MLB Player News

DeJong, who went 2-for-3 with a double, a two-run home run, three RBI, a walk and two runs in a 9-5 Grapefruit League win over the Yankees on Wednesday, is now hitting .308 this spring.

DeJong saw a dip in home runs and all three components of his slash line in his sophomore 2018 campaign, despite logging 46 more plate appearances than in his rookie 2017 season. However, there are high hopes for the shortstop going into his third campaign, and his body of work thus far this spring seems to validate that optimism. There have also been rumblings of a possible No. 3 spot in the order for DeJong to open the season, which would lay the groundwork for a potential statistical boost in multiple categories.

Manager Dave Roberts said Seager (illness) would remain away from camp Thursday, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Seager's illness isn't viewed as anything serious, but he'll be quarantined for the day so as not to infect his teammates. If Seager is feeling better Friday, he should be cleared to resume workouts, but the illness is still a less-than-ideal development for a player who entered camp behind the rest of the Dodgers' position players while working back from hip and elbow surgeries. The Dodgers remain optimistic that Seager will be ready to handle an everyday role by the time Opening Day arrives.

Story went 1-for-3 with a double, a stolen base and a run scored Wednesday against the Angels.

All of Story's damage came during his first trip to the plate, as he doubled and stole third before coming in to score on a sacrifice fly from Raimel Tapia. The shortstop's power-speed combo has been on display early in camp; he's 5-for-15 with a pair of extra-base hits and three stolen bases through seven Cactus League games.

Seager is not in camp Wednesday due to an illness, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Fortunately, the absence isn't related to Seager's elbow or hip. He was supposed to play in a "B" game Thursday, though it's unclear if that will happen now. Assuming the shortstop is able to return to game action in the near future, he should still have plenty of time to get up to speed before the start of the season.

Swanson went 1-for-2 with a single and a run scored in Tuesday's game against the Yankees.

Swanson played three innings at shortstop in his Grapefruit League debut Tuesday. According to David O'Brien of The Athletic, manager Brian Snitker wants Swanson to get his "legs under him" before playing back-to-back games, so he'll get Wednesday off before returning to action Friday against the Phillies (Thursday is a scheduled off day for the Braves).

Urena appears to be the favorite to begin the season as the Blue Jays' utility infielder, Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com reports.

Devon Travis' latest knee woes have pushed Lourdes Gurriel Jr. into the starting second base job, opening up a spot for Urena on the bench. Journeyman Eric Sogard is also competing for that role, but since Urena is already on the 40-man roster he has a potentially decisive edge despite his lackluster .257/.311/.341 slash line in 61 career MLB games. Whoever wins it may only stick around until Vlad Guerrero Jr. joins the team, likely in mid-April.

Swanson (wrist) will make his spring debut Tuesday, according to 680 The Fan Atlanta.

Swanson's spring debut will come a few days later than the Braves initially anticipated, but he is finally ready for game action after undergoing offseason wrist surgery. Swanson will play shortstop and hit second in Tuesday's contest.

Seager (elbow/hip) will no longer serve as the designated hitter in a minor-league spring game Monday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Seager was originally scheduled to take four or five at-bats Monday, but it now sounds like he'll do that later in the week. Manager Dave Roberts downplayed the decision to remove the shortstop from the lineup, noting that it was for "no reason other than that we have a B game Thursday and he was going to take some at-bats in that game." Seager, who is recovering from hip and elbow surgeries, has not been cleared to play defense at this point, though he's still expected to be ready for the start of the season.

D'Arnaud (oblique) is a "full go," Jared Sandler of 105.3 The FAN reports.

It sounds like d'Arnaud is back to full health after dealing with a strained left oblique earlier in camp. The veteran is expected to compete for a bench role, though he seems more likely to open the season in the minors given his career wRC+ of 59 at the highest level.

Owings went 1-for-3 with a grand slam, a walk and two runs scored Sunday against Cleveland.

Owings handed the Royals an 8-7 lead in the sixth inning by crushing a grand slam over the left-field wall. The 27-year-old is slated to take on a utility role for Kansas City this season, and his early power surge in spring training games certainly isn't hurting his bid for playing time. Owings has tagged two home runs and driven in five in 17 at-bats.