MLB Player News

Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Sunday that Garcia, who finished the 2021 season on the injured list with a strained oblique, is healthy again and will focus on playing shortstop during spring training, Matt Weyrich of NBC Sports Washington reports.

Martinez added that Garcia will continue to get reps at second base as well, but the skipper noted that the 21-year-old slimmed down this offseason with the aim of improving his agility and being better equipped to handle shortstop. Even if Garcia isn't able to show enough defensive polish to stick at shortstop throughout the season, he should have a consistent role at one of the everyday spots, as the Nationals can always shift Cesar Hernandez over to third base to open up the keystone for Garcia if needed. While Garcia's production over his first two seasons with Washington hasn't been particularly fantasy-friendly, the fact that he's already accrued 386 plate appearances in the majors at an age when most his contemporaries are in the lower levels of the minors bodes well for his long-term outlook.

Marte didn't participate in Monday's team workout after experiencing left eye irritation, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Marte labeled the eye issue as a minor concern and said he expects to be back on the field Tuesday. The 28-year-old switch-hitter is expected to make a full-time move to second base during the upcoming season, after he primarily played center field in 2021.

Manager David Bell confirmed Monday that India will remain the Reds' leadoff hitter for the 2022 season, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The appointment atop the lineup comes as little surprise after India made all of his starts out of that position in the batting order from June 5 on last season, en route to slashing .269/.376/.459 with 21 home runs, 98 runs, 69 RBI and 12 stolen bases. After dealing away No. 2 starter Sonny Gray to the Twins over the weekend, the Reds could look to embrace a rebuild and deal away more veteran pieces, but the reigning National League Rookie of the Year won't be going anywhere.

Manager Joe Girardi said Sunday that Stott will compete with Didi Gregorius for the starting job at shortstop during spring training, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Stott isn't on the 40-man roster but received an invite to big-league camp, and he'll apparently have a chance to secure a starting job outright. Gregorius is under contract for $14.5 million and should be the favorite to start, but the veteran is coming off a poor season in 2021. The Phillies seem likely to bring up Stott for his major-league debut later in the season, though there's a small chance he unseats Gregorius and opens 2022 as the starter.

Stott was invited to the Phillies' big-league camp Saturday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Stott looks like the shortstop of the future in Philadelphia, as he's coming off a year in which he hit .299/.390/.486 across the three highest levels of the minors before posting a .318/.445/.489 line in the Arizona Fall League. He may not get full consideration to break camp with the team, which could use the fact that he's only played 10 Triple-A games to justify keeping him in the minors long enough to delay his free agency by a year, but he's likely to spend a substantial portion of the season in the majors. He may not be as exciting of a fantasy option as you'd expect given his prospect pedigree, however, as his appeal is based more on the fact that he's roughly average at all facets of his game rather than any one standout tool.

Marte is expected to open the season as Arizona's starting second baseman, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

The wear and tear of playing center field has finally prompted the Diamondbacks to move Marte back to second base, where his career began. That move leaves a gaping hole in the outfield, which could be filled by Daulton Varsho.

Rojas is one of several players that could start at third base in 2022, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Arizona general manager Mike Hazen talked about the possibility of adding a third baseman, particularly one with years of control, back in November, but the lockout-impacted offseason prevented the Diamondbacks from signing or trading for one. The in-house candidates start with Rojas, who enters camp with no restrictions following a November procedure to clean up the AC joint in his left shoudler, per Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. However, the team likes his versatility, which includes experience at all infield positions and corner outfield. Josh VanMeter and Drew Ellis are also in the mix. Shortstop prospect Geraldo Perdomo would have an outside shot at the job, as Nick Ahmed is expected to open at short this season.

Hoerner got added competition for playing time at shortstop in 2022 when the Cubs added Andrelton Simmons on Friday, per Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

Hoerner appeared in 44 games for the Cubs in 2021, slashing a solid .302/.382/.369. Simmons, meanwhile, posted a .223/.283/.274 line with Minnesota. The latter is known for his defensive abilities, but the 24-year-old Hoerner has a definite path to playing time if he can outproduce the veteran at the plate by a significant margin.

Gorman (hamstring) has been a full participant during the Cardinals' minor-league camp and is expected to open the season at Triple-A Memphis, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Gorman missed time during the Arizona Fall League on account of a hamstring injury, denying him an opportunity to build on a promising 2021 campaign split included stops at both Double-A Springfield and Memphis. Between the two affiliates, Gorman hit .279 while demonstrating solid power (25 home runs, 20 doubles), but how soon he arrives in the majors may hinge on him developing into a passable option in the field. A natural third baseman, Gorman transitioned primarily to second base in 2021 as a consequence of the Cardinals signing Nolan Arenado last winter. The keystone remains Gorman's most viable path to a spot on the big-league roster, even though he projects as nothing more than an average defender at the position.

Mathias (shoulder) received medical clearance for all baseball-related workouts in late November and has been a full participant thus far during minor-league spring training, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Heading into 2021, the versatile Mathias was viewed as a candidate for an Opening Day utility role with the Brewers, but those plans were foiled when he injured his throwing shoulder in spring training. He ultimately underwent season-ending surgery May 5 and was outrighted off Milwaukee's 40-man roster in November, but now that he's healthy again, he should get the chance to compete for a job when big-league camp begins once the lockout concludes. The 27-year-old received his first taste of the majors in 2020, when he slashed .278/.278/.361 with four RBI and a stolen base across 36 plate appearances.