MLB Player News

Adrianza has been logging innings at first and third base, giving him a better shot to make the Opening Day roster.

Adrianza - who is naturally a middle infielder - got the start at first base Saturday after entering Friday's contest at third. The notion is that Kelby Tomlinson will be the primary backup middle infielder come Opening Day, but Adrianza is increasing his chances of also making the roster by showing that he can play the corners. He is a glove-first infielder, so he won't have much fantasy value even if he does make the cut.

Baez (thumb) will return to the lineup Saturday against Cleveland, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

A head-first slide into first base Wednesday left Baez with a jammed thumb, but he's made a quick turnaround. Baez has been getting reps at first base, second, shortstop and center field this spring, increasing his defensive versatility in hopes of securing a super-utility role out of camp. He is 6-for-27 with one double, one homer, one walk and eight strikeouts so far in Cactus League play.

Tejada signed a one-year contract with the Cardinals on Saturday, MLB Network's Jon Heyman reports.

Tejada brings much-needed depth to the Cardinals' middle infield with Jhonny Peralta likely out for the first half of the season. He figures to immediately compete with the wildly inconsistent Jedd Gyorko for playing time at shortstop. Tejada's ability to get on base (.338 OBP last season) ought to give him a leg up over Gyorko, who has never had an on-base percentage over .301 in three major league seasons.

Featherston was assigned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday.

As expected from the outset of camp, Featherston will begin the year in Triple-A, but he could be in line for a call-up later in the season if the Phillies sustain an infield injury or two.

Featherston is 2-for-20 with a home run this spring.

The Phillies picked up Featherston from the Angels in February. He is expected to open the year at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, but he could see time in the majors this season if the Phillies lose one of their infielders to an injury.

Seager (knee) has seen the swelling go down in his knee, and manager Dave Roberts expects him to be ready for Opening Day, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Even if it's not quite on Opening Day, it doesn't sound like it will be much longer. Seager is expected to be the team's regular shortstop, likely hitting somewhere around the six-hole in the lineup.

Swanson was assigned to minor league camp Friday, the Journal-Constitution reports.

As expected, Swanson will begin his rookie season in the minor leagues, though the Braves are yet to announce exactly which level. The No. 1 overall pick is expected to man the shortstop position for multiple levels in 2016, potentially making stops at Double-A Mississippi and Single-A Carolina.

Turner is hitting just .192/.290/.346 through his first 26 spring at-bats, although he is a perfect 4-for-4 on stolen base attempts.

Danny Espinosa is just 2-for-20 this spring, but Turner still isn't doing enough with the bat to put any real pressure on the Nationals to consider him for the starting job at shortstop. Look for him to begin the season at Triple-A, but a callup could come very quickly once Turner's major league service time, as it applies to arbitration or his eventual eligibility for free agency, is no longer a concern.

Baez will be out for a few days with a jammed thumb, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Baez incurred the injury sliding into first base Wednesday. This doesn't appear to be a very serious injury, so he should return to his super-utility role after a few days rest.

Anna went 1-2 with an RBI in Wednesday's spring training matchup with Atlanta.

Anna has had 10 at-bats this spring, scoring four runs and stealing two bases. The 29-year-old shortstop only has 23 career at-bats in the majors, compiling a .136 average during that time. Seeing as how the Cardinals have three shortstops ahead of Anna on their depth chart, he will likely start the 2016 season at Triple-A Memphis where he left off last season.