MLB Player News

The Mets may open the season with Ruben Tejada at short, according to ESPN.com.

Tejada was injured for most of the season, and there were reports about some bad blood over the team's handling of the injury. While the Mets may have explored trades for shortstops, that doesn't seem likely at this point. Tejada hit .202/.259/.260 in 208 at-bats. 

ESPN.com reports that Ruben Tejada is increasingly likely to emerge as the Mets' starting shortstop out of spring training. General manager Sandy Alderson acknowledged he has looked into trading for a shortstop this offseason, but conceded he has not found a deal that would improve the club overall.

Alderson also cited the progress made by Tejada during a recent four-week fitness program near Ann Arbor, Mich., though he is still working his way back from the broken right fibula he sustained last September.

Mets infielder Ruben Tejada is considering filing a grievance against the Mets that accuses the team of short-changing Tejada one day of service time in order to delay his free agency one year, Yahoo! Sports reports.

Tejada was recalled from the minors Sept. 10, later than all the team's other September call-ups. The result was that Tejada finished the season with two years, 171 days of service time, one day less than what's considered three full years. As is stands, he wouldn't reach free agency until after the 2017 season; however, if he does file the grievance and is awarded the extra day of service time, he'll be a free agent after the 2016 season.

Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers expects Chris Owings and Didi Gregorius to compete for the starting shortstop job in 2014, MLB.com reports.

"Let them fight it out. We like both of them a lot," Towers said. "I love the competition in Spring Training. ... Just because Didi was there all year, I don't want him to think he's the everyday shortstop."

Gregorius hit .252/.332/.373 with seven home runs and 28 RBI in 357 at-bats with the Diamondbacks in 2013, whiel Owings hit .291/.361/.382 with no home runs and five RBI in 55 at-bats in the majors.

Dodgers shortstop Dee Gordon is being listed as an outfielder for his team in the Dominican Winter League, the Los Angeles Times reports Tuesday. Gordon is playing some outfield for Tigres del Licey. 

Gordon took some fly balls in pre-game drills late in the season with the Dodgers this season. It is unclear at this time whether or not the team is realistically considering a position switch for the middle infielder. 

Gordon hit just .234 last season over 94 at-bats with 10 stolen bases. He's hit just .256 over parts of three seasons with the team. 

Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada is progressing well in his recovery from a broken fibula, according to Newsday.

Tejada is on pace to be ready in six-to-eight weeks, which was the initial diagnosis. Tejada was injured in mid-September after a collision on a shallow fly ball. Tejada hit just .202 in 208 at-bats.  

Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford suffered an injured oblique in Sunday's win over San Diego and will undergo an MRI Tuesday, CSN San Francisco reports. Crawford is expected to be ready for spring training.

Diamondbacks rookie shortstop Chris Owings will likely see some playing time at second base over the remainder of the season, MLB.com reports. The team could be looking to see if Owings can function as a regular second baseman with the intention of having both he and Didi Gregorius on the field regularly in 2014.

"I've been taking ground balls over there," Owings told MLB.com Friday. "Whenever he decides to play me over there, I'll be ready."

Owings, a natural shortstop, played 11 games at second base in the minors this season.

Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada is facing an important offseason, according to the Star-Ledger. 

Manager Terry Collins said Tejada would likely be the team's starting shortstop next season depending on how hard he works. Tejada broke his fibula, which will put him out of action for a while. He struggled through the season, dealing with injuries and a prolonged stint in the minors. 

Tejada hit .202 in 208 at-bats. 

Nationals manager Davey Johnson indicated that infielder Zach Walters has a chance to make the team next season, MASN.com reports.

"At some point I would like to see more (of Walters)," Johnson said. "He has three quality at-bats up here. He had a good year down there. He is young. But he can play all positions in the infield and he to me is a guy you need to look at to be a part of this club next year."

Walters hit .253/.286/.517 with 29 home runs and 77 RBI in 487 at-bats for Triple-A Syracuse during his age-23 season.