MLB Player News

Rengifo led off and played left field in Wednesday's Cactus League win over Cleveland, going 1-for-2 with a run and a walk.

Rengifo has now played four different positions during spring training, adding left field to a list that also includes second base, shortstop and third base. The 24-year-old has never seen time at left field in a regular-season major-league game, though he has played the position sporadically as a minor leaguer. While he figures to spend the bulk of his time on the infield this season, Rengifo's expanding versatility further adds to his value on the big-league roster.

Shortcode="annotation" data-id="306" data-text="Tigers" data-canon="Detroit Tigers" data-type="SPORTS_OBJECT_TEAM" data-league-abbreviation="MLB" data-team-abbreviation="DET">Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Wednesday that Short (head) is away from the team due to COVID-19 protocols, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Short had been dealing with a head injury after being hit Thursday, but he checked out fine afterward. Although Hinch didn't provide specifics regarding his COVID-19-related absences, he said that Short didn't violate any rules. It's not yet clear when the shortstop could return.

Chavis still has minor-league options, which could be a factor for the Red Sox as they finalize their Opening Day roster, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Boston is expected to carry just three bench players, including catcher Kevin Plawecki and super-utility man Marwin Gonzalez, who plays both outfield and infield. That leaves Chavis in a battle with Christian Arroyo, who is out of minor-league options. To preserve their organizational depth, the Red Sox may keep Arroyo and stash Chavis at Triple-A Worcester.

Brujan is 2-for-6 with an RBI, a walk and a run over his first four Grapefruit League games.

The versatile 23-year-old has already logged time at second base, shortstop and center field, a testament to the defensive versatility he offers alongside a promising, high-contact bat. Brujan also brings elite speed, racking up 121 steals (129 attempts) across seven minor-league stops from 2016 to 2019. The early success at the plate this spring comes over a very small sample, but it's nevertheless a good start in an area Brujan will presumably have to distinguish himself in to stick on the Opening Day roster.

Lowe went 1-for-3 with a run in Sunday's Grapefruit League loss to the Twins, marking his first hit in four spring games.

A first-time All-Star in 2019, Lowe followed up his strong numbers from that season with a .269/.362/.554 slash, 14 home runs and 37 RBI in the truncated 2020 campaign. He'll once again be counted on as a primary power source in what could be a true breakout season in 2021, but until Sunday, his spring had gotten off to an 0-for-5, three-strikeout start across the first three games.

Kemp, who went 1-for-2 with a solo home run and a walk in a Cactus League tie with the Mariners on Saturday, is now hitting .429 (3-for-7) over his first four spring games.

Kemp has a nice three-game hitting streak going that also includes a double, three walks and a stolen base in addition to Saturday's solo shot. The 29-year-old never left the yard in 114 plate appearances last season, but he'd slugged a combined 14 homers over the previous two seasons while logging part-time duty with the Cubs and Astros. Kemp is likely to operate in a platoon with Chad Pinder and/or Jed Lowrie (knee) at second base during the 2021 season, but Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports the veteran is also candidate to see some time in the outfield against right-handed pitchers.

Andrus went 1-for-3 with a double in a Cactus League loss to the Angels on Friday, his first hit in three spring games.

The veteran infielder also stranded five men overall, but he at least got on the board with his first official hit in an Athletics uniform. Andrus does have an extensive big-league track record as a solid offensive contributor, but he has some questions to answer at the plate after generating a career-worst .194 average and .252 on-base percentage across 111 plate appearances with the Rangers in an injury-marred 2020. Oakland is counting on Andrus to enjoy a resurgent season with the bat while serving as the departed Marcus Semien's replacement at shortstop.

Haggerty, competing for a utility role on the Opening Day roster, went 2-for-2 with a triple and a stolen base in a Cactus League tie with the White Sox on Friday.

Haggerty pulled his spring average up to .375 (3-for-8) with Friday's impressive showing, as the 26-year-old has gotten his bid for a roster spot off to a good start. Haggerty's considerable defensive flexibility -- he's played every position except pitcher, catcher and first base in a professional career that dates back to 2015 -- already gives him a strong chance at sticking, and his early spring work with the bat following a solid .260/.315/.400 line across 54 big-league plate appearances last season only strengthens his case for the time being.

Arroyo started at second base and went 1-for-2 and was caught stealing in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays.

This was Arroyo's fourth spring game and second start at second base. He also started two contests at shortstop. He's on the roster bubble, competing for what appears to be the final spot with Michael Chavis. The Red Sox may carry 14 pitchers to open the season, which would leave just three bench spots, including catcher Kevin Plawecki and super-utility Marwin Gonzalez. In 14 games for Boston in 2020, Arroyo slashed .240/.296/.440 with three home runs and eight RBI.

Chavis (back) entered Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays as a reserve and belted a two-run home run.

Chavis was scratched from Thursday's contest but continued his quest for a roster spot Friday. His seventh-inning home run, which made up for a fielding error at first base in the sixth inning, was his second of the spring. Utility infielder Christian Arroyo is viewed as his primary competition for a roster spot. The Red Sox are considering carrying 14 pitchers with three bench spots allotted to fielders, so versatility is key. One of those three will be backup catcher Kevin Plawecki and another will be the super-utility Marwin Gonzalez.