MLB Player News

Manager David Bell confirmed Monday that India will remain the Reds' leadoff hitter for the 2022 season, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The appointment atop the lineup comes as little surprise after India made all of his starts out of that position in the batting order from June 5 on last season, en route to slashing .269/.376/.459 with 21 home runs, 98 runs, 69 RBI and 12 stolen bases. After dealing away No. 2 starter Sonny Gray to the Twins over the weekend, the Reds could look to embrace a rebuild and deal away more veteran pieces, but the reigning National League Rookie of the Year won't be going anywhere.

Manager Joe Girardi said Sunday that Stott will compete with Didi Gregorius for the starting job at shortstop during spring training, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Stott isn't on the 40-man roster but received an invite to big-league camp, and he'll apparently have a chance to secure a starting job outright. Gregorius is under contract for $14.5 million and should be the favorite to start, but the veteran is coming off a poor season in 2021. The Phillies seem likely to bring up Stott for his major-league debut later in the season, though there's a small chance he unseats Gregorius and opens 2022 as the starter.

Stott was invited to the Phillies' big-league camp Saturday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Stott looks like the shortstop of the future in Philadelphia, as he's coming off a year in which he hit .299/.390/.486 across the three highest levels of the minors before posting a .318/.445/.489 line in the Arizona Fall League. He may not get full consideration to break camp with the team, which could use the fact that he's only played 10 Triple-A games to justify keeping him in the minors long enough to delay his free agency by a year, but he's likely to spend a substantial portion of the season in the majors. He may not be as exciting of a fantasy option as you'd expect given his prospect pedigree, however, as his appeal is based more on the fact that he's roughly average at all facets of his game rather than any one standout tool.

Marte is expected to open the season as Arizona's starting second baseman, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

The wear and tear of playing center field has finally prompted the Diamondbacks to move Marte back to second base, where his career began. That move leaves a gaping hole in the outfield, which could be filled by Daulton Varsho.

Rojas is one of several players that could start at third base in 2022, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Arizona general manager Mike Hazen talked about the possibility of adding a third baseman, particularly one with years of control, back in November, but the lockout-impacted offseason prevented the Diamondbacks from signing or trading for one. The in-house candidates start with Rojas, who enters camp with no restrictions following a November procedure to clean up the AC joint in his left shoudler, per Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. However, the team likes his versatility, which includes experience at all infield positions and corner outfield. Josh VanMeter and Drew Ellis are also in the mix. Shortstop prospect Geraldo Perdomo would have an outside shot at the job, as Nick Ahmed is expected to open at short this season.

Hoerner got added competition for playing time at shortstop in 2022 when the Cubs added Andrelton Simmons on Friday, per Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

Hoerner appeared in 44 games for the Cubs in 2021, slashing a solid .302/.382/.369. Simmons, meanwhile, posted a .223/.283/.274 line with Minnesota. The latter is known for his defensive abilities, but the 24-year-old Hoerner has a definite path to playing time if he can outproduce the veteran at the plate by a significant margin.

Gorman (hamstring) has been a full participant during the Cardinals' minor-league camp and is expected to open the season at Triple-A Memphis, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Gorman missed time during the Arizona Fall League on account of a hamstring injury, denying him an opportunity to build on a promising 2021 campaign split included stops at both Double-A Springfield and Memphis. Between the two affiliates, Gorman hit .279 while demonstrating solid power (25 home runs, 20 doubles), but how soon he arrives in the majors may hinge on him developing into a passable option in the field. A natural third baseman, Gorman transitioned primarily to second base in 2021 as a consequence of the Cardinals signing Nolan Arenado last winter. The keystone remains Gorman's most viable path to a spot on the big-league roster, even though he projects as nothing more than an average defender at the position.

Mathias (shoulder) received medical clearance for all baseball-related workouts in late November and has been a full participant thus far during minor-league spring training, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Heading into 2021, the versatile Mathias was viewed as a candidate for an Opening Day utility role with the Brewers, but those plans were foiled when he injured his throwing shoulder in spring training. He ultimately underwent season-ending surgery May 5 and was outrighted off Milwaukee's 40-man roster in November, but now that he's healthy again, he should get the chance to compete for a job when big-league camp begins once the lockout concludes. The 27-year-old received his first taste of the majors in 2020, when he slashed .278/.278/.361 with four RBI and a stolen base across 36 plate appearances.

Lux could be in line for more playing time next season after commissioner Rob Manfred announced Thursday that the owners had agreed to a universal designated hitter, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Exactly who benefits most from the rule change on each National League team won't become fully clear until the lockout ends and the remaining free agents are signed, but Lux appears to be an obvious candidate for more at-bats. While he's a competent defender who's unlikely to spend much time at the spot himself, he's also the next man up at several positions around the diamond. Unless the Dodgers bring in a dedicated designated hitter once free agency resumes, their roster appears set up to rotate several veterans like Justin Turner, AJ Pollock and Max Muncy (elbow) through the position, with Lux covering for the resting player as needed or perhaps starting the majority of games at second base, freeing up Chris Taylor to bounce around the diamond.

Vivas was added to the Dodgers' 40-man roster Friday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Vivas showed last season that he has one of the best hit tools in the lower levels of the minors, hitting .318/.422/.424 with 13 strikeouts and 13 walks as a 20-year-old at High-A. He is in a pretty crowded organization, but Vivas' stock is trending up.