MLB Player News

Valencia, who went 2-for-4 with an RBI single and run in Thursday's Cactus League win over the Giants, is now the everyday first baseman with the demotion of Dan Vogelbach to Triple-A Tacoma, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Valencia was originally slated to be the right-handed side of a platoon with Vogelbach, but he'll now have an opportunity for a full workload. He's rightfully earned a reputation as a lefty masher throughout his career, slashing .321/.373/.500 with a .377 wOBA and 32 percent hard contact rate against southpaws. While his numbers against right-handers come nowhere close, they've notably improved the last two seasons, as he's posted respective averages of .285 and .275 over that span. While he's struggled overall this spring (.208 average over 53 at-bats), Valencia brings a body of work at the major league level that Vogelbach doesn't yet possess. "Danny has a real track record," general manager Jerry Dipoto said. "Over the last three seasons he's really hit, both righties and lefties. We talked about that as one of his main attractions. The versatility. He's pounded the lefties and over the last couple years he's hit the righties as well. He's transitioned to first quite well. He can really throw for a first baseman and here over the last week's he's actually started to pick it up., the barrel contact, he's starting to swing the bat better."

Ramirez has signed a four-year, $26 million extension with the Indians, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports.

This contract will keep Ramirez under Cleveland's control through at least the 2021 season, and it includes a pair of club options, which would cover up to three years after Ramirez could become a free agent. After hitting .312/.363/.462 in 2016, Ramirez brought plus offense at third base to go with a glove that arguably belongs at shortstop, so it's easy to see why Cleveland is so optimistic about his future.

Urshela's chances of making the Opening Day roster have increased due to the injury to Jason Kipnis (shoulder), MLB.com's Jordan Bastian reports.

Jose Ramirez, the team's starting third baseman, may be headed over to temporarily fill Kipnis' shoes at second. If that proves to be the case, an extra glove at the hot corner will be needed on the Tribe's 25-man roster. Urshela is among a handful of players vying for the gig that includes Erik Gonzalez, Richie Shaffer and Yandy Diaz. Although Urshela's offensive capabilities are substandard compared to his competitors, the 25-year-old has one of the better gloves of the group (if not the best) and that may be manager Terry Francona's preferred attribute for whoever he chooses to fill the role.

Donaldson is back in the Grapefruit League lineup Friday, batting third and returning to third base, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet reports.

The slugger returned to spring action earlier this week and played his first reps at third base Wednesday, so it's a plus that Donaldson got back out there for Toronto's second straight game. Return him safely to first-round consideration in most mixed fantasy leagues as long as he makes it through the coming days of exhibition action unscathed.

Donaldson (calf) made his first defensive appearance of the spring and went 0-for-1 with a walk in Thursday's exhibition contest against the Tigers.

The big news Monday was Donaldson logging four innings as the team's third baseman. The crowd at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium let out a roar when Toronto's star handled a routine grounder in the top of the second inning, his first assist of the spring. Bench coach DeMarlo Hale told MLB.com , "He had a good pregame where he had some movement, and threw the ball across the diamond. So it's a good sign and a good feeling to see him over there, for sure." It was certainly a relief to see Donaldson on the field, but owners should continue to closely monitor how his body responds as he ramps up his activity level.

Segura went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 9-8 Cactus League loss to the Angels.

In what was his second game back from the World Baseball Classic, Segura got a hold of a Kirby Yates breaking ball in the sixth and launched it over the left-field fence to open the Mariners' scoring on the day. Factoring in Wednesday's production, the hot-hitting offseason acquisition is hitting .333 (8-for-24) with two doubles, two homers, six RBI, a walk and five runs this spring.

Moustakas went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 6-2 win over the Padres in Cactus League play.

With four homers already this spring, Moustakas looks to have retained the power he displayed early last season before suffering a torn ACL, but he's displayed little in the way of plate discipline. He's struck out in a quarter of his at-bats and has walked just three times, resulting in an uninspiring .250 on-base percentage. Moustakas' career .303 mark in that category carries more weight than his spring number, but it nonetheless illustrates the lesser value he carries in OBP leagues.

Bregman will return to training camp after the World Baseball Classic ends and is expected to play in a Grapefruit League game Friday, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Bregman has barely played in the WBC and really needs to get some at-bats in game action before the regular season hits. That's why he'll hit the ground running in Houston while Carlos Correa, Nori Aoki and Carlos Beltran will resume spring training Saturday.

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.