MLB Player News

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.

Gimenez is 4-for-7 with one home run, one triple and three RBI through three games in spring training.

The 22-year-old was acquired from the Mets in the Francisco Lindor trade during January and is making a strong first impression with his new team. Gimenez is competing for the starting job at shortstop after making his big-league debut in 2020 and delivering a .731 OPS with three homers and eight stolen bases in 132 plate appearances. Amed Rosario, who came to Cleveland in the same trade, is the primary competition at shortstop after posting a career-worst .643 OPS last season. Gimenez's defensive skillset likely gives him a leg up for the starting role, so he should be able to secure the job if he continues to hit well in spring training.

Manager A.J. Hinch said that Short (head) checked out fine after leaving Thursday's spring game against Toronto early due to injury, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Short was evaluated for concussion symptoms after being hit in the head by a pitch Thursday, but Hinch didn't express any concerns regarding his status. It's not yet clear when the 25-year-old will return, but he appears to have avoided a serious injury.

Short left Thursday's game against Toronto after getting hit in the head by a pitch, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Short remained down on one knee briefly before walking off with team trainers. The severity of the injury is not yet clear.

The Red Sox scratched Chavis from their lineup for Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles due to back tightness, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

The injury is likely only a minor concern for Chavis, but he'll still need to move past the back issue quickly if he hopes to build his case for playing time early on during the campaign. With Boston adding Enrique Hernandez, Marwin Gonzalez, Hunter Renfroe and Franchy Cordero during the offseason, Chavis could have to settle for a bench role to begin 2021 following a disappointing 2020 campaign in which he posted a .636 OPS while striking out in 31.6 percent of his 158 plate appearances.

Brujan is starting in center field and batting ninth Wednesday against the Pirates, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

This is further proof that Brujan can play anywhere up the middle for the Rays -- something that could prove critical if he is to break through with the big-league club this year. Fellow prospects Wander Franco and Josh Lowe are starting at shortstop and in right field, respectively.

Hernandez went 1-for-1 with two walks and a solo home run in Tuesday's spring game against Tampa Bay.

Hernandez served as the leadoff hitter for the second time this spring. Red Sox manager Alex Cora believes Hernandez can be a more authoritative hitter, per Ian Browne of MLB.com, and the manager is giving him a good look atop the order early in camp. "I'm going to keep pushing him, challenging him to be better. And if he's up to the challenge and he does his thing, I think he can help us [with] mixing up things and helping me build kind of like the 'perfect lineup','" said Cora. Hernandez can play multiple positions but could serve as the primary starter at second base.

Haggerty (forearm) went 0-for-2 while serving as a backup second baseman Sunday in the Mariners' 5-4 win over the Padres in Cactus League play.

Haggerty wasn't able to finish the 2020 season on the field after being placed on the injured list Sept. 7 with a left forearm strain, but he looks to have made it back to 100 percent health for the start of spring training. The 26-year-old switch-hitter will be vying for a utility role on the Mariners' Opening Day roster.

Hernandez started at shortstop, batted leadoff and went 1-for-2 in Sunday's spring game against the Twins.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora has not yet named a leadoff hitter, but he intends to give Hernandez a chance. "I'm going to challenge him," the manager told Ian Browne of MLB.com. "This is a guy, he can impact the baseball. He can hit extra-base hits. I do believe that there's more there." Hernandez is expected to be Boston's primary second baseman in 2021 but has position versatility to be utilized by Cora.