MLB Player News

Biggio is making his way back from a sprained left elbow but will return to game action soon, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.

Biggio suffered the injury over the offseason, but he'll still be able to get close to a full Grapefruit League schedule in if he makes it back soon, so his readiness for Opening Day doesn't appear to be seriously threatened. He lines up as Toronto's primary second baseman, but his grip on the job may not be too firm after he struggled to a .224/.322/.356 line in 79 games last season.

Miller went 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored in Saturday's 11-2 win over the White Sox.

That's an encouraging first spring game for Miller, who enters 2022 as a likely utility man for the Guardians. He struggled through 202 plate appearances last season, posting a .204/.243/.309 slash line with four home runs, 18 RBI, 17 runs scored and two stolen bases. Miller showed promise with a .297/.374/.489 slash line in 48 games with Triple-A Columbus, but he'll likely have to outplay Yu Chang in spring training to see a semi-regular role this year.

Hernandez is expected to be the primary starter in center field after Boston signed Trevor Story on Sunday.

Hernandez was assumed to be the starter in center with Christian Arroyo poised to start at second base until the Story news broke Sunday. The one wrinkle was that if the Red Sox, who were looking to add a right-handed bat, signed an outfielder, they could move Hernandez back to second base. This news seemingly locks in Hernandez as an outfielder. Story has played mostly shortstop during his career but will move to second base, while Xander Bogaerts, the longest-tenured member of the Red Sox and a clubhouse leader, will continue at short.

Arroyo is expected to become a utility infielder following Boston's signing of Trevor Story on Sunday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Arroyo had been projected as the starter at second base up until Sunday's news broke. The 26-year-old also indicated he's willing to take outfield reps to help himself get on the field, per Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican, though it's unclear if the Red Sox plan to play him in the outfield. The signing also appears to lock in Enrique Hernandez in center field. Arroyo has experience at all four infield positions.

Semien went 0-for-2 in Friday's spring game against the Royals.

Semien, one of two major free-agent acquisitions during the offseason, made his Cactus League debut Friday, batting atop the lineup. He was followed in the order by the team's other major free-agent signing, Corey Seager. The Rangers traded their primary leadoff hitter from last season, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, so Semien should be viewed as a leadoff option. He mostly batted first or second for the Blue Jays in 2021.

Andrus (lower leg) is starting at shortstop and batting second in Friday's spring game against the Angels, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Andrus suffered a fractured fibula in late September and required two surgeries to repair the injury, but it appears he's a full go for spring training since he's starting the opener. The veteran shortstop struggled during his first year in Oakland during 2021 with a .243/.294/.320 slash line and three homers, 60 runs, 37 RBI and 12 stolen bases in 146 games.

Arraez started at third base and went 0-for-2 in his spring debut in Thursday's loss to Boston. Arraez is not expected to play in the outfield this season after playing 27 games in left field in 2021, Twins manager Rocco Baldeli told the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Arraez is the leading candidate to start at third base with the trade of Josh Donaldson to the Yankees. However, his role on the Twins could change if the team acquires a veteran shortstop as Gio Urshela could move to the hot corner. Arraez would then move to getting regular duty in a utility role playing multiple infield positions. In any scenario, Arraez feels he's in great shape after losing 11 pounds in offseason workouts with former teammate Nelson Cruz, MLB.com reports.

Manager Terry Francona said Rosario will split time between shortstop and left field this season, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Rosario was primarily a shortstop last season, but Cleveland's prospect pool is deep at that position, whereas there's no clear everyday starter across the outfield yet. In 2021, Rosario slashed a solid .282/.321/.409 with 13 stolen bases, 11 home runs, 57 RBI and 77 runs scored in 141 games while often hitting near the top of the order. Those numbers play better in fantasy as a shortstop, but it was the second-best season of his career, and his .340 BABIP suggests some slight regression may be due.

Merrifield is expected to begin the season as the Royals' primary right fielder, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

Merrifield provided quality defense at second base last season, but the Royals plan on using Adalberto Mondesi at shortstop, which moves Nicky Lopez back to second. This likely won't affect Merrifield's versatility -- he's moved between the infield and outfield with relative ease before and will likely draw some starts in a number of positions this season. The 33-year-old hasn't missed a game in this last three seasons and he's twice logged 40 stolen bases in his career, so he's a quality fantasy option for managers in need of speed.

Lopez is likely to open the season as the Royals' primary second baseman, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

Getting Adalberto Mondesi back on a regular basis, plus the expected arrival of Bobby Witt, gives the Royals a lot of flexibility in the infield. Lopez primarily played shortstop last season with Mondesi battling a number of injuries. It was a breakout season for Lopez -- he slashed .300/.365/.378 with 22 stolen bases, six triples and two home runs in 151 games. With a shift back to the keystone for Lopez, Whit Merrifield would likely take on an everyday role in right field, though his versatility could see him spell a number of players around the diamond.