MLB Player News

Martinez left Sunday's Grapefruit League game after taking an elbow to the head while in the field, MASN Sports reports.

Martinez stayed down for a while before walking off under his own power. This has signs of being a concussion and we should no more within the next day or so. Martinez was trying to make the team as a non-roster invitee, but he was likely destined to begin the season at Double-A or Triple-A.

Sardinas is the favorite to win the Seattle utility job, the Tacoma News Tribune reports.

Sardinas is more versatile than his competition, Chris Taylor and Shawn O'Malley. He plays middle infield and third base, switch hits and is a better pinch-running option. Sardinas also started working this week at center field, where he could potentially serve as a backup to Leonys Martin. Taylor is new to third base, and O'Malley isn't as strong at shortstop. It's Sardinas' job to lose with the other two headed back to Triple-A.

Baez played first base Friday and handled all of his chances without making an error.

Baez, who singled and stole a base, was making his spring debut at first base after struggling in center field Thursday. If he makes the team, he'll be a backup at every position except catcher and pitcher.

Correa made his Grapefruit League debut Friday, going 0-for-2 with a walk and a run scored against the Cardinals.

Correa, who is working on hitting the ball up the middle, said he's seeing ball well, which is all that matters at this point. "The preparation has been there," the 21-year-old said. "I've been very confident in my preparation and just focus on the season. Spring training is to get ready in order to have a great year and help your team eventually win a championship."

Sardinas will spend some time working in center field to enhance his flexibility for the upcoming season, Bob Dutton of The News Tribune reports.

Sardinas has spent the majority of his career as a middle infielder, but will now begin working in center field for the first time in an effort to increase his playing time. The 22-year-old is currently listed as the backup to Robinson Cano at second base and Ketel Marte at shortstop. If he can prove to be a competent outfielder and produce quality at-bats throughout spring training, it would go along ways in his chances to make the big league team.

Baez struggled in his start in center field in the Cubs' spring opener Thursday, the team's official site reports.

The Brewers' first three hitters went to Baez, starting with a triple off the wall that Baez had trouble tracking and ending with a dropped fly ball in which he called off the right fielder. It was quite an adventure, but he's still learning the position. He's not going to win the job in camp, but if he can prove he can play center he should make the team.

Baez will start in center field and bat sixth in the Cubs' spring opener Thursday, the team's official site reports.

The Cubs aren't wasting any time getting Baez into center to see if he can handle the position. While he's unlikely to start many games there during the regular season, showing he can play there this spring will go a long way toward his chances of making the team.

Crawford will limit his throwing during spring training to reduce the wear and tear on his shoulder, Alex Pavlovic of CSN Bay Area reports.

The Giants will take a cautious route with their starting shortstop this spring after Crawford reported the same type of throwing soreness he has experienced in years past. As a result, Crawford isn't expected to start playing in the field in exhibition games until next week, according to MLB.com's Chris Haft and it's possible that he'll get routine days off from playing shortstop during the spring until his shoulder soreness subsides. Crawford's shoulder soreness is not a reason for concern for potential owners at this point.

Swanson left early Tuesday with an illness, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Swanson was dealing with a stomach bug, but it doesn't sound as though it's anything too serious. The former number one overall pick is considered day-to-day and could rejoin the club as early as Wednesday's spring training game.

Nationals manager Dusty Baker called Turner a "dynamic player" following Monday's intrasquad game, but also strongly suggested that Danny Espinosa would be his Opening Day shortstop, Jamal Collier of MLB.com reports.

This isn't much of a surprise, although GM Mike Rizzo left the door open for Turner to win the starting job a couple of weeks ago. Even if the 22-year-old begins the season at Triple-A, however, he could remain in the minors only long enough to postpone his eventual free agency by a year before getting the call and pushing Espinosa aside. Despite the fact that he probably won't begin the season on the 25-man roster, Turner remains an intriguing late-round upside play.