MLB Player News

Bogaerts (shoulder) will start at shortstop Wednesday for the first time this spring, Steve Hewitt of the Boston Herald reports.

Bogaerts has been limited to DH duty since making his spring debut last Friday, but he is set to see his first action in the field in Wednesday's contest. Barring any setbacks over the next couple weeks, expect Bogaerts to occupy the starting shortstop spot come Opening Day.

General manager Dayton Moore said Tuesday that the Royals are open to putting Witt on the Opening Day roster, Jim Bowden of The Athletic reports.

The 20-year-old never seemed to have much of a chance of opening the season in the majors given that he has yet to see professional game action above rookie ball, but he's made an incredible impression so far in spring training. Witt has a .333/.379/.667 slash line with three home runs, seven RBI and nine runs through 11 Cactus League contests. The second overall pick of the 2019 draft primarily plays shortstop, but Moore made clear that Witt can also play second base, third base and center field. Kansas City's decision could get more difficult if he continues to perform well over the final two weeks of camp.

Bogaerts (shoulder) will serve as the designated hitter and bat third in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Though he'll be limited to DH duties for the fourth time in five days while he works back from a sore shoulder, Bogaerts is on track to make his spring debut at shortstop Wednesday against the Twins as long as he escapes Tuesday's contest without any setbacks. The 28-year-old is well on his way to being ready for a full-time role in the field by the time Opening Day arrives.

Fletcher will function as the Angels' everyday second baseman this season, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Fletcher bounced around often during his first three big-league seasons, logging frequent time at second base as well as shortstop, third base and the outfield. He played more games (27) at shortstop last season than his 15 games at second base, due largely to Andrelton Simmons' injury woes. However, the Angels traded for a new starting shortstop in Jose Iglesias in the offseason, allowing Fletcher to settle in at second base. Still, it wouldn't be surprising to see him log time at other positions when needed.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Downs is feeling "OK" after injuring his left side in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Cora didn't suggest that Downs would require an MRI, so the 22-year-old appears to have avoided a more serious injury such as an oblique strain. The Red Sox are viewing Downs as day-to-day, but he looks like he'll have a chance to return to the spring lineup later this week.

Bogaerts (shoulder) is pushing hard to play shortstop Wednesday against the Twins, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Bogaerts was the designated hitter Sunday and will DH again Tuesday. If he doesn't get onto the field on his target date of Wednesday, it sounds like that should be coming any day now. He is tracking toward being in the lineup on Opening Day.

Witt is hitting .333/.379/.667 with three home runs, six strikeouts and two walks through 27 at-bats this spring.

Witt, who turns 21 in June, has been the talk of Royals camp and has earned glowing reviews from those inside and outside the organization. While he lacks experience in a full-season league, the normal rules may not apply here. Witt was a standout last summer at the alternate training site and looks like one of Kansas City's best position players this spring, so he could debut this season.

The Rays reassigned Franco to their minor-league camp Monday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Tampa Bay's demotion of its top prospect doesn't come as a major surprise, as Franco was always expected to get a little more seasoning in the upper levels of the minors before making his MLB debut at some point later this season. Franco made a positive impression over his seven games with the Rays during the Grapefruit League slate, going 5-for-17 with a home run.

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.