MLB Player News

Tejada signed a one-year contract with the Cardinals on Saturday, MLB Network's Jon Heyman reports.

Tejada brings much-needed depth to the Cardinals' middle infield with Jhonny Peralta likely out for the first half of the season. He figures to immediately compete with the wildly inconsistent Jedd Gyorko for playing time at shortstop. Tejada's ability to get on base (.338 OBP last season) ought to give him a leg up over Gyorko, who has never had an on-base percentage over .301 in three major league seasons.

Tejada is expected to finalize a deal with the Cardinals on Saturday, MLB.com reports.

Tejada would immediately become the frontrunner for Opening Day shortstop duties in St. Louis. Tejada is a career .255/.330/.323 hitter and would likely hit at the bottom of the order for the Cardinals.

Featherston was assigned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday.

As expected from the outset of camp, Featherston will begin the year in Triple-A, but he could be in line for a call-up later in the season if the Phillies sustain an infield injury or two.

Red Sox manager John Farrell said Bogaerts will go back to third in the batting order for the time being, the Boston Herald reports.

Farrell experimented with Bogaerts batting cleanup for a stretch of games this week, but switched him back to the three-hole Friday. "Chance to get Bogey back in the 3-hole, where maybe he's more comfortable because of the number of at-bats in that spot last year," Farrell said. "We took an opportunity to take a look at (Bogaerts in the 4-hole), but for the time being, he'll be back in the 3-hole."

Featherston is 2-for-20 with a home run this spring.

The Phillies picked up Featherston from the Angels in February. He is expected to open the year at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, but he could see time in the majors this season if the Phillies lose one of their infielders to an injury.

Mondesi started at shortstop and went 1-for-2 in a split squad spring game Friday. He's hitting .360 (9-for-25) this spring.

Mondesi will begin the season in the minors as there's been little talk of him staying with the big league team. He'll likely begin the season at Double-A Northwest Arkansas and could advance rapidly.

Seager (knee) has seen the swelling go down in his knee, and manager Dave Roberts expects him to be ready for Opening Day, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Even if it's not quite on Opening Day, it doesn't sound like it will be much longer. Seager is expected to be the team's regular shortstop, likely hitting somewhere around the six-hole in the lineup.

Swanson was assigned to minor league camp Friday, the Journal-Constitution reports.

As expected, Swanson will begin his rookie season in the minor leagues, though the Braves are yet to announce exactly which level. The No. 1 overall pick is expected to man the shortstop position for multiple levels in 2016, potentially making stops at Double-A Mississippi and Single-A Carolina.

Turner is hitting just .192/.290/.346 through his first 26 spring at-bats, although he is a perfect 4-for-4 on stolen base attempts.

Danny Espinosa is just 2-for-20 this spring, but Turner still isn't doing enough with the bat to put any real pressure on the Nationals to consider him for the starting job at shortstop. Look for him to begin the season at Triple-A, but a callup could come very quickly once Turner's major league service time, as it applies to arbitration or his eventual eligibility for free agency, is no longer a concern.

Baez will be out for a few days with a jammed thumb, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Baez incurred the injury sliding into first base Wednesday. This doesn't appear to be a very serious injury, so he should return to his super-utility role after a few days rest.