MLB Player News

Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford went 3 for 5 with an RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Padres. He is batting .316 (12 for 38) with a homer and five RBI through 15 spring games.

Crawford hopes to improve over last year, his first full season, when he hit .248 with .304 on-base percentage. Crawford is batting .273 this spring, and he's hitting .321 with a .403 OBP in March. He thinks the improvement is a sign of good things to come.

"I'd like to think it is," said Crawford. "I've hit wherever I've gone in the minors, and I had a good second half last year I'd like to build on. I've really been feeling good, and I've been gaining confidence this spring. I've been in the league a little while, and I think I'm ready to take that next step as a hitter."

With the Diamondbacks trading John McDonald to the Pirates Wednesday, Arizona plans to use a combination of Cliff Pennington and Willie Bloomquist at shortstop this season.

Pennington is batting .225 through 40 Cactus League at-bats, and Willie Bloomquist, who played for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic,i s 9 for 29 (.310) in 10 spring games.

Red Sox top prospect Xander Bogaerts has returned following his appearance with the Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic, reports MLB.com on Tuesday. Boston manager John Farrell confirmed that Bogaerts will remain in big-league camp before getting sent down to the minors. 

"He'll get some reps at short, and possibly third base," said Farrell. "Make no mistake, he's still in our eyes a shortstop and we'll get him a few more at-bats here before he begins his regular season."

Farrell believes the WBC experience will help Bogaerts this season. 

"I think the experience he had with the WBC ... is all positive," Farrell said. "Would we have liked more at-bats? Sure. I think the fact that he played in that environment and on that stage outweighs maybe a few less at-bats he might have otherwise had here. All that being said, we're happy for the experience he went through."

Dodgers shortstop Dee Gordon was held out of workouts Tuesday after suffering a sprained left ankle during Monday's Cactus League game against Arizona, MLB.com reported. Gordon slid awkwardly into home plate but said after the game he was fine before staying on the sideline the next day.

Los Angeles manager Don Mattingly said he is day-to-day. The fleet-footed infielder is projected to begin the season in Triple-A as the team has shifted Hanley Ramirez back to short and Gordon does not play any other position.

The Washington Nationals made another wave of roster cuts Monday and optioned the following players to Triple-A Syracuse: pitchers Ryan Perry, Erik Davis and Yunesky Maya, first baseman Chris Marrero, catcher Jhonatan Solano and outfielder Corey Brown. In addition, the Nationals also reassigned pitcher Ross Ohlendorf and shortstop Zach Walters to their minor-league camp.

The St. Louis Cardinals completed another wave of roster cuts Sunday, optioning second baseman Ryan Jackson and pitcher Keith Butler to Triple-A Memphis. Pitcher John Gast was reassigned to the team's minor-league camp.

Red Sox infielder Pedro Ciriaco was scratched Friday against the Twins due to back spasms, according to the Providence Journal. Ciriaco is listed as day to day. He was replaced by Deven Marrero in the starting lineup.

As expected, Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada, who missed back-to-back games because of a strained quadriceps, returned to the lineup Wednesday against the Cardinals. He went 1 for 3 with a strikeout and is 2 for 6 with a home run this spring.

ESPN reports Mets manager Terry Collins said Tuesday shortstop Ruben Tejada, who missed a second straight game because of a quadriceps strain, is fine and will return to the lineup for Wednesday's spring game.

Mets manager Terry Collins said shortstop Ruben Tejada was scratched from Monday's spring lineup against the Nationals because he felt a "little strain in his quad." Collins, however, doesn't expect Tejada to be sidelined for more than a day or two.