MLB Player News

Manager Andy Green announced that Sardinas is no longer is the running for the Padres' starting shortstop gig, The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The 23-year-old was given every opportunity to seize the job this spring, but his constant struggles at the plate (.184 in 38 at-bats) have cost him the opportunity to serve as the Padres' starting shortstop. Sardinas will now compete for a utility role and can safely be ignored in almost all fantasy formats.

Owings is still battling with Nick Ahmed and Ketel Marte for the starting shortstop role, Adam Green of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM reports.

Owings is looking like the frontrunner for the position at this point in the spring, as he is outperforming both of his counterparts at the plate. The 25-year-old is 17-for-41 (.415) so far, while Marte is 11-for-41 (.268) and Ahmed is 10-for-45 (.222). There is still time for each individual to make their case, but time is running out as manager Torey Lovullo is looking to lock in a starting lineup within the next week. "We're going to put the best shortstop out there that's going to help us win games, bottom line," Lovullo said. "That competition is still running thick, so we're going to try to figure that out here in the coming week."

Seager (oblique) is scheduled to work seven innings at shortstop Saturday in a minor league game and is likely to return to the Dodgers after that, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

There wasn't any initial clarification about whether this replaces or adds to his initially scheduled Friday efforts in a minor league outing. Either way, the fact they're projecting Seager to rejoin the big club soon marks a positive step for the highly coveted fantasy shortstop.

Seager (oblique) will hit and play four or five innings at shortstop in Friday's minor league game, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports.

After appearing in Tuesday's minor league game as DH, Seager is now scheduled to return to shortstop for the first time since injuring his oblique. This is encouraging, as the 22-year-old has been sidelined for most of March with the issue. It will be close, but barring any setbacks in the field on Friday, he still has time to be ready for Opening Day.

Crawford went 1-for-5 with a pair of RBI in Team United States' win over Team Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic Championship on Wednesday.

The slugging shortstop shone on March's biggest stage, slashing .385/.429/.577 with six RBI while playing for his country. Crawford will now reunite with his Giants teammates in Arizona to close out the final weeks of spring training. Barring injury, the 30-year-old will serve as the club's everyday shortstop, providing a little pop and solid counting stats for his position.

Cecchini was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday, Marc Carig of Newsday reports.

Cecchini was in the conversation for a utility role with the Mets, but he and Matt Reynolds, who was also cut Wednesday, were always believed to be firmly behind Wilmer Flores and T.J. Rivera for those duties. The 23-year-old will now prep for a second straight season at Las Vegas, where he slashed .325/.390/.448 in 2016.

Seager (oblique) said he felt no discomfort in his side while serving as DH in Tuesday's minor league contest, Eric Stephen of SB Nation reports,

Seager went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts, but the fact that he got through three at-bats without any discomfort is the bigger takeaway. He'll take off Wednesday before he progresses to five innings of work at shortstop in Thursday's minor league game. The Dodgers will continue to be cautious with the 22-year-old, but if he is able to avoid any setbacks through the rest of spring, he should have enough time to be ready for Opening Day.

Seager (oblique) will serve as DH in Tuesday's minor league game but will not take the field, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Seager was set to play three innings at shortstop to go along with his at-bats, but the Dodgers will continue to take it slow with him. If all goes well Tuesday, he is scheduled to play five innings on Thursday and could return to the field later in the week. The 22-year-old still has enough time to get ready for Opening Day, but it's looking like it will be a close call.

Seager (oblique) will get three at-bats and play three innings at shortstop in Tuesday's minor league game, SB Nation's Eric Stephen reports.

It was originally reported that he would DH in the game, but the fact that he will also get action at shortstop is an encouraging sign. If all goes well, he will progress to five innings in the field on Thursday, presumably still on the minor league side, MLB.com's Ken Gurnick reports. Seager still has enough time to be ready for Opening Day.

Seager (oblique) is expected to DH in a minor league game Tuesday, AM 570's David Vassegh reports.

The Dodgers said last week that they believe their star shortstop has enough time to be ready by Opening Day, but it's looking like it will be a close call. He will presumably progress to taking the field in a game later this week if he avoids setbacks. Enrique Hernandez or Chris Taylor would likely fill in at shortstop at the start of the season if Seager is not ready.