MLB Player News

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."

Terry Collins gave mixed messages about the Mets shortstop situation on Friday. He insisted that Ruben Tejada will compete with Omar Quintanilla for the starting spot, then indicated the former had all but nailed down the position.

"Ruben has rededicated himself," he told his team website. "He's ready to show people he's the starting shortstop."

Tejada did nothing of the kind in 2013. He batted just .202 with no home runs and 10 RBI in 208 at-bats and committed eight errors in limited opportunities, leading some to call for the Mets to sign a free agent such as Stephen Drew.

Cuban acquisition Alex Guerrero is the preseason favorite to start at second base for the Dodgers, but Don Mattingly has set nothing in stone.

"That's just an area it's hard for us to say we can make a decision on that," he told the Orange County Register. "We have to take a look at the combination of guys - what guys look like in camp, could it be a platoon type situation, is one of those guys a utility-type player who can play a lot of second? I just think there's too many questions for us to be able to kind of say, 'I want an every-day guy' and force that."

Dee Gordon and Justin Sellers are also in the mix at that position.

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson once again spoke highly of shortstop Ruben Tejada during an interview with WFAN Tuesday. Alderson was particularly pleased with Tejada’s offseason work, according to ESPN.

"I think given the realistic opportunities at this point, we’re happy as of the first day of spring training," Alderson said about the shortstop position. "That obviously could change over time, during the course of spring-training games and what have you. But I’m optimistic we’re going to see a little bit different Tejada going into this season."

The Mets continue to be linked to free agent shortstop Stephen Drew, but it doesn't sound like Alderson is going to bring in an external candidate to compete with Tejada.

"I think you’ve got to be realistic about that," Alderson said. "Look, we continue to talk to clubs about shortstops that may be out there, available in trade. There aren’t that many. And the price and what you have to give up is always a consideration. But those conversations have continued. 

"It’s just hard to predict what will happen over the next week, two weeks, three weeks. But, in the meantime, Ruben demonstrated a real commitment to getting better by working out in the offseason up in Michigan. I’m anxious to see how that translates on the field."

The Mets have avoided arbitration with shortstop Ruben Tejada by signing him to a one-year deal, the team announced Wednesday. The deal is worth $1.1 million, The Star-Ledger reports.

Tejada is the favorite to start at shortstop for the Mets in 2014 unless another infield option is brought in. He hit .202/.259/.260 with zero home runs and 10 RBI in 208 at-bats last season.

The Mets appear ready to move forward with Ruben Tejada as their starting shortstop, despite Tejada coming off a poor season in 2013. It has been rumored the Mets have shown interest in free agent shortstop Stephen Drew, but it seems unlikely the team will sign him.

"I'd say that trade possibilities -- just with the passage of time and knowing more about various situations -- a trade is probably less likely now," Mets general manager Sandy Alderson told MLB.com. "The same three alternatives exist: sign a free agent, make a trade, or go with what we have subject to probably bringing in a backup to Tejada. I'd say right now, it's probably more likely that we will go with Option C, which is Ruben at shortstop with the addition of a backup."