MLB Player News

Urena was informed Tuesday that he would be included on the Blue Jays' Opening Day roster, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The 23-year-old switch hitter will serve as a utility infielder for Toronto, a role that will likely afford him only a couple starts per week. With a .257/.311/.341 slash line, two home runs and three steals over 183 career plate appearances in the majors, Urena won't carry much fantasy appeal if he finds himself in a full-time role at some point this season.

Lindor suffered an acute left ankle sprain in a minor-league game Tuesday.

An MRI revealed the sprain to be mild-to-moderate, per Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. Although Lindor's latest injury is to his other leg, it's certainly not an ideal development while the shortstop works back from a right calf strain. The Indians have already indicated that Lindor will open the season on the injured list, and the ankle setback could push his return timeline back further.

Correa's neck stiffness may cause him to miss Opening Day, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

Manager AJ Hinch wouldn't commit to Correa being ready, saying the team would evaluate him over the next two days before making a call. The shortstop hasn't played since Friday, but he's been fielding groundballs and hitting in the cage, so it doesn't sound as if any potential absence will be a prolonged one.

Lindor (calf) played eight innings at shortstop and went 1-for-4 with a home run and four RBI in a minor-league game Monday.

More so than his offensive contributions, Lindor's ability to play the field for nearly an entire game is a good indication that he's nearing the finish line in his recovery from a right calf strain. The Indians have already stated that Lindor will open the season on the injured list, but the three-time All-Star still looks to have a realistic chance at making his 2019 debut within the first week of April.

Correa was scratched from the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Pirates due to neck stiffness, Richard Justice of MLB.com reports.

The issue isn't being described as a severe one, so it's possible this is just the Astros being cautious with Opening Day a mere two days away. Aledmys Diaz would be the beneficiary if Correa is forced to miss time, either playing shortstop himself or starting at third base and moving Alex Bregman to shortstop.

Fletcher (hamstring) is starting at second base and hitting seventh Monday against the Dodgers, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Fletcher was scratched over the weekend due to hamstring tightness, though the injury was never thought to be anything that would jeopardize his status for the start of the season. Barring any setbacks, he should be good to go for Thursday's season-opener against the A's.

Wendle will be one of three players filling in at third base during Matt Duffy's (hamstring) stay on the injured list, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

The 28-year-old Wendle complemented above-average work at the plate in 2018 with a diverse defensive resume, and his versatility will come into play early during the coming season. Wendle, Daniel Robertson and Yandy Diaz are expected to form a three-man rotation at the hot corner while Duffy is sidelined, an absence that will persist through at least the first seven games of the season. Although the majority of his time (101 games) was spent at second base last season, Wendle did log 20 appearances at third.

Fletcher was scratched from the lineup for Saturday's game against the Padres with hamstring tightness, Maria Torres of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Erick Salcedo will replace Fletcher at second base. If Fletcher forced to miss extended time, Tommy La Stella would be in line to fill in for him at second base, though manager Brad Ausmus said he's expected to be ready for Opening Day.

Bogaerts said he feels OK following his collision with Byron Buxton (face) on Friday, Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald reports.

According to Alex Speier of The Boston Globe, Bogaerts said the brim of Buxton's helmet banged against his collarbone. The shortstop added that he felt some stiffness afterwards, but the trainer checked him out and said he was fine. Bogaerts stayed in for two at-bats following the collision, finishing the day 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. It doesn't sound like the issue is anything to worry about, though the Red Sox may play it safe and give him a day off with Opening Day less than a week away.

Lindor (calf) will open the season on the injured list, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

It turns out Lindor, who is working his way back from a right calf strain, won't have enough time to get in shape before the start of the season. It's unclear how long he will remain on the shelf at this point, but the move can be backdated to March 25, making the shortstop eligible to return April 4 should he prove ready. While Lindor is sidelined, Max Moroff and Eric Stamets are candidates to see time at shortstop.