MLB Player News

Diaz is hitting .385 (10-for-26) with a double, four RBI, four walks and two runs across 10 Cactus League games.

Diaz's performance at the plate is a welcome sight after the Athletics committed $14.5 million to him through 2024 this offseason. The versatile infielder is one of several veteran signings by an Athletics team in transition, and he should serve as a decent source of power numbers as he fills in across the infield and at designated hitter during the upcoming campaign.

Volpe may be the favorite to make the Opening Day roster as the Yankees' starting shortstop, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

With Isiah Kiner-Falefa transitioning to a utility role, New York's starting shortstop job is a two-way battle between Volpe and Oswald Peraza. Though Volpe was a longshot to break camp with the club coming into the spring, he may now be the favorite for the role as the result of an excellent spring during which he's slashed .333/.460/.667 with two homers, four doubles, three RBI, four stolen bases and a 6:7 BB:K through 37 plate appearances. Peraza is considered the better defender and has put in more time in the minors, but he hasn't looked as good offensively in Grapefruit League play, slashing .227/.370/.409 over 27 plate appearances. Though the position battle is far from decided, Volpe has earned praise from both teammates and management this spring, with team captain Aaron Judge saying of him, "My thing has always been, if you're the best player, it shouldn't matter your age. You should be up helping the New York Yankees."

Shewmake is making a push for Atlanta's starting shortstop job, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Shewmake has an .805 OPS during Grapefruit League play and has impressed the team with his defense at shortstop. He made his fourth start over the last seven games Friday at short, while presumed starter Vaughn Grissom has started just two games over that stretch and has been on the bench for three straight, although he's expected to play Saturday. One of Grissom or Shewmake should be the starter at shortstop for Atlanta and the other will play every day at Triple-A Gwinnett, relegating veteran Orlando Arcia to the bench in either scenario. Shewmake has struggled offensively the last two seasons in the minors, but it sounds like the 2019 first-round pick could be the choice at short if the club prioritizes defense.

One of Vaughn Grissom or Braden Shewmake is expected to open the season as Atlanta's starting shortstop, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports, which would leave Arcia in a bench role.

The veteran infielder began the spring competing with Grissom for the job, but Shewmake's strong defense this spring has pushed him into the mix. Arcia could still see significant playing time this season if whichever youngster begins the season as the starter struggles, but it would likely take injuries or poor performance from both to push him to the top of the depth chart. Arcia slashed .244/.316/.416 in 68 games for Atlanta last season.

Crawford (knee) will resume baseball activities over the weekend, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Crawford has been battling some left knee soreness for the last several days but appears to be making some progress. He should be able to return to Cactus League action sometime next week, and the Giants anticipate him being ready to play shortstop Opening Day.

Castillo (neck) is back in the Diamondbacks' Cactus League lineup Friday versus the Rockies.

He tweaked his neck when he collided with teammate Gerardo Perdomo (chest) on Wednesday, but both players are back in action Friday. Castillo is at second base and batting seventh.

Perdomo (chest) is back in the Diamondbacks' Cactus League lineup Friday against the Rockies.

Pedomo suffered a chest contusion as a result of a collision with Diego Castillo (neck) on Wednesday, but he seems fine. He's playing shortstop and batting ninth against Jose Urena.

Lopez is considered day-to-day due to left groin soreness, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Lopez picked up the injury while playing for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic. He'll be given a couple days off before being re-evaluated. Lopez is competing for a reserve role with the Blue Jays.

Mondesi (knee) will not play in any Grapefruit League games this spring, Red Sox manager Alex Cora told Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic on Friday.

Things had been pointing in that direction for a while now. Cora also added that there remains no timetable for Mondesi's return as he works his way back from last year's ACL tear. The infielder continues to work out and seems to be progressing fine, but fantasy managers should count on him missing at least the first month or so of the season. Christian Arroyo is in line for starts at second base.

DeJong (back) is making progress but there's no timetable for his return to games, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

DeJong is dealing with some lower-back tightness. It's notable that Brendan Donovan has been seeing some action at shortstop lately, which could be an indication the Cardinals think they could need him as a backup there in the event DeJong isn't ready for Opening Day.