MLB Player News

Mateo is slashing .393/.500/.571 this spring with four extra-base hits, six RBI and two stolen bases as he vies for one of the Padres' final Opening Day roster spots.

Mateo has been mentioned as a candidate to back up Trent Grisham in center field, and that need has become more pressing with Grisham currently out with a Grade 1 hamstring strain. The injury is thought to be minor, but it highlights the desirability of a player with positional flexibility. Mateo logged time at every outfield position and at second base with the Padres last season, and he's also played shortstop in the minors. Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune points out Mateo's considerable speed and lack of minor-league options as additional factors that could help him garner a roster spot. The 25-year-old struggled with a .154/.185/.269 slash line in his first stint as a major-leaguer last season, but it's possible that some of his troubles were linked to a bout with COVID-19 that resulted in Mateo missing most of summer camp. He appears healthy heading into the 2021 campaign.

Adrianza could be in the lead to win the final spot on Atlanta's bench to begin the season, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Johan Camargo has one utility-infield job locked down, but Adrianza could be fighting with Jason Kipnis for a second spot. Adrianza has plenty of advantages in that battle however; he offers more defensive flexibility, he's a switch hitter, and he's having a strong spring at the plate, hitting .333 (5-for-15) with a double, a homer and a 5:3 BB:K. Both player are non-roster invitees, but no one on Atlanta's 40-man roster seems like a better fit for the assignment. Adrianza had a poor 2020, but he posted a career-high .765 OPS over 234 plate appearances for the Twins the season before.

The Diamondbacks optioned Perdomo to Triple-A Reno on Tuesday.

Arizona's top middle-infield prospect is expected to spend the majority of the 2021 campaign at Triple-A after having lost out on some critical development time in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor-league season. The 21-year-old shortstop showcased impressive plate discipline and good speed during his stint in the California League in 2019, posting a .407 on-base percentage and 1.27 BB/K while stealing six bags for High-A Visalia.

Ahmed (knee) was scratched from the lineup for Tuesday's game against Oakland.

Ahmed had been set to play for the first time in 10 days after missing time with a sore right knee. It's unclear whether he's suffered a setback or the team simply believes another day of rest will do him some good. Josh Rojas slides to shortstop in his absence, with Domingo Leyba entering the lineup at second base.

Ahmed (knee) will start at shortstop and bat sixth in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Athletics.

After taking live batting practice Monday without aggravating his sore right knee, Ahmed will draw back into the lineup for the first time since March 6. Since he only missed about a week of game action while recovering from the injury, Ahmed should be capable of filling a full-time role in the Arizona infield when the regular season begins April 1.

Seager is slashing .478/.571/1.130 with five home runs, 11 RBI and eight runs scored in 11 games this spring.

The reigning NLCS and World Series MVP has picked up where he left off last October, leading all players in RBI this spring and tying for the league lead with five homers. He was a Statcast darling last season, ranking in the 95th percentile and above in barrel rate, xBA, xSLG, exit velocity and hard-hit rate, and his showing so far this spring suggests that Seager could be lined up for another highly productive campaign in 2021.

Ahmed (knee) took at-bats Monday against teammate Luke Weaver at the Diamondbacks' spring facility, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Ahmed hasn't appeared in any Cactus League games since March 6 due to a sore right knee, but his activity Monday would seem to hint that he could soon rejoin the Diamondbacks' spring lineup. Since Opening Day is still two weeks away, Ahmed still has sufficient time to get up to full speed.

Marcano started in center field Sunday against the Reds and went 0-for-2 with a walk and a run. He has also played right field, left field, second base, third base and shortstop this spring.

In addition to playing all over the field, Marcano has also been getting it done at the plate, slashing .368/.429/.632 with a home run and three RBI. The 21-year-old isn't likely to break camp with the club, but he is certainly turning heads in the organization. Marcano hasn't logged time in the outfield thus far in his minor-league career, but he has played over 40 games at three different infield positions (second base, shortstop and third base).

Cruz went 0-for-1 with a walk and run scored in Sunday's loss to Philadelphia.

He has just one hit and two walks in 19 spring at-bats. Despite talks of moving the 22-year-old to the outfield, Cruz has primarily played shortstop on defense this spring, making only two appearances in center field. He's likely ticketed for Triple-A Indianapolis in an effort to gain experience in the upper minors before potentially making his MLB debut later this summer.

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said the earliest Ahmed (knee) could return to action is Monday, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Lovullo was hopeful that Ahmed could play Friday, but the team decided to give the shortstop a few extra days to test his right knee before playing in a game. Ahmed said the condition improves daily and did not sound too concerned about it. Josh Rojas has been the primary fill-in at shortstop.