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Carlos Correa SS | HOU
Astros' Carlos Correa: Cleared for full workouts
Correa fully participated in Wednesday's workout after being cleared for all activities, Jake Kaplan of The Houston Chronicle reports.
Correa had been limited in workouts after having his wisdom teeth removed last week, but manager A.J. Hinch says the slugger is "a full go." Expect the young shortstop to be ready for the Astros' first Grapefruit League game on Saturday.
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Trea Turner SS | PHI
Nationals' Trea Turner: Misses workout for jury duty
Turner skipped Wednesday's team workout because he was summoned for jury duty, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.
Turner understands that even MLB superstars must fulfill their civic obligation, and he shouldn't miss more than a few days as he returns to D.C. Turner, the Nationals' starting shortstop, is coming off a breakout year in which he finished second in NL Rookie of the Year voting.
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Carlos Correa SS | HOU
Astros' Carlos Correa: Takes batting practice in cage Tuesday
Correa (teeth) logged a workout Tuesday and was able to take about 50 swings in the batting cage, MLB.com's Brian McTaggart reports.
Correa's start to spring training was delayed after he had his wisdom teeth removed last week, but his activity Tuesday suggests any lingering pain in his mouth is no longer an issue. The shortstop should soon resume the same workouts as the rest of his teammates and doesn't look to be in any danger of missing the beginning of Grapefruit League play.
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Carlos Correa SS | HOU
Astros' Carlos Correa: Expected to return this week
Correa (teeth) has increased his activity but has yet to resume throwing or hitting, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Correa had his wisdom teeth removed last week and hasn't participated in practice since showing up at spring training. Houston manager A.J. Hinch is hopeful the shortstop can return in the next couple of days.
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Javier Baez SS | DET
Cubs' Javier Baez: Looking for consistency
The Cubs want Baez to be more consistent in the field before he assumes an everyday role at second base, CSN Chicago reports.
As manager Joe Maddon put it, he wants Baez to cut down on the "chrome" and focus on making all the routine plays. Maddon added that Baez "has a flair about his game, so I don't necessarily want to subtract that. But just have him understand the routine stuff has to be made routinely well." The 24-year-old often makes amazing plays in the field, but he's still fairly error-prone at this point (see the two errors he made in Game 7 of the World Series). For Baez to grab an everyday role at second base, he'll have to show more day-to-day consistency.
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Adalberto Mondesi SS | BOS
Royals' Raul Mondesi: In four-way battle for starting job
Mondesi enters camp in a four-way battle for the second base job, The Associated Press reports.
While he is the least proven of the keystone hopefuls in Kansas City, Mondesi is easily the best defender and is most clearly a part of the team's long-term future, as he will likely slide over to shortstop when Alcides Escobar leaves after the 2017 season. If he were to beat out Christian Colon, Cheslor Cuthbert and Whit Merrifield for the starting job, Mondesi would likely post a batting average in the low .200s, but he stole nine bases (on 10 attempts) in 149 plate appearances last year, so he could be a big contributor in that category.
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Xander Bogaerts SS | SD
Red Sox's Xander Bogaerts: Read and react to pitches
Bogaerts' slump during the second half of 2016 was partially due to him making a decision where he wanted to hit the ball before the pitch reached him, Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal reports.
Bogaerts hit just .253/.317/.412/.729 after the All-Star break, though within that stretch there were pockets of a better approach, something that assistant hitting coach Victor Rodriguez pointed out to the shortstop. "You just have to start up the middle," Bogaerts said. "If you start up the middle, you can hit in and away. Sometimes I think too much away, and when they throw me in, all I can do is a little jam shot. If you think middle and keep your body straight, you see it and recognize -- and boom." As much as the 24-year-old shortstop has developed since entering the majors, the last bit of potential that remains untapped is avoiding those annoying prolonged slumps. That will come when he consistently stays back and reacts accordingly to the pitch delivered to him.
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Carlos Correa SS | HOU
Astros' Carlos Correa: Reports to spring training Friday
Correa (teeth) reported to spring training Friday but will not resume baseball activity for a couple of days, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
The star shortstop's arrival to Astros camp was delayed after he had to have his wisdom teeth removed Thursday. Fortunately, it appears Correa will only need a few days to recover before resuming full baseball activity. More updates on Correa will follow once he's ready to return, which will likely come early next week.
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Carlos Correa SS | HOU
Astros' Carlos Correa: Needs rest after teeth removed
Correa (teeth) might be limited for the first few days of Astros spring workouts after having his wisdom teeth removed Thursday according to manager A.J. Hinch, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.
The club still expects him to report on Friday, before the team starts full-squad workouts Saturday. After a brief rest, the elite fantasy shortstop should be ready to go for normal preseason prep.
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Xander Bogaerts SS | SD
Red Sox's Xander Bogaerts: Set to play third base in WBC
Bogaerts is slated to play third base for Team Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic, Eduardo A. Encina of The Baltimore Sun reports.
The Orioles' Jonathan Schoop confirmed it while he said he'd play second base. Bogaerts is no stranger to the hot corner, having logged 53 games there in two big-league seasons. Perhaps there's a modicum of concern for someone playing out of position in this exhibition tournament, but Bogaerts remains a solid top shortstop in a crowded fantasy class.