MLB Player News

Lindor (calf) took batting practice and fielded groundballs Wednesday, but manager Terry Francona noted that the shortstop hasn't been cleared to move laterally while fielding, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

While it's encouraging that Lindor is able to take part in baseball activities in some capacity as he battles the right calf strain, a good portion of his value to the club comes from his speed on the basepaths and range in the infield. With the injury still inhibiting him in both capacities, his return to the Cactus League lineup doesn't appear imminent. The Indians haven't yet closed the door on Lindor being ready for the March 28 season opener versus the Twins.

Urena appears to be the favorite to begin the season as the Blue Jays' utility infielder, Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com reports.

Devon Travis' latest knee woes have pushed Lourdes Gurriel Jr. into the starting second base job, opening up a spot for Urena on the bench. Journeyman Eric Sogard is also competing for that role, but since Urena is already on the 40-man roster he has a potentially decisive edge despite his lackluster .257/.311/.341 slash line in 61 career MLB games. Whoever wins it may only stick around until Vlad Guerrero Jr. joins the team, likely in mid-April.

D'Arnaud (oblique) is a "full go," Jared Sandler of 105.3 The FAN reports.

It sounds like d'Arnaud is back to full health after dealing with a strained left oblique earlier in camp. The veteran is expected to compete for a bench role, though he seems more likely to open the season in the minors given his career wRC+ of 59 at the highest level.

Owings went 1-for-3 with a grand slam, a walk and two runs scored Sunday against Cleveland.

Owings handed the Royals an 8-7 lead in the sixth inning by crushing a grand slam over the left-field wall. The 27-year-old is slated to take on a utility role for Kansas City this season, and his early power surge in spring training games certainly isn't hurting his bid for playing time. Owings has tagged two home runs and driven in five in 17 at-bats.

Mateo was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Sunday, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

Mateo went 5-for-18 with an RBI and three runs scored during his time in major-league camp. He currently ranks as Oakland's No. 4 prospect, although he did struggle at the dish at Triple-A a season ago (.230/.280/.353 batting line through 131 games).

Bogaerts went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Saturday's game against the Orioles.

Bogaerts smacked his first homer of the spring while hitting fifth in the order. He mostly hit out of the five hole last season, when the shortstop launched a career-high 23 long balls and drove in 103 runs. It was a season in which Bogaerts' batted-ball profile improved dramatically. He barreled up 9.8 percent of his batted balls, up from 1.3 the previous season, and increased his hard-hit rate from 31.7 percent to 41.5.

Correa started at designated hitter and went 1-for-3 with a double in Friday's game against St. Louis.

Correa, who was clearly hampered by a back issue late last season, played on consecutive days for the first time this spring. The next benchmark for the shortstop is playing in the field on consecutive days. He has two hits -- both for extra bases - in 10 Grapefruit League at-bats.

Correa said he feels good about where his body is at, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. "My back feels great," the shortstop said.

Correa said he wasn't able to hit the ball harder than 105 mph last season because of his back injury, but he's feeling good after scalding a double during Thursday's game against the Marlins that apparently came off the bat at 113 mph. "That made me feel good about where my body's at right now and where my swing's at," the 24-year-old said. He slapped another two-bagger in Friday's game against the Cardinals.

Lindor (calf) hit in the cages for the first time this spring Friday, Marly Rivera of ESPN reports.

Lindor also took grounders and was cleared to go for a light jog. His status for the start of the season remains in question due to a right calf strain he suffered in early February, but the shortstop is trending in the right direction.

Anderson went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI in Thursday's game against Seattle.

The home run completed the cycle for Anderson this spring. He's 5-for-11 in the Cactus League with a homer, triple, double, four RBI and three runs scored. Anderson made a splash in 2018 with his first 20-20 season, a flashy offensive feat that obscured a .281 on-base percentage and .687 OPS. He's still growing as a hitter, so it may be premature to peg him as a counting-stats only fantasy asset.