MLB Player News

Hernandez is back in camp Friday after recovering from an illness, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Hernandez has been out since Wednesday, one of many Dodgers who have been sidelined due to illness in the last few days. He should be unaffected by the start of the regular season, as he'll have plenty of time to get up to speed before Opening Day.

Hernandez, along with seven other Dodgers, is not traveling with the team due to an illness, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

There is a nasty cold spreading through Dodgers camp this week, and Hernandez is among those who are out sick. Joc Pederson will man center field while Tim Locastro occupies the keystone during Wednesday's exhibition. Consider Hernandez day-to-day.

Forsythe was taken off the the team's travel roster Wednesday due to an illness, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Forsythe joined the lengthy list of Dodgers who have been effected by a virus that is going around through the camp. Tim Locastro will get the nod at the keystone against the Padres in his stead.

Frazier will likely open the season as a bench player following the acquisition of Corey Dickerson, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

There was some speculation that the 26-year-old would get some time as the everyday left fielder following the trade of Andrew McCutchen, but that plan is likely void now that Corey Dickerson is in town. Frazier's roster spot isn't really in jeopardy given his expansive positional versatility and .276 batting average in 406 at-bats last season, but his fantasy stock takes a hit now that he doesn't have a path to regular playing time.

Frazier's path to playing time in left field potentially became less clear following acquisitions of both Bryce Brentz and Michael Saunders.

The team appears to be holding open tryouts for left field, with Sean Rodriguez, Jordan Luplow and Daniel Nava also included in the mix. There's also the chance that Pittsburgh still might move veteran Josh Harrison, which could open up playing time for Frazier at second base. As a result, fantasy owners will have to wait to see how things play out in March and beyond.

Manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that the Dodgers "expect Logan (Forsythe) to get the lion's share of the at-bats," following the team's re-signing of veteran second baseman Chase Utley, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Forsythe had a disappointing first season with the Dodgers in 2017, posting a .224/.351/.327 slash line with six home runs in 439 plate appearances. Utley is likely to serve as a matchup-dependent starter and bench option, and Forsythe will need to improve upon his paltry .190/.315/.262 slash line against right-handed pitching from last season if he is going to remain atop the depth chart at second base in 2018, although the 31-year-old's ability and versatility in the field may garner him some additional time to turn things around should he have a slow start to the season.

Albies is expected to bat second for the Braves this season, David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Manager Brian Snitker confirmed that he's planning to keep the switch-hitting Albies in the two hole, between Ender Inciarte and Freddie Freeman, after Albies' stellar debut with the big club last season. At this time a year ago, Albies was limited in camp due to an elbow injury he suffered in September of 2016, but he doesn't have any lingering questions about his health entering the 2018 campaign. Albies will take some groundballs at shortstop this spring, but there are no plans to switch him back to his old position. Snitker suggested he just wants to keep his options open in case there is a need at short at some point.

Marte is in the mix for a starting role in the middle infield, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

The 24-year-old emerged as a decent offensive option last season, batting .260 in 73 games with the big-league club. His speed also gives him an edge as he works toward garnering the starting shortstop job for Opening Day. Nick Ahmed (wrist), Brandon Drury and Chris Owings (finger) are also in the mix for playing time up the middle, but Marte likely has a higher ceiling given his combination of youth, speed and on-base skills.

Drury will have to compete for innings at second base this spring, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Drury spent much of last season as Arizona's primary second baseman, but he faded down the stretch and settled into a part-time role by the season's end. Pair that with the offensive emergence of Ketel Marte and the defensive prowess of Nick Ahmed (wrist), and Drury is no lock to crack the Opening Day lineup. Chris Owings (finger) is also in the mix for playing time up the middle. The 24-year-old does have 100 extra-base hits to his name over the past two seasons, but his on-base numbers are lacking.

Frazier is likely to see plenty of action in left field while batting leadoff in 2018, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

The 26-year-old could move back to second base if the team trades Josh Harrison, but for now it looks like he'll rotate with Sean Rodriguez and Daniel Nava in left field. A career .300 hitter in the minor leagues, the lefty has batted for a higher average against southpaws (.338 in 89 plate appearances) than righties (.265 in 502 PA), a trend which has carried over from the minors. The natural infielder, who saw time at six different positions in 2017, may finally get a chance to settle in at one position (left field). As a result, Frazier could provide fantasy contributions in both batting average and runs scored.