MLB Player News

Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada has been scratched Sunday with a tight hamstring, according to the Newsday.

Tejada will be replaced by Anthony Seratelli at short. Tejada hit .202/.259/.260 in 206 at-bats last season.  

Though the have only played four spring training games so far, the Dodgers may already have a favorite in the battle for the second base job. According to ESPN.com Saturday, the "consensus" in Dodgers' camp is that Dee Gordon is the frontrunner for the job, which would leave Alex Guerrero slated for a trip to the minors.

Gordon is just 1 for 7 in his first four appearances of the spring, but does have three stolen bases and two runs scored. Guerrero is 3 for 11 but all of his hits have been singles, and he has yet to walk while striking out three times. 

Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada went 0 for 3 and left four men on base in his team's 5-4 loss to the Nationals.

It was an inauspicious spring debut for the Mets' presumed starting shortstop, and if he struggles this spring, the Mets would likely bring in another starting option via trade or free agency. His performance fell off a cliff in 2013 when he hit just .202/.259/.260 in 208 at-bats.

The Diamondbacks are looking to trade for a backup catcher to Miguel Montero that could possibly supplant him as the starter, according to the Arizona Republic. That means current starting shortstop contenders Chris Owings and Didi Gregorius could be dangled.

"For us, it would have to be the right deal," general manager Kevin Towers said. "If it's right, top-notch catching prospect. Someone we could have right behind Miggy. More of an upper-level guy. Maybe a top, upper-end starter."

Owings might land a better prospect because of his offensive potential.

Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada is in line to be the team's starting option, according to Newsday.

General manager Sandy Alderson confirmed the news to reporters. It doesn't sound like Tejada will have a lot of leeway if he struggles, however. The Mets have been mentioned as a candidate for Stephen Drew, but there doesn't appear to be much happening there. 

Tejada hit .202 in 208 at-bats last year.

Padres manager Bud Black said four players -- Alexi Amarista, Ryan Jackson, Alberto Gonzalez and Jace Peterson -- could all get playing time at third base this spring while Chase Headley is sidelined by a calf injury.

"We'll mix and match over at third," Black said, per MLB.com. "It's good for those guys. It will be great for those guys to get exposed to third base. They'll get some [at-bats], some playing time.

"We know what Chase can do. Here in the short term, it will be good to get those guys exposed. They are up for it."

It will be a good experience for Amarista, who is expected to serve in a utility role for San Diego.

"Alexi's game, for me, is his versatility," Black said. "You look at all the components of his game, he's capable at second, capable at short, capable at third, capable of all three outfield spots. He's a very dependable player on defense. On offense, he's done some things to win some games for us. He can move around the diamond, he doesn't scare off, he plays with energy. He's a good all-around player."

After a turbulent 2013 season, Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada dedicated his offseason to getting in shape and coming to camp ready to silence his critics, according to Newsday.

"The only promise I make is that I'll go every day to the field ready to work hard and play hard, to try to do the best for me, my family, for everybody," Tejada said. "That's the only promise I make every time."

Tejada said he's ready for "a new opportunity" in 2014.

"It's a good thing," he said. "I have the opportunity to make every adjustment . . . to stay happy with me, happy with the front office, happy with the fans, happy with everybody."

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said he could go with a platoon situation at second base to begin the season, while the team continues to evaluate newcomer Alex Guerrero.

"Yeah, we’d think about it," Mattingly said, per The Orange County Register. "Sure. I like platoons, honestly. It gets you a good matchup for the most part, with the right-lefts if you have the right guys for it. To me, it keeps both those guys involved so they’re better off the bench. I don’t mind that platoon system at all." 

Guerrero would likely be the right-handed half of the platoon. If the Dodgers go that path, then Dee Gordon, who is a left-handed hitter, and Chone Figgins, who bats from both sides of the plate, could be the front-runners to be part of the platoon. Miguel Rojas, Justin Turner and Justin Sellers are all right-handed hitters, but also in the mix at second base.

"If Alex is one of those guys, I think it would probably be good for him," Mattingly said. "You’re giving him a chance to play, hopefully getting him favorable matchups but also keeping him strong and rested as a guy that hasn’t played in a couple years. Eventually, if you think he’s an everyday guy that might not be the way to go. But I could see that being a possibility if he ends up being one of those guys."

Mets manager Terry Collins said he's eager to see shortstop Ruben Tejada in action after the infielder spent eight weeks this winter at a training facility run by a former University of Michigan football strength and conditioning coach, who consults for the Mets. 

"He looks good. You can tell he’s really worked hard and trimmed down," Collins said, per ESPN. "I asked him how much faster he was. He said, ‘I’ll show you.’ And I said, ‘OK, good.’ He’ll have the chance. 

"He’s a great kid. And he’s as big a joker as anybody. But I think he’s coming into this camp with a different attitude and a different makeup. There’s something to prove."

The Mets appear willing to offer free-agent shortstop Stephen Drew a one-year contract with a club option, but even if he accepted those terms, the two sides remain apart on the dollar amount, a source told the New York Post.

Also, there appears to be some opposition from inside the organization, as some believe Ruben Tejada will bounce back and essentially become the equivalent of Drew and at a much lower cost.

One major-league talent evaluator believes the Mets' line of thinking is ill-advised.

"They are totally overvaluing Ruben Tejada," the evaluator said. "Especially with all their young pitchers, Drew would be a great addition for the Mets."