MLB Player News

The Royals announced Thursday infielder Pedro Ciriaco has accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Omaha. He was designated for assignment Saturday.

The Royals have promoted right-hander Aaron Brooks to join their bullpen and designated infielder Pedro Ciriaco for assignment.

The 23-year-old Brooks has yet to make his major league debut.

Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts notched his first career three-hit game on Thursday against the Orioles.

Bogaerts, who batted fifth in the lineup, cranked out singles in the second, fourth and seventh innings, respectively. He finished 3 for 4 with two runs scored in a 4-3 victory. He has six hits in his first nine at-bats to start the season.

Emerging Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts has been placed in a power position in the lineup for the first time in his young career. He will bat fifth Thursday night againt Orioles left-hander Wei Yin-Chen.

Bogaerts is off to a promising start with two hits and three hits in two games for a .625 on-base percentage.

The Tigers talked to the Diamondbacks about a trade involving shortstop Chris Owings, but the conversation didn't progress very far, sources told FOX Sports 1.

Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts has been mired in a bit of a slump since belting his first home run of the spring March 5 against the Cardinals. Bogaerts has gone hitless in his last four games (0 for 9), dropping his spring average to .167 (3 for 18).

The 21-year-old infielder has one double, two RBI, three runs, four walks and four strikeouts in eight games. 

Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada's shaky play this spring has renewed concerns for management he will not be able to handle the starting shortstop job. Therefore, the Mets are continuing to monitor the shortstop market, according to the New York Daily News.

A team source said Tuesday the Mets continue to scout Mariners infielder Nick Franklin, as they decide whether or not Franklin can play shortstop well enough to justify his offensive potential and giving up a starting pitcher prospect for him.

Also, a source for another team told the Daily News the Mets are also monitoring the Diamondbacks' shortstop competition, and "could jump in" to make a trade for Didi Gregorius or Chris Owings before spring training ends. Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers said recently he would consider trading one of his young shortstops, ideally for a top catching prospect, which would likely be Mets catcher Kevin Plawecki.

There is also free-agent shortstop Stephen Drew, but there is no indication from Drew's agent, Scott Boras, that his client would be willing to sign a bargain-type contract.

Red Sox manager John Farrell provided a projected lineup/batting order during an interview with WEEI Wednesday.

The lineup consisted of Shane Victorino leading off. He was followed by Dustin Pedroia, David Ortiz, Mike Napoli, Daniel Nava, A.J. Pierzynski, Xander Bogaerts, Will Middlebrooks and Jackie Bradley.

The Red Sox will use Xander Bogaerts strictly as a shortstop for now, according to the Boston Globe. 

Bogaerts mostly saw time at third last year due to Stephen Drew being in town, but was brought up in the minors as a shortstop. With Drew currently a free-agent, the team wants to make sure Bogaerts gets as many reps at short as possible. While he still could see time at third, the team doesn't want to overload him by giving him reps at other positions.

Bogaerts hit .250/.320/.364 in 44 at-bats last season.

Plenty of Red Sox hitters have reported to camp early, according to the Boston Globe.

Pitchers are catchers aren't set to report until February 15, but a few players showed up early. The most interesting names among the bunch are Will Middlebrooks, Xander Bogaerts and Jackie Bradley Jr.

Middlebrooks is attempting to recover from a down year in 2013, and it's a good sign that he's in camp early. He hit just .227 last season, but is slated to be the team's starting third baseman. The Red Sox continue to be rumored as a landing spot for Stephen Drew, but Middlebrooks' performance in camp could prevent them from making the move.

Bogaerts is in a similar position. The top prospect will be looking at a potential breakout season as the team's starting shortstop. Bogaerts' playing time was limited by Drew being in town last year, but the training wheels are coming off this year.

Bradley Jr. will be fighting for a spot on the team's 25-man roster after Grady Sizemore was brought in. Bradley Jr. was considered one of the team's best prospects entering last season, but was promoted too early and struggled. There's still plenty of potential there if he can beat out Sizemore.