MLB Player News

Padres infielder Logan Forsythe (plantar fasciitis) played in a Double-A minor-league game Sunday. He went 3 for 4 with a home run and two singles. Forsythe played three innings at third base in the contest.

Nationals second baseman Danny Espinona is doing his best this spring to make me believe his torn rotator cuff won't be a problem. Through 21 spring games, Espinosa is batting .317 (19 for 60) with three doubles and five RBI. He's also hitting .297 (11 for 37) against right-handed pitchers, which has been a problem for him in the past.

Yet, I'm still skeptical Espinosa will last over the long season. He said he feels stronger now than he has in the past and his numbers are proving it. But I still worried he might wear down as the season progresses. If Espinosa dealt with this injury over an entire season in the past, then we would have a better idea of how he might deal with the injury. But the fact we don't have that history concerns me.

Espinosa continues to be a late-round Fantasy option despite a productive spring.

Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus doubled and homered against the Reds Saturday to extend his spring hitting streak to 13 games and boost his average to .415. The home run was the second in 45 plate appearances for Andrus, who only hit three home runs in 711 plate appearances last year.

The Royals optioned infielder Johnny Giavotella to Triple-A Omaha on Saturday, reports MLB.com.

Giavotella, who was hitting .267 on the spring with a homer, 11 RBI and eight strikeouts, was battling for the second base job but appears he's lost out to Chris Getz.

The Texas Rangers further pared down their roster Saturday, moving pitchers Ben Rowen and Lisalverto Bonilla and outfielder Yangervis Solarte to their minor-league camp. Texas also released catcher Konrad Schmidt after he failed to land a backup position.

The Padres could be without outfielder Carlos Quentin and infielder Logan Forsythe when the season begins, as both continue to recover from injuries, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported. Quentin is attempting to come back from knee surgery, while Forsythe has been out of action since March 7 due to plantar fasciitis in his right foot.

"We’re looking for those guys to be in a good spot physically and to be ready April 1. There is not a make or break day, but there’s no doubt we have to see something," manager Bud Black said.

When asked if either player would begin the season on the disabled list, Black was noncommittal. "Let’s hope not. Possibly," he said. "We're not to that point yet. We’ll do what is best for the player and the organization.”

Forsythe has been limited to drill work in recent days, while Quentin has appeared mostly in minor-league games, playing the field just once. The Padres open the season April 1 in New York. 

Astros manager Bo Porter announced Wednesday that second baseman Jose Altuve will be the team's leadoff hitter. Porter said he chose Altuve as the every-day leadoff hitter after no one else took the "bull by the horns."

Porter added that Altuve is the only position player locked into a spot in the lineup. All other spots in the batting order will likely change.

CBSSports.com Senior Columnist Scott Miller reports Padres infielder Logan Forsythe is expected to get most of the playing time at third base with Chase Headley expected to miss the first month of the season with a thumb injury. However, this is all hinging on Forsythe recovering from his plantar fasciitis injury in time for the start of the season.

Prospect Jedd Gyorko will continue to see most of his playing time at second base. However, if Alexi Amarista continues to swing a hot bat, then there could be times Gyorko shifts to third base in order to get Amarista in the lineup at second base.

With Chase Headley expected to miss up to a month due to a fractured thumb, Logan Forsythe could be the opening day third baseman for the Padres. Jedd Gyorko, who has played mostly second base this spring, could also play the hot corner in Headley's absence.

"There's a lot of options," manager Bud Black told MLB.com.

Forsythe, who batted .273 with six homers and 26 RBI in 315 at-bats last season, hasn't played since March 7 because of plantar fasciitis in his right foot but is expected to return to Cactus League action soon.

CBSSports.com baseball insider Jon Heyman reports the Rangers will "make one more run" at signing shortstop Elvis Andrus to a multiyear deal, but if a deal can't be reached, the team will likely trade him in "10 to 12 months."

The Rangers rejected all trade offers for Andrus this offseason, but a deal would open up shortstop for elite prospect Jurickson Profar, who may begin this season in the minors due to the Rangers' lack of a regular starting role for him. It remains possible Profar could break camp with the team as a utility player.