MLB Player News

Moncada played three innings at second base and had a hit from each side of the plate in an exhibition game against Northeastern University on Monday, the Providence Journal reports.

Moncada was the highlight draw in the second game of a double-header against college teams that featured none of Boston's major-league talent. The man considered the organization's top prospect is not in the major-league camp this spring, but manager John Farrell wanted him Monday and will give him more opportunities when the Red Sox kick off spring games against major-league competition. "With someone who has the talents of Yoan, you'd like to get as much exposure as you can within reason," Farrell said. "I think every opportunity that presents itself that he can come over and get into games, we'd like to take advantage of that."

Urshela appears set to start the season at Triple-A Columbus now that the Indians have finalized a contract with Juan Uribe.

Urshela struggled at the plate (.608 OPS) after being called up in June last year but his glove work at the hot corner gave him the inside track at a starting role prior to Uribe's signing. He'll head to Triple-A to start the season in order to get regular playing time.

Moustakas is the likely candidate to hit second in the Royals' lineup, Rustin Dodd of The Kansas City Star reports.

Moustakas also started last season in the two-hole, but he promptly tumbled down the lineup when the Royals acquired Ben Zobrist. Alex Gordon has an argument for hitting second this year thanks to a higher on-base percentage, but it looks like the third baseman's stronger power stats and still-respectable OBP will give him an edge. If he does hold on to that spot, he'll continue hitting ahead of Lorenzo Cain, Eric Hosmer, and Kendrys Morales, which can do good things to a player's run output.

Ramirez will see time in both left field and center field this spring, MLB.com reports.

Ramirez was already expected to serve as Cleveland's primary utility infielder with the departure of Mike Aviles via free agency and being able to handle a couple of outfield positions would only further his usefulness to the Tribe.

Urshela could start the season in Triple-A following the Indians' signing of Juan Uribe on Friday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Urshela hit just .225/.279/.330 with six home runs and 21 RBI for the Tribe in 2015, so it is makes sense that they would bring in Uribe to try and solidify third base. At the age of 24, Urshela is still young and having the veteran presence of Uribe around could be a positive for his long-term development. If Uribe doesn't perform or suffers an injury, it is likely that Urshela steps in as the starter in his place.

Moustakas agreed to a two-year, $14.3 million contract with the Royals on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

An impressive 2015 campaign from the 26-year-old Moustakas earned him a significant pay bump for the final two years of arbitration. After setting career highs in most offensive categories, his place in the batting order remains a bit unclear heading into the 2016 season. He began 2015 batting second in the order, but the mid-season acquisition of Ben Zobrist resulted in Moustakas being pushed down to sixth. With Zobrist no longer in the picture, it wouldn't be surprising he hits near the top again.

Donaldson agreed to a two-year, $29 million contract with the Blue Jays on Monday to avoid arbitration, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet reports.

Donaldson will have a tough task duplicating his numbers from the 2015 season after posting 41 home runs, 123 RBI, and 122 runs in what was easily the best statistical campaign of his five-year career. Nevertheless, he'll be touted as a first-round power hitter under most formats who's played in 158 games during each of his last three seasons.

Moncada received an award as the Red Sox minor-league player of the year from the Boston chapter of the Baseball Writers of America, the Providence Journal reports.

Moncada, 20, is considered Boston's top prospect and should advance through at least two levels in 2016. He made adjustments during the second half of the season at Low-A Greenville and appears ready to tackle High-Salem and later Double-A Portland in 2016.

Plouffe and the Twins agreed to terms on a one-year, $7.25 million deal Monday, avoiding arbitration, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Plouffe drove in 86 runs and hit .244 last season, down from the career-best .258 mark he posted in 2014. He figures to return in a similar role in 2016, though with Miguel Sano expected to play more regularly in the field, Plouffe may face competition at third base. The 29-year-old also played sparingly at first base last season, so that may be an option, but GM Terry Ryan said back in October that he does not anticipate Plouffe moving to the outfield, where he hasn't played since 2012.

Escobar has earned the starting shortstop job for the Twins, manager Paul Molitor told the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

After his 2014 breakout season, Escobar was surprisingly moved to a utility role in favor of Danny Santana at shortstop last spring. However, he reclaimed the starting job when Santana faltered. Escobar enters spring training this year as the clear favorite for the everyday job.