MLB Player News

Diaz is likely to see some starts at the shortstop position while Jhonny Peralta is out with a hand injury.

The Cardinals originally planned on having Jedd Gyorko face lefties in a platoon with Kolten Wong at second base. However, with Peralta now out 2-to-3 months, Gyorko will take over as the everyday shortstop and Diaz will receive most of the starts against left-handed pitching. The 25-year-old will hit near the bottom of the lineup when he starts and has no major league experience, making it questionable how valuable he can be for fantasy owners.

Baez is 1-for-4 with one run and one stolen base through two games this spring.

Baez has been getting starts at both center field and first base in an attempt to increase his versatility in order to get him more playing time and improve the Cubs' depth. If Kris Bryant, Addison Russell, or Ben Zobrist were to suffer an injury, Baez would likely be the next man up and receive plenty of starts. The 23-year-old remains a high-upside player who will be a key reserve for the Cubs in 2016.

Baez played first base Friday and handled all of his chances without making an error.

Baez, who singled and stole a base, was making his spring debut at first base after struggling in center field Thursday. If he makes the team, he'll be a backup at every position except catcher and pitcher.

Baez struggled in his start in center field in the Cubs' spring opener Thursday, the team's official site reports.

The Brewers' first three hitters went to Baez, starting with a triple off the wall that Baez had trouble tracking and ending with a dropped fly ball in which he called off the right fielder. It was quite an adventure, but he's still learning the position. He's not going to win the job in camp, but if he can prove he can play center he should make the team.

Baez will start in center field and bat sixth in the Cubs' spring opener Thursday, the team's official site reports.

The Cubs aren't wasting any time getting Baez into center to see if he can handle the position. While he's unlikely to start many games there during the regular season, showing he can play there this spring will go a long way toward his chances of making the team.

Crawford will limit his throwing during spring training to reduce the wear and tear on his shoulder, Alex Pavlovic of CSN Bay Area reports.

The Giants will take a cautious route with their starting shortstop this spring after Crawford reported the same type of throwing soreness he has experienced in years past. As a result, Crawford isn't expected to start playing in the field in exhibition games until next week, according to MLB.com's Chris Haft and it's possible that he'll get routine days off from playing shortstop during the spring until his shoulder soreness subsides. Crawford's shoulder soreness is not a reason for concern for potential owners at this point.

Swanson left early Tuesday with an illness, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Swanson was dealing with a stomach bug, but it doesn't sound as though it's anything too serious. The former number one overall pick is considered day-to-day and could rejoin the club as early as Wednesday's spring training game.

Nationals manager Dusty Baker called Turner a "dynamic player" following Monday's intrasquad game, but also strongly suggested that Danny Espinosa would be his Opening Day shortstop, Jamal Collier of MLB.com reports.

This isn't much of a surprise, although GM Mike Rizzo left the door open for Turner to win the starting job a couple of weeks ago. Even if the 22-year-old begins the season at Triple-A, however, he could remain in the minors only long enough to postpone his eventual free agency by a year before getting the call and pushing Espinosa aside. Despite the fact that he probably won't begin the season on the 25-man roster, Turner remains an intriguing late-round upside play.

Tejada primarily worked at third base Sunday in Mets camp, Adam Rubin of ESPN.com reports.

Tejada saw 18 starts at third in 2015 after an entire career spent in the middle infield. With Asdrubal Cabrera now occupying shortstop and Wilmer Flores still around, the hot corner might be Tejada's best shot at semi-regular playing time, considering Flores hasn't played more than one game at third base since 2010.

Baez worked out in center field during outfield drills Friday, the Cubs' official site reports.

The Cubs have talked a lot already this spring about Baez being a utility player who can play all over the field, including even first base and center, two positions he's never played in the minors (he played one inning at first base with the Cubs last year). He can certainly help his chances of staying with the team if he can play anywhere, but at-bats are going to be difficult to come by with the Cubs seemingly overflowing at many positions.