MLB Player News

Polanco (ankle) is batting third as the designated hitter in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

The 26-year-old has been held out through the early portions of spring training while continuing his recovery from right ankle surgery in November, but he appears to be nearing full clearance. Polanco figures to return to the field at shortstop in the near future, but for now he'll stick with hitting and running the bases.

Arauz started at second base and went 1-for-2 with a three-run home run in Thursday's game against the Phillies.

Arauz, who was selected in the Rule 5 draft this winter, is looking for one of the final two bench spots. He's a switch hitter that can play second, third and short, putting him in competition with Tzu -Wei Lin and Marco Hernandez. There's a chance two of those three players will make the team.

Chavis started at second base and went 2-for-2 with a walk and a solo home run in Wednesday's spring game against the Pirates.

Chavis has appeared in three Grapefruit League games, playing both first and second base while going 2-for-7. If healthy, Chavis should find himself in the lineup daily. He showed power in 2019, going deep 18 times in 382 plate appearances, but there were also challenges. He batted just .221 with a .649 OPS over the second half.

Andrus made his Cactus League debut Tuesday, going 0-for-2 with a pair of strikeouts in a game against the Royals.

Andrus was the last of the Rangers' regulars to appear in a spring game. He's coming off a pair of mediocre seasons, and the 31-year-old shortstop needs to change the narrative in 2020. There isn't an in-house candidate ready to step in to replace Andrus, but the Rangers have noted his drop in production.

Lowe (personal) is in the lineup for Tuesday's spring game against the Orioles, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Lowe was excused Monday to tend to his spring training home with a brush fire in the area, but that will be the extent of his absence. He will man second base and hit cleanup in Tuesday's batting order.

Andrus has been taking extra work in live batting practice sessions and the indoor cages, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

Andrus has not yet played a spring game, but there is no injury involved. "I'll play," Andrus said. "Not now but I will get the at-bats that I need to get ready. I'm working hard in the cage on some things I want to do offensively. As soon as I get that done I will play." Texas' starting shortstop was put on notice during the offseason by general manager Jon Daniels after a down season in 2019.

Altuve batted second and went 1-for-2, was hit by a pitch, and knocked in a run during Monday's spring game against the Tigers.

Altuve took a pitch off the foot in the fifth inning and was replaced by a pinch runner, but there was no indication that the HBP did any damage. The entire starting infield made its debut Monday with Altuve hitting ahead of third baseman Alex Bregman, shortstop Carlos Correa and first baseman Yuli Gurriel in the order. The 29-year-old is still one of the best at his position and established a new career high with 31 home runs in 2019. That added power is helpful, but fantasy owners would like to see the old Altuve that stole bases at a healthy clip. He swiped just six bags (11 attempts), his first single-digit season in the category since 2011.

Arraez started at second base and batted leadoff in his first appearance of spring training in Saturday's win over Pittsburgh, going 1-for-3. He is a candidate to lead off this season, manager Rocco Baldelli told the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

It's not clear if the Twins will move Max Kepler out of the leadoff spot after he had a breakout season in the role last year, but Arraez's skillset in making contact and getting on base, along with Kepler's power perhaps being utilized later in the order, could make sense. It's possible the Twins may mix and match their leadoff hitters as well. Either way, Arraez is set to start at second base with the departure of Jonathan Schoop via free agency.

Arroyo (elbow) is in the Indians' lineup for Sunday's spring opener against the Royals.

Arroyo had been sidelined since last June with an elbow injury, but he'll be ready to return to action for the first game of spring training. The 24-year-old was traded to Cleveland in July and could compete for a major-league depth role to begin the season.

Chavis (oblique) is in the lineup for Saturday's spring opener, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Chavis ended last season battling an oblique injury and did not play winter ball as a result. However, he has put the injury behind him and will take the field in Boston's first exhibition game. Chavis will man first base and hit cleanup in Saturday's batting order.