MLB Player News

Let's see ... Hanley Ramirez jams his shoulder Sunday, and the Dodgers recall shortstop Dee Gordon from Triple-A Albuquerque Monday. That's not much of a brain teaser, is it?

Though Ramirez has yet to go on the DL, the Dodgers are clearly preparing for that possibility, which is good news for the Fantasy owners who have lost either Everth Cabrera or Jhonny Peralta to suspension.

Especially those who lost Cabrera. Stolen bases are exactly what Gordon brings to the table.

Of course, to deliver them, he'll need to hit a little, and recent history shows that's easier said than done. But he did hit .307 with an impressive 47 walks to only 58 strikeouts in 322 at-bats at Triple-A Albuquerque, and he was on a 17-game hitting streak at the time of his promotion.

I'm not saying you prioritize Gordon over Brad Miller or Junior Lake if you need a shortstop, but he's no worse than Jonathan Villar.

The Dodgers recalled shortstop Dee Gordon from Triple-A Alburquerque Monday. Gordon hit .175 with one home run and five RBI in 19 games earlier this season with the Dodgers.

Red Sox manager John Farrell said Wednesday infield prospect Xander Bogaerts is "in the discussion" as a solution at third base, according to the Boston Herald. However, his promotion to the majors doesn't appear imminent.

The Red Sox made the bold move to trade infielder Jose Iglesias to Detroit, freeing up a path to the majors for for highly touted prospect Xander Bogaerts. Although Brock Holt is being recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket to take Iglesias' roster spot, it shouldn't be too much longer before Bogaerts gets his chance.

With Stephen Drew blocking Bogaerts' path at shortstop, the 20-year-old infielder has started to takes reps at third base. Thus far, the results have been positive. Bogaerts hasn't committed an error in seven chances at third base for Pawtucket. But he's still learning the position and while his offensive game might be major-league ready, the Red Sox can't afford to have a defensive liability at third base during a pennant race.

Still, even if Bogaerts spends most of August in the minors, he's likely to be summoned to the majors when rosters expand Sept. 1. Bogaerts can help Boston down the stretch, so it would be more shocking if he isn't called up this season.

The attentive owner who needs help at third base is going after the Phillies' Cody Asche right now, but the clever one is going after the Red Sox's Xander Bogaerts.

Anyone who needs help at shortstop might want to jump on that bandwagon as well. After all, that's the position Bogaerts has played throughout his minor-league career and projects to play long-term. But lately, he's been playing third base, where the Red Sox have a need in the majors right now. And according to the Boston Globe, manager John Farrell isn't exactly shooting down the possibility of him joining the big club, "whether that's this week or next month."

Bogaerts is only 20, so who knows if he's really ready? But he has stormed up the minor-league ladder this year and has the potential to be a Hanley Ramirez-type hitter. He doesn't run like Ramirez, mind you, but you can't have everything.

I'll take that over Asche.

Mets manager Terry Collins said Monday infielders Ruben Tejada and Jordany Valdespin will likely be September call-ups unless there is an injury. Collins said there is no room right now since having a six-man rotation is important.

Tejada and Valdespin have both been successful since being demoted to Triple-A Las Vegas. Tejada is batting .337 in 24 games, while Valdespin is batting .500 with an .818 slugging percentage and 21 RBI in 11 games since being demoted.

Red Sox infield prospect Xander Bogaerts could be quietly getting himself prepared for a potential call up to man third base for Boston down the stretch. Bogaerts made his fifth start at third base for Triple-A Pawtucket Monday night, the Boston Globe reports. 

The 20-year-old Bogaerts, who entered the season as the No. 8 prospect in the majors, according to Baseball America, is batting .273 on the year at Triple-A over 143 at-bats after a promotion from Double-A Portland earlier in the season. Bogaerts is batting .306 over his last 10 games with Pawtucket. 

"Xander's doing everything that he can to tell us when he's ready to come to the big leagues," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "Whether that's this week or next month, that's still in the debate or in the conversation. But it's an exciting young player. We're all looking forward to the day he begins his career, not knowing when that's going to be. There's still some things that are a work in progress for him defensively. Any time you go up against more veteran and accomplished pitching, that's going to be another adjustment on his part. He's a pretty exciting player."

Mets infielder Ruben Tejada declared himself "ready" to return Tuesday, but his manager was less sure, according to the New York Daily News.

Though Tejada is hitting .400 over his last 10 games, Terry Collins isn't impressed. "He’s swinging better, he’s getting the ball out in the air a little bit more, but not to the satisfaction of people that are watching him," Collins said.

Tejada hit .209/.267/.262 in 187 at-bats. 

Mets manager Terry Collins said Tuesday the team has been told shortstop Ruben Tejada is "ready" for a recall. Tejada is batting .315 with five doubles, seven RBI and 15 runs in 18 games since his demotion to Triple-A Las Vegas.

"We’ve been told, 'If you need him, he’s ready to play,'" Collins said.

Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford returned to action Sunday afternoon against the Diamondbacks after missing Saturday's game with a bruised left foot.

Crawford finished 1 for 3 with a walk and an infield single in a 3-1 loss. He has a .269/.331/.381 line with five homers and 30 RBI in 320 at-bats.