MLB Player News

Drury is a candidate for one of two final bench spots to start the season, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Drury is battling Rickie Weeks, Peter O'Brien, Socrates Brito and Jason Bourgeois for the spots. The 23-year-old infielder has helped himself this spring with a .368 batting average, four home runs and 12 RBI. Drury has also seen some time in the outfield, and his position flexibility gives him added appeal. The 25-man roster needs to be set by 9 a.m. Sunday.

Elmore pinch hit in Tuesday's game and ultimately went 0-for-1 against Cincinnati.

The 28-year-old second baseman has struggled throughout most of this year's spring training and is batting just .240 in his 30 plate appearances. Elmore is unlikely to see much time at the big-league level this coming season, as he's currently behind Scooter Gennett, Colin Walsh, Aaron Hill and Yadiel Rivera on the depth chart.

Hernandez has gone 1-for-7 in two games since returning from and oblique injury Monday.

The utility player's spring numbers remain horrid (.149/.212/.277), but it's good to see him back in action after missing several days with the oblique injury. He seems to be a cinch to make the Opening Day roster thanks to his defensive versatility, although it's possible Hernandez could be optioned to Triple-A when Howie Kendrick returns from a calf injury, as it may be tough to get him regular playing time. His opportunities may not match his skill level in the early going, but the fact that he can play up the middle in both the infield and the outfield should allow for him to find his way to consistent at-bats if one of the Dodgers' regulars is struggling.

The Phillies sent Nina to minor league camp Monday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Nina was 5-for-12 in 12 games this spring. He will give the Phillies some infield depth in the minors this season.

Tomlinson started at third base Sunday and collected two hits, a run, an RBI and a stolen base in a win over the White Sox.

Tomlinson has been seeing starts at second base, shortstop and third base this spring in order to get ready to be the primary backup at all three of those positions. He won't have mixed league value as an infield backup, but his speed makes him an intriguing option should any of the starters go down to injury.

The Phillies optioned Sweeney to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Monday.

Sweeney had a shot to make the club given his ability to play both the infield and outfield, but his .558 spring OPS prevented him from making the cut. He should garner consideration for a promotion at some point this season, however.

Hernandez (oblique) is expected to play in Monday's spring training game, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports.

Hernandez had been dealing with some pain in his side, but was recently cleared for full-go workouts. With the status of infielders Corey Seager (knee) and Howie Kendrick (calf) uncertain for Opening Day, Hernandez appears poised to see a short-term boost in playing time over the season's opening weeks.

Espinosa made two spectacular plays at shortstop Saturday, turning a groundball deep in the hole into a Jeter-esque jump-throw to retire Tommy Pham in the second inning and then knocking down a Ruben Tejada line drive up the middle and recovering in time to gun him down at first in the fourth inning.

Espinosa continues to struggle at the plate, hitting just .111 (3-for-27) on the spring, but his defensive chops will ensure that he gets the nod at shortstop for the Nationals on Opening Day. His hold on the job may not last long, however, especially if Trea Turner gets off to a hot start at Triple-A Syracuse.

Manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that Hernandez is dealing with pain in his side but will return to action soon, MLB.com's Ken Gurnick reports.

Hernandez was struck by a pitch in last Sunday's Cactus League game and is apparently still battling some residual soreness. The utility man currently shapes up as the top starting option at shortstop if Corey Seager (knee) isn't ready to play by Opening Day, so the Dodgers will continue to exercise caution by holding Hernandez out a few more days.

Solarte feels he'll be able to improve at the plate and in the field this season being able to concentrate on just one position, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. "... the in-depth learning of the intricacies of the position have been difficult for a guy who's been all over the place (on the field). Now, he's locked in," manager Andy Green told the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Solarte is hitting .261 (12-for-46) with just one double and two walks this spring, but is set as San Diego's starting third baseman.