MLB Player News

Diaz batted .167 (4-for-24) with three extra-base hits, three RBI, three runs scored and was hit by two pitches over 11 spring games.

Diaz returns to Houston as the team's utility infielder after he was limited to 69 games due to injuries in 2019. If healthy, Diaz will be the primary backup at all four infield positions and can play left field if needed. He will also be the leading choice for a pinch hitter from the right side of the plate.

Edman's likelihood of receiving ample playing time in both the infield and outfield increased with the release of Yairo Munoz on March 7, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Coming into spring training, Edman was already set to see plenty of action in 2020 after having logged time at second base, third base, shortstop and center field last season. The 24-year-old was highly productive at the plate as well with a .304/.350/.500 line across 92 games, and he hit .237 (9-for-38) with a double, a home run, six RBI, two walks, one stolen base and eight runs across 12 Grapefruit League games before spring training was paused.

Gordon is slated to serve as a backup at both second base and shortstop in the coming season, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

The veteran is set to serve as the elder statesman behind the promising Shed Long and J.P. Crawford at second base and shortstop, respectively. Gordon also logged 53 games in center field back in 2018, so his versatility and solid bat seemingly gives him plenty of job security going into the regular season. Gordon slashed .275/.304/.359 across 117 games in 2019, and he went 6-for-18 with two doubles, one RBI, one walk, two stolen bases and three runs across eight Cactus League games before the pause in play.

Adrianza will enter the season as the backup at shortstop and second base, Patrick Reusse of the Star Tribune reports.

Since joining the Twins, the switch hitter has 99 starts at shortstop, 46 at third base, 16 at first base, 14 at second base, 11 in left field and five in right field. He will reprise a role where he moves all over the place, and may play most regularly as a second baseman when the Twins face a left-handed pitcher -- left-handed hitting Luis Arraez has stark splits and is a weaker defender. Adrianza got off to a slow start last year, but after hitting .120 in his first 21 games, he hit .390 with three home runs over his next 32 contests. While his super utility role is valuable for Minnesota, his fantasy value is limited to deeper AL-only formats.

Velazquez has hit .200/.273/.200 with three stolen bases and one RBI over 23 plate appearances this spring.

Velazquez had a limited sample size during spring training, but he struggled to generate consistency in getting on base while demonstrating his speed when he did manage to appear on the base paths. The 25-year-old is in consideration for a utility role once the season gets underway as a result of his defensive versatility, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports. However, it wouldn't be surprising to see him work in the minors to begin the 2020 campaign so he can develop more consistent production.

Chang was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Thursday.

Chang was in camp competing for a reserve infield spot but won't be winning the job. That would appear to leave Christian Arroyo with a safe grip on a bench role.

Shewmake hit .231/.333/.308 with a double, a walk and two strikeouts in 15 plate appearances before being reassigned to minor-league camp.

This is hardly a knock on Shewmake, who has been in pro ball for less than a year (No. 21 overall pick in 2019). He got a brief taste of Double-A after dominating at Low-A (151 wRC+) and he will likely head back to Mississippi whenever the minor-league season gets underway.

Fletcher is expected to play "just about any position except first base and catcher" this season, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Fletcher played all or part of at least 20 games at four different positions last season, often making in-game defensive position switches. He logged the most time at third base and second base, though his playing time at those spots is likely to be cut down dramatically this season with the signing of Anthony Rendon and the return to health of Tommy La Stella. While Fletcher did not see time in center field in 2019, he played the position for the first time in spring training and could make some appearances there in 2020 if needed. Per Bollinger, Angels manager Joe Maddon views Fletcher as "a Ben Zobrist-type player who can play in both the infield and outfield without any issues." That should enable Maddon to get Fletcher's bat -- and elite contact skills --into the lineup on a near-everyday basis.

Abrams has recovered from a bone bruise in his shoulder and was participating in minor-league camp -- including playing games on the back field of the Padres' spring training complex, per Nick Recchia of FriarLounge -- before camp was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abrams actually made his return to game action in October during the Don Welke Classic, according to Bill Center of FriarWire. The Padres' top prospect missed the end of last season due to the shoulder issue but nonetheless enjoyed a spectacular campaign highlighted by recognition as the MVP of the rookie-level Arizona League.

Mondesi (shoulder) will start at shortstop and bat second in Thursday's Cactus League game against the Mariners, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

The Royals have been pleased with the progress Mondesi has made this spring following his prolonged recovery from October surgery on his left shoulder, so he'll get the green light to enter the spring lineup for the first time. It's worth noting that rain is in the forecast in Arizona in advance of the game's 4:05 p.m. ET start time, so it's possible the contest gets postponed and Mondesi's spring debut is pushed back to Friday. In any case, Mondesi will likely only need to play a handful of games during the Cactus League slate to guarantee his availability for the March 26 regular-season opener.