MLB Player News

Escobar started at shortstop and went 2-for-3 in Wednesday's loss to Houston. He's hitting .306 (11-for-36) this spring.

Despite his strong showing at the plate this spring, he looks set to begin the season in a utility role as there's been little talk that he'll overtake Jorge Polanco for the starting shortstop role. However, Escobar could move into the starting lineup at shortstop if Polanco falters or at third base if Miguel Sano struggles with his glove and becomes the DH.

Donaldson (calf) will play third base for the first time this spring in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against Detroit, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet reports.

The sight of the back-to-back Silver Slugger Award winner on the field will allow owners to finally exhale. Donaldson has been under a cloud of uncertainty since being diagnosed with a strained right calf in mid-February, but the slugger's recovery went without a hiccup. Regardless, it'd be irresponsible to deem Donaldson fully in the clear until he logs some innings without any interruptions.

Moncada was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday.

Chicago's top prospect hit .317 with a 1.074 OPS and three home runs in 41 at-bats this spring in big league camp. The rebuilding White Sox will let Moncada get his first taste of Triple-A pitching at the outset of the season, and considering they can gain an extra year of control by holding him down until May 13, it seems unlikely that we will see him back with the big league club until mid-May at the earliest.

Duffy (heel) is expected to visit the doctor who performed his surgery Wednesday to see if he needs to try a different rehab program, the Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin reports.

He has not made much progress with strengthening his surgically repaired heel, and remains without a target date for returning to game action. Manager Kevin Cash said some of Duffy's issues may not be related to the surgery, which could be a good thing, and the Rays are hopeful that a timetable clears up in the next couple of days. Tim Beckham figures to open the season as the starting shortstop until Duffy returns to full health.

Donaldson declared himself to be over his calf injury after returning for his spring debut Monday against Minnesota, the Toronto Star reports.

With the late start to his Grapefruit League slate, Donaldson figures to see plenty of work during the two remaining weeks of spring training. After an off-day Tuesday, it's expected that Donaldson will resume his regular role at third base Wednesday.

Segura is expected back in Mariners camp from the World Baseball Classic on Tuesday, Doug Miller of MLB.com reports.

Segura enjoyed an excellent WBC for Team Dominican Republic, hitting .364 (4-for-11) with two doubles, three RBI and a stolen base. Considering he received considerably fewer tournament at-bats than teammates Nelson Cruz and Robinson Cano, manager Scott Servais is considering inserting Segura right back into spring action as soon as Tuesday night's Cactus League matchup against the A's.

Ramirez may begin the season as the Tribe's second baseman, then move back to third once Jason Kipnis (shoulder) returns, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Kipnis is projected to miss at least the first couple weeks of the regular season, but the current timetable remains a bit cloudy. Ramirez owners won't complain if Kipnis needs an extra week or two. The Tribe have 25 games in April, and Ramirez could earn eligibility at second base -- increasing his value -- if he spends most of the season's opening month playing there.

Longoria (neck) will play third base and bat third in the lineup in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Manager Kevin Cash said that Longoria was feeling better after fighting a stiff neck Sunday, so the veteran will return to the lineup after just a one-game absence. After slugging a career-high 36 homers last season, the 31-year-old showed that he's still capable of offering elite production. Considering that he's appeared in at least 160 games four straight times, Longoria's durability no longer seems to be a concern either.

Donaldson (calf) will serve as the Blue Jays' DH and bat third in the order in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins, John Lott of The Athletic Toronto reports.

Donaldson has been sidelined for much of the spring with a strained right calf, but he'll be able to make his long-awaited debut after he was able to steadily increase his activities over the last couple of weeks. Though he'll initially serve as the team's DH, he's expected to return to the field Wednesday. With his health seemingly on solid ground, fantasy owners can probably feel comfortable investing an early-round selection in Donaldson, who has supplied 78 homers over his first two seasons with the Blue Jays.

Moncada went 3-for-5 with a home run, two doubles and four RBI in Sunday's game against the Angels.

Nobody in the White Sox camp is hotter than Moncada, who is 10-for-22 with three homers, four doubles and 11 RBI in his last seven games. That run has turned around what had been a cool start to spring training. Despite the success he's experiencing now, Moncada is expected to start the season in Triple-A Charlotte.