MLB Player News

Polanco (arm) isn't included in the lineup for the Twins' exhibition finale Tuesday versus the Rockies.

Ehire Adrianza will step in at shortstop while Polanco tends to arm fatigue. Polanco was at least able to take at-bats as a designated hitter in a minor-league game Monday, which should be taken as a positive sign with regards to his status for Thursday's regular-season opener versus the Indians. The Twins may want to see how Polanco's arm responds to fielding and throwing drills first before clearing him to rejoin the lineup.

Kemp started in center field and went 1-for-1 with a double and two walks in Monday's game against the Pirates.

With Josh Reddick (back) unavailable, manager AJ Hinch had George Springer move to right field and Kemp took Springer's spot in center. Reddick returned to action Tuesday, so it appears Kemp is ticketed for a reserve role to begin the regular season.

Polanco is dealing with some arm fatigue, LaVelle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Specifics regarding the issue are not yet known, though Polanco is still scheduled to DH in a minor-league intrasquad game Monday, suggesting he may not be dealing with anything overly serious. More should be known after Monday's minor-league contest; It will be worth keeping an eye on the shortstop's status with Opening Day just a few days away.

Barreto is slated to occasionally fill in at second base when Jurickson Profar shifts over to first during Matt Olson's (hand) absence, Chris Haft of MLB.com reports.

Barreto logged time at second base, shortstop and designated hitter in 2018, but the keystone is where he spent the most time. Therefore, he's a natural fill-in for Profar on occasions the latter mans the corner infield spot, although manager Bob Melvin also indicated Saturday that Chad Pinder would slot in at second base periodically during Olson's projected multi-week absence.

Drury went 1-for-3 with a walk and a two-run home run in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles.

The homer was his third of the spring, bolstering a .340/.392/.638 slash line, but the more important development is that Jays manager Charlie Montoyo continues to give Drury a look in the leadoff spot. If he can hang onto that assignment, the team's Opening Day third baseman could be a bit of a steal in the late rounds of fantasy drafts this weekend.

The Tigers selected Beckham's contract and officially added him the 40-man roster Saturday.

The transaction coupled with Ronny Rodriguez's demotion to Triple-A Toledo means that Beckham will break camp with the big club as the Tigers' top utility infielder. The 32-year-old enjoyed a strong spring at the plate and showcased solid defense at both middle-infield spots, allowing him to beat out Rodriguez for the reserve job. With Josh Harrison and Jordy Mercer expected to handle everyday roles for Detroit, Beckham likely won't be asked to make more than a start or two per week, effectively keeping him off the radar for fantasy purposes.

The Tigers optioned Rodriguez to Triple-A Toledo on Saturday, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports.

With Detroit demoting Rodriguez and opening up a spot on the 40-man roster by shifting Michael Fulmer (elbow) to the 60-day injured list, Gordon Beckham has secured a utility infield role with the big club. Rodriguez has little left to prove in the minors after slashing .338/.365/.558 in 275 plate appearances in Toledo a season ago, so he should be near the top of the list for a promotion when the Tigers need an extra infielder.

Forsythe was told Friday he'd made the Rangers' Opening Day roster, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

Forsythe hasn't been officially added to the 40-man roster yet, but a transaction is presumably coming soon. The veteran will fill a bench role in the infield this season.

Kemp went 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in Thursday's game against the Tigers.

Kemp has been locked in during spring training, posting a .992 OPS with four stolen bases. He's going to start the season on the bench, but if he's making this type of impact, Kemp could get starts at designated hitter. Tyler White will open the season as the primary DH, but manager AJ Hinch said he'll rotate bodies at the position.

Drury went 1-for-4 with an RBI in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Braves.

More interestingly, the third baseman was in the leadoff spot even though Billy McKinney and Randal Grichuk were both in the Jays' lineup as well. The identity of the players likely to hit at the top of the Toronto order remains one of the biggest unsolved mysteries in the Toronto camp. If Drury can put himself in that mix despite his .314 career OBP, his fantasy value could get a boost.