MLB Player News

Lindor agreed to a 10-year, $341 million contract extension with the Mets on Wednesday. Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The two sides appeared to be at a standstill in talks with Lindor's Opening Day deadline for negotiations fast approaching, but an agreement was reached late Wednesday night. The total value of the contract is $1 million more than the extension signed by Fernando Tatis earlier this offseason, though Lindor's annual value is much higher. According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the contract contains no opt-outs and a partial no-trade clause, so Lindor is essentially locked in with the Mets through his age-38 season. He'll make his debut for New York on Thursday at Washington after posting a .370/.433/.630 slash line over 60 plate appearances during spring training.

Royals manager Mike Matheny said he expects Mondesi to miss "a couple weeks" with the strained right oblique that resulted in the shortstop's placement on the 10-day injured list Wednesday, Josh Vernier of 610 Sports reports.

According to Matheny, Mondesi initially tweaked his oblique in his first at-bat during Monday's Cactus League game, and though he was able to remain in the game, he felt renewed pain Tuesday. The Royals thus decided to put Mondesi on the shelf to begin the season, but given the rough timeline Matheny provided, the 25-year-old appears to be dealing with a low-to-moderate grade strain. Regardless, Mondesi's absence for any length of time is a tough break for fantasy managers, who are likely counting on him to nearly single-handedly propel them to the top of the standings in the stolen-base category. Nicky Lopez is expected to serve as the Royals' primary shortstop for the duration of Mondesi's absence, with Hanser Alberto perhaps serving as a short-side platoon partner at the position.

Chang will start at first base for Thursday's game against the Tigers, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.

Chang should come off the bench against right-handed pitchers this season, but he'll draw the Opening Day start with southpaw Matthew Boyd starting for Detroit. Chang slashed .282/.317/.692 with four home runs and 10 RBI in 18 spring games this year.

Mondesi was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right oblique strain Wednesday.

Mondesi didn't appear to have any limitations to close out Cactus League play this spring, but he's apparently dealing with an oblique issue that will force him to miss time to begin the regular season. Nicky Lopez was recalled from the alternate training site in a corresponding move, and he could fill in at shortstop along with Hauser Alberto while Mondesi is sidelined. Mondesi's placement on the injured list is retroactive to March 30, and it's not yet clear whether the 25-year-old will be forced to miss more than the minimum of 10 days.

Turner is expected to begin the season hitting third in the batting order, Maria Torres of The Athletic reports.

The shortstop spent the majority of 2020 hitting leadoff for the Nats, but this spring, manager Dave Martinez expressed a desire to move Turner into a run-producing spot and has followed through. It's hard to argue the .335/.394/.588 slash line Turner delivered last year doesn't belong in the heart of the order, but the success of the switch will likely depend more on how Victor Robles fares as the team's new table-setter. If Turner does find a new permanent home in the No. 3 spot, hitting behind Juan Soto rather than the bottom of the order should give him a massive boost in RBI opportunities, but it's not yet clear how it might impact his stolen-base total.

Ahmed (knee) fielded groundballs and took regular batting practice Tuesday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Ahmed hasn't played in a game since March 24 and had just 21 spring at-bats, but Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo believes there's a strong possibility the shortstop plays Opening Day. If he's unavailable, Josh Rojas is the most likely fill-in.

Adames, who slugged two solo home runs in a Grapefruit League win over the Orioles on Monday, hit four round trippers in his last six exhibitions.

Adames also wrapped up spring with a four-game hitting streak, as he laced a double in his lone plate appearance during the Rays' Grapefruit League finale against the Tigers on Tuesday. Adam Berry of MLB.com reports the 25-year-old's ramped-up offseason training, which included swing adjustments, seems to be paying dividends at just the right time with Thursday's Opening Day tilt against the Marlins next on tap. "I'm just happy that all that work we put in is going to the field now in the games," Adames said. "It's translated from the cage to the field, and all that makes me feel really good about the work that we put in in the offseason."

The Padres informed Mateo on Monday that he will be included on the Opening Day roster, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

Mateo went just 4-for-28 at the dish during his debut season in the majors in 2020, but he earned his way onto the Opening Day roster after coming through with a .316/.414/.456 slash line and three steals (albeit in six attempts) over 57 at-bats this spring. The 25-year-old's speed and defensive versatility should make him a valuable late-inning bench piece, but he's unlikely to get a look as an everyday player in 2021.

Lindor turned down a 10-year, $325 million contract extension from the Mets, Deesha Thosar of The New York Daily News reports.

The All-Star shortstop had set a deadline of Opening Day to negotiate a new deal with the Mets, and what team sources described as their "best and final offer" fell short of what Lindor was looking for, which is reportedly closer to 12 years and $400 million. While that doesn't necessarily mean he will head elsewhere in 2022, it does mean the Mets will have plenty of competition for his services next offseason. Lindor posted a blistering .370/.433/.630 slash line through 60 plate appearances this spring with four homers and a 6:6 BB:K as he prepares for his first campaign outside of Cleveland.

Swanson (calf) will start at shortstop and bat sixth in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox.

Atlanta manager Brian Snitker suggested that Swanson was scratched from the lineup for Monday's game Boston as a precaution while he managed a sore right calf, and the 27-year-old's return to the lineup a day later seemingly confirms as much. Snitker is rolling out a starting nine Tuesday that would appear to resemble the lineup for Thursday's Opening Day game against the Phillies, so Swanson looks like he'll begin the season batting in the bottom half of the order in most games.