MLB Player News

Anderson will miss Friday's game against Cleveland due to a stomach virus, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

With the illness occurring nearly a month before Opening Day, Anderson can afford to miss a few days and still have plenty of time to get ready for the regular season. He lines up to hit near the top of the batting order for the White Sox as the everyday shortstop this season.

Bogaerts (ankle) hit in the cage Friday but remains a few days from getting into a game, Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe reports.

Bogaerts has been dealing with a sore ankle since early in camp. The issue doesn't appear to be a major worry, and he still has time to get built up for Opening Day, though it would certainly be reassuring to see him looking like himself in a Grapefruit League game soon.

Manager Kevin Cash said that Franco will join the Rays for Thursday's split-squad game against the Tigers, Steve Carney of Sports Radio 620 WDAE reports.

The 18-year-old phenom is scheduled to substitute in for Willy Adames at shortstop midway through Thursday's contest before making the trip with the big club to West Palm Beach, Fla. for Friday's game against the Nationals. Franco's exposure to big-league camp at this stage of his development speaks to his elite talent, and the Rays remain open to the possibility of the switch-hitting infielder making his MLB debut at some point in 2020 if his performance warrants it. After torching the competition in stops at Low-A Bowling Green and High-A Charlotte last season, Franco could report to Double-A Montgomery to begin the campaign.

Gordon, who arrived in camp late due to the birth of his daughter, is expected to make his Cactus League debut either Wednesday or Thursday, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

The veteran infielder has been busy playing catch-up after not reporting to camp until last Friday. Gordon isn't projected to open the season as the starter at second base, with Shed Long slated for the top job at the keystone. However, the 31-year-old is still expected to serve as a valuable veteran presence and a fill-in option in at both second and center field.

Interim manager Ron Roenicke said Bogaerts (ankle) would hit and field grounders Tuesday, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Bogaerts' ability to put in a workout for the second consecutive day offers further evidence that his sore left ankle isn't a major concern. The 27-year-old could be ready to make his Grapefruit League debut within the next few days.

Bogaerts (ankle) took batting practice on the field Monday, Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe reports.

Bogaerts won't be available for either of the Red Sox's split-squad games Monday, but his presence on the field at least represents a sign that he's beginning to move past a sore left ankle. He'll likely accelerate his activities over the next few days and could be a candidate to make his Grapefruit League debut later this week.

Anderson batted leadoff Sunday, going 1-for-3 with an RBI in a spring win over the Reds.

Chicago's leadoff batter is one job yet to be determined as Cactus League games commence. Anderson and Yoan Moncada, who batted second, are expected to occupy the top two spots in the order. Anderson is not the classic top-of-the-order guy in that he's a free swinger that doesn't draw many walks (2.9 percent in 2019). That spot will give him plenty of plate appearances, which the White Sox will want from the American League's reigning batting champ (.335).

Urena cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Urena was designated for assignment by Baltimore last week but will remain in the organization after going through waivers unclaimed. The 23-year-old will continue to work in the major-league camp as a non-roster invitee.

Lindor and manager Terry Francona might have a discussion this spring about possibly moving Lindor out of the leadoff spot, Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com reports.

Francona cautioned that nothing was imminent about a batting order change. "I'm not trying to move him out of that spot," said Francona. "I want to be open to what could be our best lineup. I don't think anybody knows that until you have a better idea of what your team is going to look like." If Lindor were to move down to second or third in the order, he would have more RBI opportunities, perhaps at the expense of fewer plate appearances along with fewer chances to run.

Manager Rick Renteria said he's leaning towards hitting Anderson first or second in the order, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Anderson and Yoan Moncada are tentatively expected to fill the top two spots in Chicago's lineup, in any order, though nothing is set in stone. The 26-year-old is coming off a career year in 2019 during which he hit .335/.357/.508 with 18 home runs and 17 stolen bases in 123 games.