MLB Player News

Shewmake will begin the regular season on the big-league roster, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Shewmake was acquired from Atlanta this offseason and is set to make the roster as a utility option, capable of playing at third base, shortstop and first base. He's had a mediocre spring, though his six stolen bases across 36 at-bats stand out from the rest of his line.

Manager Mark Kotsay said Monday that Hernaiz will be on the Athletics' Opening Day roster, Jason Burke of SI.com reports.

Hernaiz has played well in spring training, slashing .313/.340/.333 with six RBI over 48 at-bats while showing defensive improvement at shortstop and third base. His spot on the Opening Day roster looked to be up in the air after the Athletics signed J.D. Davis on March 15, but Hernaiz will start 2024 in the majors as a versatile infield option.

The Yankees reassigned Smith to minor-league camp on Monday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Smith was in contention for a reserve role because the Yankees lack an ideal backup shortstop, but he ultimately didn't make the cut. The 27-year-old will represent infield depth at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Crawford (hand) took batting practice Monday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

As long as he doesn't experience any lingering effects with the hand injury he suffered just over a week ago, Crawford will return to play in the Cardinals' exhibition finale Tuesday against the Cubs. Assuming health, he's slated to serve as a backup shortstop for the Cards this season.

Reds manager David Bell said that McLain (shoulder) will be evaluated Monday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The specific diagnosis and seriousness of McLain's left shoulder injury remains something of a mystery, but it sounds like more clarity should come later Monday. He's already been ruled out for Opening Day, and Bell had said previously that surgery is potentially on the table for the infielder.

Iglesias is expected to report to Triple-A Syracuse after he said Sunday that he doesn't plan to exercise the opt-out clause in his minor-league deal with the Mets, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

After being informed Saturday that he wouldn't be included on the Mets' Opening Day roster, Iglesias looked like a candidate to request a release that would allow him to sign elsewhere, but he'll instead stick around in the organization a little longer to begin the season. If a promotion to the majors isn't imminent in the first few weeks of the minor-league season, however, Iglesias could change his mind and pursue an opportunity elsewhere.

Tovar agreed to a contract extension with the Rockies on Sunday, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

According to Alvarez-Montes, it's a seven-year deal that's worth up to $84 million. The 22-year-old posted plus-13 defensive runs saved in 153 games as a rookie last season, and he also had a decent showing at the plate with 15 homers, 11 steals, 73 RBI, 79 runs and a .253/.287/.408 slash line.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Sunday that Grissom (groin) is taking batting practice outside and could see game action in 7-to-10 days, Mike Monaco of ESPN reports.

Grissom hasn't played in any games during spring training due to the groin strain, so he'll begin the season on the injured list and continue to build up at the Red Sox's spring complex. The 23-year-old should be ready to join the big club before the end of April.

Seager started at shortstop and went 2-for-2 in Saturday's spring game against the Royals.

Seager made his spring debut, which had been delayed following surgery to repair a sports hernia in January. He played three innings in the field before being replaced by Ezequiel Duran. The shortstop had been taking at-bats recently, and the Rangers were cautiously optimistic that he could get into game action. After the Rangers break camp Sunday, Seager is expected to play both exhibition games against the Red Sox on Monday and Tuesday, per Kennedi Landry of MLB.com.

Volpe is slashing .314/.364/.471 with a home run, three doubles, a triple, five RBI, eight runs, four stolen bases and a 10:4 BB:K over 55 plate appearances in Grapefruit League play.

Volpe was working to flatten his swing early in spring, and that process appears to be paying some dividends. The shortstop slugged 21 homers but batted just .209 with a 27.8 percent strikeout rate and a 37.1 percent flyball rate last season, so his growth as a hitter could depend upon his ability to hit more line drives and sell out for homers less often. Volpe is locked in as New York's starting shortstop after taking home a Gold Glove as a rookie last year, and he has spent some time this spring hitting out of the leadoff spot. There's a path to him opening the campaign in that slot against lefties, especially if DJ LeMahieu (foot) isn't ready to return by Opening Day.