MLB Player News

Rojas has been working at third base in the early days of camp, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Arizona general manager Mike Hazen said the team is still evaluating the situation at third base and could add a candidate outside the organization, so it's not a lock that Rojas becomes the everyday man at the position. The GM said if they do add someone, it was "more realistic" that it would be as the result of a trade than free agency. Rojas can play multiple positions, and the Diamondbacks understand the value of that versatility. Hazen told Steve Gilbert of MLB.com on Wednesday that Rojas, who has outfield experience, will stick mainly in the infield in 2022. If Rojas serves in an infield-utility role, the current in-house candidates for the hot corner include Drew Ellis, Josh VanMeter and Matt Davidson, who is a non-roster invitee.

Dubon is expected to compete for a bench role in spring training, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Dubon played in 74 games at the major-league level last season, posting a .240/.278/.377 slash line with five home runs and 22 RBI. He's a natural middle infielder, but he has also seen time at center field. Both Dubon and Thairo Estrada are out of options, so winning a utility role out of camp will be key for each of them remaining in the Giants' organization. It's unlikely either of them will be able to supplant more veteran players like Tommy La Stella (Achilles), Brandon Crawford or Evan Longoria for a regular role in the infield.

Marte (eye) missed a second consecutive day of workouts Tuesday, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Marte has irritation in his left eye, which isn't expected to linger too long. At this point, there's no talk of him missing Opening Day.

McNeil will be the Mets' primary second baseman this season, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Robinson Cano will be returning from a PED suspension and will factor into the picture as well, but he'll also feature at designated hitter and potentially at first base. McNeil can play the outfield corners when Cano handles the keystone, but it sounds as if manager Buck Showalter experts to write McNeil in as his second baseman most nights. Performance will of course be a factor in how frequently McNeil plays this season, as he struggled to a .251/.319/.360 line last year after posting a .319/.383/.501 line in his first three years in the league, but fantasy managers can at least draft him as if he doesn't have major playing-time concerns to start the year.

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.