MLB Player News

Manager Ned Yost has named Mondesi as the Royals' Opening Day starter at second base, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Mondesi beat out Whit Merrifield and Christian Colon for the job at second base. The 21-year-old struggled at the plate during his 47 games with the Royals in 2016, slashing just .185/.231/.281 over 149 plate appearances, though he did flash impressive defense and swipe nine bases (on 10 attempts). His speed and defense, coupled with his impressive spring -- where he is 17-for-46 with three homers (.370/.383/.609) -- have made him a popular late-round middle infield target, one that is even more justifiable now that he is solidified as the starter.

Mondesi went 1-for-2 with three stolen bases and a run in Sunday's game against the Angels.

The 21-year-old had only one stolen base in his first 18 Cactus League games, but he finally flashed the kind of speed that has made him a popular late-round middle-infield target. Mondesi went 9-for-10 on the basepaths and provided stellar defense in 47 games with the big club last season, but batted just .185/.231/.281 over 149 plate appearances. He's gone 17-for-46 with three homers and a 1:12 BB:K so far this spring (.370/.383/.609), positioning himself to break camp as the starter at second base.

Tejada was assigned to the Yankees' minor-league camp Monday.

Even with everyday shortstop Didi Gregorius (shoulder) expected to open the season on the DL, Tejada wasn't able to secure a roster spot out of spring training despite slashing a solid .286/.366/.429 in 35 at-bats during Grapefruit League play. Ronald Torreyes and Rob Refsnyder look like manager Joe Girardi's preferred utility-infield options for the big club, so Tejada will have to bide his time at Triple-A Wilkes-Barre/Scranton before an opportunity opens up for him.

Adrianza (oblique) will sit out for at least a few more days, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Adrianza was still feeling sore Sunday after exiting Saturday's Grapefruit League game with a strained right oblique, so he'll undergo treatment for a few days before resuming baseball activities. The 27-year-old could be a candidate to land on the 10-day DL to begin the season if he fails to return to game action before spring training draws to a close.

Correa (illness) will play shortstop and bat in the cleanup spot in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The Astros held Correa out Saturday while he battled flu-like symptoms, but one day off was all he needed to make a full recovery. Correa, who has been away from the Astros for much of March while playing for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic, shapes up as a solid early-round selection in drafts after hitting .274 with 20 homers, 96 RBI and 13 steals in 2016.

Adrianza exited Saturday's game against the Orioles after fouling a ball off his foot, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

The versatile Adrianza is vying with Eduardo Escobar and Danny Santana for a utility role in the Twins' infield this spring and has strung together a strong .313/.405/.469 slash line across 32 at-bats. More updates on the severity of his foot injury should be made available following Saturday's game. Adrianza was replaced by Benji Gonzalez at second base Saturday.

Correa will be out of action Saturday due to flu-like symptoms, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Correa returned to Grapefruit League play Friday after blasting three home runs for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic. He'll be looking to build off a steady 2016 campaign in which he slashed .274/.361/.451 and knocked in 96 runs.

Bogaerts went 1-for-4 with a run scored in Thursday's game against the Pirates.

Bogaerts batted sixth on a day the Red Sox fielded a lineup representative of one they could use in the regular season. The shortstop hit primarily out of the second and third spots last season when he was third in MLB with 652 at-bats. Opportunities will be fewer batting this low in the order, where protection could also become an issue.

O'Malley (appendectomy) returned to the clubhouse Wednesday after his Tuesday surgery, The Seattle Times reports.

O'Malley had been locked in a spirited spring battle with Taylor Motter and Mike Freeman for the utility role, but given the timing of his surgery and subsequent recovery, he's almost certain to start the season at Triple-A Tacoma. The most likely recovery timetable is 2-3 weeks, which pushes his return past Opening Day. Despite the fact he may have lost out on a roster spot for the time being, the impression he left with his play this spring was a lasting one, which could serve his chances of returning to the big league club later in the season. "He's played very well (this spring),'' manager Scott Servais said of O'Malley who has hit .278 in 36 at-bats. "Done a nice job at shortstop and wherever we've put him. We all know what Shawn brings. It's the high energy, great effort every time he's out there, whether it's a spring training 'B' game or we put him in late in a game in a big-league game."

Wendle will resume throwing on Thursday after being shut down with a shoulder issue, Joe Stiglich of CSN California reports.

Wendle hasn't appeared in a spring game since March 7 due to an undisclosed shoulder issue, though he recently underwent an MRI that showed no significant damage, which is positive news. The A's likely won't rush the 26-year-old back, as he's expected to start the year at Triple-A.