MLB Player News

Hernandez has made an effort to improve his approach against right-handed pitching this spring, Pedro Moura of The Athletic reports.

Known for hitting lefties well (.270/.364/.518 career slash line against southpaws), Hernandez has showed a significant improvement against righties this spring, smacking all four of his exhibition home runs off right-handed pitchers. While he'll still be considered a regular against lefties this season, the super-utility man's improved approach against same-handed hurlers could result in more than a platoon role at the keystone if Chase Utley struggles out of the gate while the infielders combine to fill in for Justin Turner (wrist).

Marte was deployed as the starting second baseman and No. 6 hitter in Tuesday's 6-5 exhibition loss to the Angels in what could be a preview of the Diamondbacks' Opening Day lineup, Owen Perkins of MLB.com reports.

Following his promotion to the big leagues in late June, Marte secured a starting gig and ran with it, finishing the 2017 campaign with a strong .260/.345/.395 line across 255 plate appearances. While Marte wasn't as aggressive on the bases as he had been in the past, stealing just three bags in four attempts, he showed more power than expected, racking up 17 extra-base hits in less than a half season of work. Don't expect Marte to see his involvement pick up dramatically in the run game based on his projected spot in the bottom half of the order, but his full-time role should make him a serviceable source of counting stats from the middle infield.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Monday that Hernandez could be used on the short side of a platoon at second base with Chase Utley to begin the season with Justin Turner (wrist) set to miss multiple weeks, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Turner's absence due to the fractured wrist creates an opening at third base that will primarily be filled by Logan Forsythe, which clears up the keystone for the lefty-hitting Utley and the righty-hitting Hernandez. The news doesn't really change Hernandez's outlook much, as the Dodgers have always made a concerted effort to give the 26-year-old starts against southpaws while deploying him at a number of positions. Hernandez's stellar .270/.364/.518 career line against lefties makes him an appealing DFS play nearly every time he's in the lineup for those matchups.

The Mets optioned Guillorme to their minor-league camp Tuesday.

A glove-first prospect, Guillorme doesn't offer much appeal in dynasty formats due to his lack of power and impact on the basepaths. He's expected to open the campaign at Double-A Binghamton or Triple-A Las Vegas.

Rodgers was re-assigned to minor-league camp Tuesday, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Rodgers had a strong showing this spring, hitting .286/.352/.490 in 23 games. He was never a real candidate to break camp with Colorado, though, as he's played just 38 games at the Double-A level. He hit an unremarkable .260/.323/.413 for Hartford last season and will likely return there to start the 2018 campaign.

The Pirates optioned Bostick to Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday.

Bostick was vying for a spot on the Pirates' Opening Day roster as a reserve infielder, but never gained much momentum with those efforts after going 6-for-35 (.171 average) at the dish during Grapefruit League action. The 24-year-old should handle a full-time role at Indianapolis to begin the season and could earn another look with the big club later on in 2018 when injuries hit the infield. His lack of standout tools makes him a rather uninteresting prospect.

Following the loss of Justin Turner during Monday's game against the A's, manager Dave Roberts stated that Forsythe might play third base while Turner is out, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Although this isn't set in stone, it's something to keep an eye on as Opening Day approaches. If Forsythe does transition to third until Turner's return, look for Chase Utley, Kike Hernandez and Austin Barnes to share starts at second.

Albies went 2-for-3 with two solo home runs in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates.

While all eyes have understandably been on Ronald Acuna this spring, Albies has been no slouch in camp either. He homered from both sides of the plate Friday, taking Jameson Taillon deep to right field in the fourth inning and then yanking a Josh Smoker offering down the left-field line in the eighth. Albies showed surprising power last season, hitting 15 combined homers between Triple-A Gwinnett and Atlanta after popping only seven total in his first three seasons in the minors, and if he continues displaying it in his first full big-league campaign, he could begin to draw Jose Altuve comparisons for reasons beyond his short stature.

Alvarez was designated for assignment Friday, Meghan Montemurro of The Athletic Philadelphia reports.

Alvarez was removed from the 40-man roster after the Phillies selected the contract of Pedro Florimon. The 23-year-old Alvarez reached the Double-A level last year, hitting an unspectacular .247/.321/.382 in 209 plate appearances.

Rosario went 2-for-4 with a double and a solo home run in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals.

His fourth-inning two-bagger was the only hit the Mets scrounged up against a dominant Max Scherzer, while Rosario's deep shot to left field in the eighth was his first homer of the spring. Injuries have cost the 22-year-old some time this spring, but he appears to be rounding into form well ahead of Opening Day.