MLB Player News

Urias will begin the 2019 season at Triple-A El Paso, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

The Padres are electing to have top prospect Fernando Tatis open the season in the majors, making Urias the odd man out. The team has been weighing its options heavily all spring, but until this point Tatis was still expected to start in the minors before likely being promoted midseason. Unfortunately for Urias, the offseason acquisitions of Manny Machado and Ian Kinsler leave no additional room in the infield. Urias remains one of the Padres' top prospects, but the team likely doesn't want him in the majors if he isn't going to see the bulk of the playing time.

Polanco (arm) served as the designated hitter in a minor-league game Tuesday, LaVelle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Polanco has been battling arm fatigue, but he's been able to take at-bats in minor-league games each of the past two days. The shortstop also took part in some fielding drills Tuesday, which bodes well for his status for Thursday's season opener against the Indians. That said, the Twins will reevaluate Polanco on Thursday before determining his availability for the start of the season.

General manager Mike Hazen said Tuesday that Marte would see the bulk of the starts in center field for the Diamondbacks to begin the season, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Marte had already been in line for at least a near-everyday role to begin the campaign, but his playing-time outlook was further strengthened by fellow outfielder Steven Souza going down with a serious-looking left knee injury in Monday's exhibition game against the White Sox. The Diamondbacks haven't provided a timeline for Souza's return, but he'll almost certainly open the campaign on the injured list, thereby creating an opening in the outfield. Adam Jones had previously been the top threat to poach starts from Marte in center field, but Jones will now have a clear path to regular action in right while Souza is on the IL.

Polanco (arm) isn't included in the lineup for the Twins' exhibition finale Tuesday versus the Rockies.

Ehire Adrianza will step in at shortstop while Polanco tends to arm fatigue. Polanco was at least able to take at-bats as a designated hitter in a minor-league game Monday, which should be taken as a positive sign with regards to his status for Thursday's regular-season opener versus the Indians. The Twins may want to see how Polanco's arm responds to fielding and throwing drills first before clearing him to rejoin the lineup.

Kemp started in center field and went 1-for-1 with a double and two walks in Monday's game against the Pirates.

With Josh Reddick (back) unavailable, manager AJ Hinch had George Springer move to right field and Kemp took Springer's spot in center. Reddick returned to action Tuesday, so it appears Kemp is ticketed for a reserve role to begin the regular season.

Polanco is dealing with some arm fatigue, LaVelle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Specifics regarding the issue are not yet known, though Polanco is still scheduled to DH in a minor-league intrasquad game Monday, suggesting he may not be dealing with anything overly serious. More should be known after Monday's minor-league contest; It will be worth keeping an eye on the shortstop's status with Opening Day just a few days away.

Barreto is slated to occasionally fill in at second base when Jurickson Profar shifts over to first during Matt Olson's (hand) absence, Chris Haft of MLB.com reports.

Barreto logged time at second base, shortstop and designated hitter in 2018, but the keystone is where he spent the most time. Therefore, he's a natural fill-in for Profar on occasions the latter mans the corner infield spot, although manager Bob Melvin also indicated Saturday that Chad Pinder would slot in at second base periodically during Olson's projected multi-week absence.

Adames was reassigned to minor-league camp Saturday, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Adames was in contention for an Opening Day roster spot with Daniel Descalso battling a shoulder injury but will instead make his way to minor-league camp. The 27-year-old joined the Cubs on a minor-league deal in February after slashing .269/.324/.370 at Triple-A in 2018.

The Giants informed Solarte on Friday that he won a spot on the team's Opening Day roster, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Solarte is likely earmarked for a utility role after he received time at all four infield spots with the Blue Jays in 2018 and saw action at left field during spring training. The 31-year-old switch-hitter has slugged double-digit home runs in each of his five seasons in the majors, but he received more than 400 plate appearances in each of those years. He could struggle to see that level of playing time in 2019 and will be further hurt by the Giants' home park, one of the more pitcher-friendly environments in baseball.

Hernandez is expected to be the Dodgers' starting second baseman, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Hernandez is tremendously versatile, having started everywhere except pitcher and catcher last season. That utility role got him 462 plate appearances last season, but he could be in line for even more this year after hitting .256/.336/.470 with 21 homers in 2018. Chris Taylor will start less frequently at second base but will still get starts around the diamond, particularly in left field.