MLB Player News

Baez will continue to work in center field following the addition of Dexter Fowler and is considered the primary backup to Anthony Rizzo at first base, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Baez's development into a super utility player is unaffected by Fowler's signing as the Cubs are working on maximizing his versatility. Baez will have the opportunity to see playing time at first base, second base, third base, shortstop, and center field throughout the course of the 2016 season, likely leading to more starts and improved fantasy value.

Seager will be playing shortstop exclusively this season, the Dodgers' official site reports.

This isn't exactly a huge surprise, but it's good to get the confirmation early. Seager will be the starting shortstop and Justin Turner will slot in as the everyday third baseman. The 6'4" Seager may shift to third eventually, but it won't be happening this year.

Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale says Ahmed will compete to play short this season, the Arizona Republic reports.

Ahmed played 134 games and collected 459 plate appearances last season, but his grip on a full-time role loosened with the team's recent acquisition of Jean Segura. Ahmed hit just .226 with an anemic .275 on-base percentage in 2015, so Segura figures to be an offensive upgrade, though Ahmed is considered to be the better defensive player.

With Jose Reyes placed on paid administrative leave Tuesday, Story appears in line to see significant reps at shortstop in the early going of spring training.

Reyes' status remains up in the air, as the leave merely buys time for the Commissioner's Office to decide on a suspension in relation to Reyes' offseason domestic violence arrest. However, with Reyes away from the team and the start of Cactus League action nearing, it looks like Story could see the bulk of the work at short, at least to begin the spring slate. Story posted an .863 OPS with 20 homers and 22 steals in 130 games between Double-A and Triple-A last season, earning a spot on the Rockies' 40-man roster. The other shortstop options behind Reyes and Story include Cristhian Adames, Daniel Descalso, and Rafael Ynoa.

Owings, who is competing for the D-backs' starting job at second base this spring, is healthy at the outset of spring training, the Arizona Republic reports.

He started hitting in late December, and is reportedly feeling great now that he's more than a year removed from shoulder surgery. Owings altered the follow-through on his swing last season in order to relieve stress on his shoulder, but his results at the plate (.227 average, 144 strikeouts in 515 at-bats) left plenty to be desired. Brandon Drury and Phil Gosselin will be his primary competition for playing time at second base, while Owings could also be used to spell Jean Segura at shortstop as needed if he's able to regain his stroke at the plate. Prior to suffering the injury in June of 2014, Owings was hitting .280/.323/.444 -- a far cry from the numbers he's delivered in the time since.

Baez is already working out with outfield coach Doug Dascenzo this spring, Carrie Muskat of the Cubs' official site reports.

Baez has a major league power, but there are holes in his swing and he doesn't quite have a spot to play. The Cubs are hoping he can handle center field and become something of a super sub. How he plays defensively this spring will go a long way toward earning a spot on the roster when the team heads north.

Nationals GM Mike Rizzo said Thursday that he would consider bringing Turner north as the team's starting shortstop if he wins the job in spring training, the Washington Post reports.

The current depth chart has Danny Espinosa at shortstop being backed up by Stephen Drew, with Turner beginning the season at Triple-A, but the 22-year-old is clearly the club's shortstop of the future and will be given a long look this spring. Even if he doesn't break camp on the 25-man roster, however, Turner could still get called up once service time considerations are no longer an issue. If you're looking for help in steals, Turner makes for an intriguing stash.

Noonan signed a minor league contract with the Padres on Wednesday that includes an invite to major league spring training, Dennis Lin of the Union-Tribune reports.

The former Giants infielder and San Diego native will be a non-roster invitee for Padres' upcoming spring training, where he'll compete against four other NRI infield candidates in addition to more established players for a spot on the roster. Noonan's left-handed bat would theoretically be a nice addition to the Padres' predominantly right-handed lineup, but the offseason signing of Alexei Ramirez makes Noonan a long shot at making the Opening Day roster.

Herrera received an invitation to spring training Thursday.

Herrera spent another season with High-A Modesto, but considering he only batted .260 last season, he'll likely head back to the minors for more seasoning after spring training.

Featherston was traded to the Phillies for a player to be named later or cash considerations on Wednesday.

In his first MLB season, Featherston hit for a .162/.212/.247 slash line in 101 games last season. After his rapid ascent through the Angels' minor league season, the 25-year-old seemed to hit a ceiling in the majors last year and it will be interesting to see how his role changes with the Phillies.