MLB Player News

Mauricio was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse by the Mets on Saturday.

Mauricio showed impressive power in his time in camp with the Mets with four home runs and a .636 slugging percentage over 35 plate appearances. He also hit .242 with a .286 on-base percentage, which shows there's still work to be done for the 21-year-old infielder. He'll begin the year in Syracuse and could be an option for the Mets if there's a need up the middle in the infield.

Atlanta manager Brian Snitker told reporters Saturday that Shewmake has a chance to win the starting shortstop job out of spring training, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

The starting shortstop gig was assumed to be Vaughn Grissom's coming into the spring camp, but Shewmake's strong defense and a solid start at the plate has made this a competition. "We're going to take one of the two (Shewmake or Grissom) more than likely," Snitker said. "We'll see who we leave with in a couple of weeks." This will be a position battle to monitor over the remainder of spring training, and a decision may not be made until the final days of camp.

Atlanta manager Brian Snitker hinted Saturday that Grissom is not a lock to make the Opening Day roster, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

"We're going to take one of the two (Braden Shewmake or Grissom) more than likely," Snitker said. "We'll see who we leave with in a couple of weeks." Grissom was the presumed starter coming into spring camp, and while he's hit .321 with a .738 OPS in 32 plate appearances, he's had defensive issues, and Shewmake has impressed during Grapefruit League play. There's a good chance Grissom wins the job or is called up early even if he does not, but obviously this has the potential to put a major damper on his fantasy stock heading into the 2023 campaign.

Swanson is just 2-for-25 so far in Cactus League action with 11 strikeouts.

It's been a rough spring for Swanson, who joined the Cubs in the offseason on a seven-year, $177 million deal. Swanson batted .277 for Atlanta last year with 25 home runs, so he should be fine in the long run, though these struggles could carry over into the early part of the regular season as the shortstop gets acclimated to his new surroundings.

Wendle went 1-for-3 with a double in Friday's split-squad game against the Cardinals.

Batting sixth and getting the start at shortstop, Wendle collected only his fourth hit of the spring in 26 at-bats, but three of them have come in his last three games. The 32-year-old has never really held a starting assignment over a full MLB season -- he's topped 500 plate appearances only twice in his career, with his career high being 545 -- and the Marlins' late signing of Jose Iglesias would give them an option at shortstop if Wendle proves he's better suited for a utility role. That said, Wendle hit 11 home runs in 2021 and stole 12 bases in 2022, so he has the skills to be a fantasy asset as a late-round pick if he can keep his starting job.

Shewmake went 2-for-3 with a stolen base in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox.

Getting the start at shortstop and hitting seventh, Shewmake swiped his first bag of the spring on his second attempt. The 25-year-old has put himself in the mix to be Atlanta's Opening Day shortstop with some strong glovework this spring, and he hasn't hurt his case with his bat by going 9-for-27 (.333) with two doubles and a triple, as well as a respectable 2:5 BB:K. Vaughn Grissom has also hit well this spring and offers more upside at the plate, albeit perhaps with shakier defense, so this job battle could come down to the wire in camp.

Shewmake is making a push for Atlanta's starting shortstop job, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Shewmake has an .805 OPS during Grapefruit League play and has impressed the team with his defense at shortstop. He made his fourth start over the last seven games Friday at short, while presumed starter Vaughn Grissom has started just two games over that stretch and has been on the bench for three straight, although he's expected to play Saturday. One of Grissom or Shewmake should be the starter at shortstop for Atlanta and the other will play every day at Triple-A Gwinnett, relegating veteran Orlando Arcia to the bench in either scenario. Shewmake has struggled offensively the last two seasons in the minors, but it sounds like the 2019 first-round pick could be the choice at short if the club prioritizes defense.

One of Vaughn Grissom or Braden Shewmake is expected to open the season as Atlanta's starting shortstop, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports, which would leave Arcia in a bench role.

The veteran infielder began the spring competing with Grissom for the job, but Shewmake's strong defense this spring has pushed him into the mix. Arcia could still see significant playing time this season if whichever youngster begins the season as the starter struggles, but it would likely take injuries or poor performance from both to push him to the top of the depth chart. Arcia slashed .244/.316/.416 in 68 games for Atlanta last season.

Crawford (knee) will resume baseball activities over the weekend, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Crawford has been battling some left knee soreness for the last several days but appears to be making some progress. He should be able to return to Cactus League action sometime next week, and the Giants anticipate him being ready to play shortstop Opening Day.

Castillo (neck) is back in the Diamondbacks' Cactus League lineup Friday versus the Rockies.

He tweaked his neck when he collided with teammate Gerardo Perdomo (chest) on Wednesday, but both players are back in action Friday. Castillo is at second base and batting seventh.