MLB Player News

Chang appears to be the leading candidate to win a utility role this spring, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports. He's hitting .294 (5-for-17) with three home runs this spring.

With the trade of Mike Freeman to the Reds, it looks like Chang will begin the season on the big-league roster. If he can carry his strong showing at the plate into the regular season, it's not out of the question Cleveland could find a way to get him more at-bats.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Downs was removed from Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins due to a left side injury, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Cora acknowledged the possibility that Downs might be dealing with an oblique strain, but the Red Sox training staff will likely put the middle-infield prospect through more tests before a firmer diagnosis is made. Downs picked up the injury when he dove after a ball while playing shortstop.

Downs left Sunday's spring game against the Twins after a dive attempt during the seventh inning, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

The 22-year-old came off the bench Sunday but didn't have a plate appearance after suffering the injury in the field. Downs was able to leave the field under his own power, so it may not end up being a serious issue.

Bogaerts (shoulder) will serve as Boston's designated hitter and will bat third in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

The Red Sox initially planned on having Bogaerts take part in a simulated game Sunday, but he'll instead remain in the spring lineup for the third day in a row. Bogaerts still has yet to make his debut in the field while the Red Sox ease him back from the sore right shoulder he developed earlier in camp, but manager Alex Cora said he expects the 28-year-old to occupy his normal post at shortstop Tuesday against Atlanta or Wednesday against Minnesota, per McCaffrey.

Bogaerts said he'll be ready for Opening Day after making his Grapefruit League debut Friday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Bogaerts arrived to spring training with a sore right shoulder and has been brought along slowly. He served as the designated hitter Friday (0-for-2). "Yeah, I will be completely ready [for Opening Day]," Bogaerts said. "I feel completely ready right now. Just looking forward to continuing to strengthen my shoulders and working with the training staff and just sticking to the routine we have going on right now." The next steps will be more baseball activities and playing in the field during a game. Bogaerts will serve as the DH for a second straight game Saturday, when the Red Sox host Atlanta.

Bogaerts (shoulder) will make his spring debut in Friday's exhibition game against the Rays, Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe reports.

Bogaerts was expected to make his first appearance of the spring Friday, and Boston's lineup confirms he will do just that. He will be eased into action at the designated hitter spot, but barring any setbacks he should be at full speed for Opening Day.

Crawford, who hit leadoff in 48 of 53 games last season, is likely to share the role more often this season with Mitch Haniger, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

"We'll continue to play with that. It won't be just locked in," manager Scott Servais said. "Last year, we had J.P. at the top, just because I thought we didn't have a ton of options. So, we'll continue to be flexible and move it around there." The 26-year-old has gotten off to a modest start in Cactus League play -- he's hitting just .200 (2-for-10) with five walks, a stolen base and a run across his first six games -- but he reported to spring camp with about 10 pounds of additional muscle and hit a career-best .255 last season over 232 plate appearances while striking out at a career-low 16.8 percent clip. However, Haniger is now back and healthy after missing almost two full seasons. The veteran outfielder slashed .330/.388/.580 across 45 games at the top of the order in 2018 and profiles as a highly viable opposite-handed alternative to the lefty-hitting Crawford in the leadoff spot.

Bogaerts (shoulder) will serve as the designated hitter during Friday's spring game against the Rays, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Bogaerts was brought along slowly to begin spring training after he reported soreness in his right shoulder March 1. However, manager Alex Cora confirmed that the 28-year-old will take his first in-game at-bats against Tampa Bay on Friday. It's not yet clear when he'll be able to return to the field, but Bogaerts has said that he thinks he'll be ready for Opening Day.

Diaz started at third base and went 2-for-2 with a double and a run scored in Wednesday's spring game against the Marlins.

Diaz has filled his usual role this spring, playing first base (three games), shortstop (two) and third base (two) over seven Grapefruit League contests. With Alex Bregman's hamstring injury lingering and his spring debut undetermined, Diaz could focus on third base in the short term. He's 3-for-10 with two doubles, one RBI and two runs scored so far in spring training.

Correa batted leadoff and went 3-for-3 with two RBI in Wednesday's spring game against the Marlins.

Houston manager Dusty Baker declared Correa as a candidate to lead off along with center fielder Myles Straw. Wednesday's start was the third time this spring that Correa has hit leadoff and the first success he's had in that role. The Astros are looking to replace George Springer atop the batting order, and Correa brings a similar offensive style to Springer, while Straw offers a speed element.