. The 28-year-old forged a versatile stat line during exhibition play, recording a double, a home run, two RBI, four walks, a stolen base and seven runs. The left-handed hitting Kemp is slated to see time versus right-handed pitching, against which he slugged seven of his eight home runs last season and 13 of his 14 overall in the last three campaigns.

The Red Sox may have the roster flexibility to carry Arauz, a Rule 5 draft pick, if MLB expands rosters from 26 to 29 players for the first month of an abbreviated season, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

As a Rule 5 pick, Arauz must remain on Boston's active roster all season (barring an IL stint) or be offered back to the Astros. Under normal circumstances, it's unclear that Arauz would claim one of the 26 spots to start the regular season. But a shortened season -- where teams can carry 29 players for the first month and expanded 28-man rosters for the final month -- makes it easier for the Red Sox to keep the 21-year-old Arauz. His glove is major-league ready, but Arauz still needs to develop as a hitter.

Estrada could be called back up to Yankees if MLB decides to expand rosters early in the season, Brendan Kuty of NJ Advance Media reports.

The Yankees optioned Estrada to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday after he slashed a meager .200/.226/.233 in Grapefruit League action. While Tyler Wade appears to be the team's primary choice for a utility role, Estrada could be brought up as a second utility player and pinch-running option should the league expand rosters when the season commences, as is widely expected.

Barreto is likely to open the regular season platooning with Tony Kemp at second base, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Barreto helped solidify his grip on an Opening Day roster spot before spring training was suspended by hitting .306 (11-for-36) with four doubles, two triples, four RBI, three walks, a stolen base and six runs across 13 Cactus League games. The 24-year-old has struggled considerably at the plate in three previous big-league stints, so his success offensively this spring is certainly an encouraging sight. It remains to be seen how playing time between the lefty-hitting Kemp and Barreto might be split to start the season, but it's worth noting the latter enjoyed success against either handedness of pitcher (.282 vs. righties, .330 vs. southpaws) at Triple-A Las Vegas in 2019.

Estrada was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wikes-Barre on Thursday.

Estrada was competing for a super-utility role with the team, capable of playing second base, third base and shortstop as well as the outfield. However, it appears likely he'll begin the season in the minor leagues, where he should earn every day at-bats. Estrada did have a short stint with the Yankees to conclude 2019, recording a .250/.294/.438 line across 69 plate appearances.

Mayfield was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Mayfield struggled in his big-league debut in 2019, hitting .156 with a 24.6 percent strikeout rate in 65 plate appearances. With Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa and Aledmys Diaz all ahead of him on the depth chart, Mayfield doesn't project to play a significant role for Houston in 2020.

Espinal was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Espinal has played in only 28 games at the Triple-A level, so it's no surprise to see him head back there to open the season despite his strong showing in Grapefruit League play before spring training was suspended. While the 25-year-old is set to begin the year with Buffalo, he could make his big-league debut at some point in 2020 if his success in the upper minors continues.

Bannon hit .333/.467/.667 with one home run, one double, six strikeouts and three walks in 15 plate appearances in big-league camp.

The sample is tiny, and he struck out at a 40 percent clip, but he did damage when he wasn't striking out. More telling is Bannon's .200/.258/.247 slash line with one home run and 18 strikeouts in 93 plate appearances in the Arizona Fall League, where he primarily played third base. Bannon, who turns 24 in a month, will likely open the year at Triple-A, where he played 20 games to close the 2019 season.

Rengifo is expected to begin the campaign with Triple-A Salt Lake, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Rengifo entered spring training with a chance to earn a roster spot as a backup infielder, but he struggled in Cactus League play, hitting .240 with only one extra-base hit (a double) in 25 at-bats. Per Bollinger, Rengifo is unlikely to break camp with the Angels; instead, he'll gain more seasoning with an everyday role at the Triple-A level.