MLB Player News

Seager will be playing shortstop exclusively this season, the Dodgers' official site reports.

This isn't exactly a huge surprise, but it's good to get the confirmation early. Seager will be the starting shortstop and Justin Turner will slot in as the everyday third baseman. The 6'4" Seager may shift to third eventually, but it won't be happening this year.

Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale says Ahmed will compete to play short this season, the Arizona Republic reports.

Ahmed played 134 games and collected 459 plate appearances last season, but his grip on a full-time role loosened with the team's recent acquisition of Jean Segura. Ahmed hit just .226 with an anemic .275 on-base percentage in 2015, so Segura figures to be an offensive upgrade, though Ahmed is considered to be the better defensive player.

Anderson should begin the 2016 season at Triple-A Charlotte, but general manager Rick Hahn said Tuesday he would not be surprised to see Anderson make an appearance in the major leagues, the Chicago Tribune reports.

The White Sox's current strategy is to advance Anderson one level each year. Seeing as how he excelled at Double-A last season, Triple-A is the next logical step for 2016. Jimmy Rollins' arrival, and Tyler Saladino's competence, means there is no reason to rush Anderson to the majors to start the year, but there could be mounting pressure to recall him if he hits well in Charlotte.

With Jose Reyes placed on paid administrative leave Tuesday, Story appears in line to see significant reps at shortstop in the early going of spring training.

Reyes' status remains up in the air, as the leave merely buys time for the Commissioner's Office to decide on a suspension in relation to Reyes' offseason domestic violence arrest. However, with Reyes away from the team and the start of Cactus League action nearing, it looks like Story could see the bulk of the work at short, at least to begin the spring slate. Story posted an .863 OPS with 20 homers and 22 steals in 130 games between Double-A and Triple-A last season, earning a spot on the Rockies' 40-man roster. The other shortstop options behind Reyes and Story include Cristhian Adames, Daniel Descalso, and Rafael Ynoa.

Walters (shoulder) will work exclusively in the outfield in spring training, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Walters has been all over the field in his brief big league career, receiving a start in five different positions and as a DH, but it sounds as though manager Terry Francona would like the 26-year-old to have a bit more of a defined role. The switch-hitter had offseason surgery to repair a torn labrum, and though Francona indicated Walters would have no restrictions in the spring, it's unclear if he'll be ready for the start of the season.

Owings, who is competing for the D-backs' starting job at second base this spring, is healthy at the outset of spring training, the Arizona Republic reports.

He started hitting in late December, and is reportedly feeling great now that he's more than a year removed from shoulder surgery. Owings altered the follow-through on his swing last season in order to relieve stress on his shoulder, but his results at the plate (.227 average, 144 strikeouts in 515 at-bats) left plenty to be desired. Brandon Drury and Phil Gosselin will be his primary competition for playing time at second base, while Owings could also be used to spell Jean Segura at shortstop as needed if he's able to regain his stroke at the plate. Prior to suffering the injury in June of 2014, Owings was hitting .280/.323/.444 -- a far cry from the numbers he's delivered in the time since.

Pennington is part of an open competition for the Angels' starting second base job this spring, the Orange County Register reports.

Johnny Giavotella will likely win the job, but manager Mike Scioscia didn't want to anoint him as the starter at the outset of spring training. Pennington is the superior defender, which could ultimately help him make his case for the job if Giavotella scuffles with his glove in the coming weeks. Pennington is a career .245/.313/.344 hitter, so there is little reason to expect him to produce at a significantly better clip at age-31.

Navarro is part of an open competition for the Angels' starting second base job this spring, the Orange County Register reports.

With minor league options remaining, Navarro seems likely to get a taste of Triple-A Salt Lake to begin the season. Johnny Giavotella is the favorite to open 2016 as the starter, but Navarro will have a chance to compete with Cliff Pennington and Gregorio Petit for the job. Navarro posted a .261/.310/.372 line with six homers and four steals in 89 games at Triple-A Norfolk as a 25-year-old last season.

Baez is already working out with outfield coach Doug Dascenzo this spring, Carrie Muskat of the Cubs' official site reports.

Baez has a major league power, but there are holes in his swing and he doesn't quite have a spot to play. The Cubs are hoping he can handle center field and become something of a super sub. How he plays defensively this spring will go a long way toward earning a spot on the roster when the team heads north.

Nationals GM Mike Rizzo said Thursday that he would consider bringing Turner north as the team's starting shortstop if he wins the job in spring training, the Washington Post reports.

The current depth chart has Danny Espinosa at shortstop being backed up by Stephen Drew, with Turner beginning the season at Triple-A, but the 22-year-old is clearly the club's shortstop of the future and will be given a long look this spring. Even if he doesn't break camp on the 25-man roster, however, Turner could still get called up once service time considerations are no longer an issue. If you're looking for help in steals, Turner makes for an intriguing stash.