MLB Player News

Hoerner made his Cactus League debut Tuesday and went 2-for-3 with a double in a 3-2 win over the Royals.

Hoerner is competing with David Bote and Ildemaro Vargas for playing time at second base, so it's important for him to get off to a good start. The 23-year-old probably has the most upside of the three players, but the Cubs may also elect to get him a little more seasoning at the Triple-A level to begin the campaign.

Diaz has been impressive defensively to begin spring training, Jordan McPherson of The Miami Herald reports. "He seems sure of himself," Marlins manager Don Mattingly said after Monday's Grapefruit League game. "Just that confidence and feeling comfortable."

Diaz is battling Jazz Chisholm for the starting job at second base, with the loser expected to begin the season at Triple-A. While Chisholm is perceived to have the higher upside at the plate, the team also views him as its shortstop of the future. If Diaz can shine with his glove this spring while also proving he can make some contributions at the plate, it could be enough to win the job at the keystone.

Rojas (back) will start at shortstop and bat sixth Monday in the Diamondbacks' Cactus League game against the Brewers, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Rojas ended the 2020 season on the injured list due to a bout of lower-back inflammation, but he appears to be back to full strength for spring training. He was used as a reserve in Sunday's Cactus League opener, going hitless across two at-bats in the Diamondbacks' 5-2 loss to the Rockies. Rojas will be one of several players competing this spring for a utility role on Arizona's Opening Day roster.

Marte started at second base, batted leadoff and went 1-for-2 with a run scored in Sunday's spring game against the Rockies.

Marte's position has been the subject of much discussion thus far in camp, and he's expected to see time at both second base and center field. It's unclear if he'll bat leadoff this season, but he will occupy a spot near the top of the order. Last season, he led off 16 games and batted second 29 times.

India made a lot of progress at the Reds' alternate training site last summer, but he didn't get the call to the majors due to an injury, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. "I was ready last year but I got hurt," India said. "It's really not my decision. I just have to play to the best of my ability and what I know I can do. I believe that I am a big leaguer."

India's big problem, even if he tears it up at Triple-A, is that he doesn't have an obvious place to play. He worked at both third and second base last summer, but those spots are blocked by Eugenio Suarez and Mike Moustakas, respectively.

Albies is fully healthy after battling a wrist injury last season, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

While the second baseman officially missed about a month of action in August and September with a bone contusion in his right wrist, unofficially the wrist was an issue for at least a week prior to his placement on the IL. "When you're healthier, everything is easier," Albies said Saturday. "It was just about resting and getting myself back to normal." He was dynamic once he returned to the lineup, slashing .338/.372/.581 with five homers and three steals in the final 18 games of the regular season before going yard twice more in the playoffs. The 24-year-old missed only six games combined over the previous two campaigns, so there's little reason to think Albies can't stay healthy this season and at least return to the level of production he flashed in 2019.

Marte has been fielding grounders at shortstop early in camp, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Nick Ahmed is entrenched at shortstop, but manager Torey Lovullo wants to determine who will back up at shortstop when Ahmed is off. Marte has appeared in 270 games at shortstop in the majors, so this is not about seeing if he can handle the position but rather if others can't handle the job. Other backup candidates to Ahmed include Josh Rojas and Andy Young. Marte is expected to see most of his time at second base or center field this season.

Drury has yet to report to Mets' spring training, Justin Toscano of The Bergen Record reports.

It's unclear why the 28-year-old has yet to join the team in Florida, though it's apparently not related to an injury. Drury signed a minor-league deal with the Mets during the offseason and figures to provide organizational infield depth in 2021.

Frazier is absent from workouts for the second straight day Friday due to a groin injury, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Manager Derek Shelton said Frazier was "a little dinged up" but didn't specify exactly when the injury occurred. This doesn't sound like anything more than normal wear and tear, and he still has more than a month to prepare for Opening Day, so there doesn't seem to be much reason to worry.

Diaz is competing with Jazz Chisholm for the starting second base job in camp, but whoever falls short in the battle will be sent to Triple-A Jacksonville, Andre C. Fernandez of The Miami Herald reports.

The Marlins have Jon Berti on hand in a utility role to back up whichever prospect wins the starting gig at the keystone. Diaz had a rough 2020, playing only seven games between an early opt-out due to COVID-19 concerns and then a strained groin once he re-joined the team, but manager Don Mattingly is confident the 24-year-old can rebound. "I've always liked his swing and he sees the baseball good," Mattingly said Thursday. "He's a strong kid who can use the whole field. He hasn't had the production we think he's capable of. We're looking forward to watching his growth." Miami would certainly prefer it if Diaz seized the job, as it still views Chisholm as the long-term answer at shortstop, but in the short term the team only has room for one of them on the big-league roster.