MLB Player News

Hernandez went 4-for-5 with a solo home run, five RBI and two runs scored during Thursday's win against the Giants.

Hernandez got the Dodgers on the board with an RBI single in the fourth inning off Johnny Cueto. He later extended the Dodgers' lead with a two-run single off Tyler Rogers in the seventh before smacking his first homer of the season with a solo shot off Conner Menez. The 28-year-old, who hit 17 long balls across 130 games last year, was named the starting second baseman for Opening Day following the demotion of Gavin Lux this week and is expected to share duties with Chris Taylor.

Manager Dave Roberts said in an appearance Thursday on the "Off Air with Joe and Orel" podcast that Hernandez will start at second base in the Dodgers' Opening Day game against the Giants, Eric Stephen of TrueBlueLA.com reports.

Following the surprise demotion of Gavin Lux earlier this week, the Dodgers' plans for the everyday second base job aren't fully known, but Hernandez looks poised to get the first chance to handle the keystone. Chris Taylor should get opportunities at second base, too, but since both he and Hernandez are right-handed hitters, a pure platoon arrangement won't be an option.

Wong was designated for assignment by the Giants on Thursday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

The Giants scooped Wong off waivers in November, though the infielder was never expected to open the season with the big club. He should report to the team's alternative came site if he passes through waivers untouched.

The Mets named Gimenez to their Opening Day roster Thursday. Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

In a surprise move, the 21-year-old will bypass the Triple-A level entirely and open the 60-game season with the big club as a reserve infielder. Expect Gimenez to serve as the top backup at shortstop and second base behind Amed Rosario and Robinson Cano, a role that may only translate to a couple starts per week. Gimenez may provide most of his impact as a late-inning defensive replacement or as a pinch runner, given his above-average speed.

Rodgers was optioned to the Rockies' alternate training site Wednesday.

Rodgers was expected to make the Rockies' major-league roster to begin the season, but he'll instead head to alternate camp ahead of Opening Day on Friday. The 23-year-old completed his rehab from the shoulder surgery that he underwent last June and should be the Rockies' top option to fill in if middle infield help is needed. The highly rated prospect's major-league debut last year didn't go as planned, as he hit .224/.272/.250 with seven RBI and 27 strikeouts over 25 games before his season was cut short with a torn labrum.

Chicago manager David Ross said Hoerner could be an option to play in center field this season if a need arises, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Albert Almora, Ian Happ and Jason Heyward are the most likely candidates for playing time in center, but Ross acknowledged that the team will need "to be prepared for anything this season." Hoerner saw a little action in center with Double-A Tennessee last season, though he did primarily play in the infield both for the Smokies and the Cubs. He's expected to split second base duties with Jason Kipnis in Chicago this season.

General manager David Stearns said Urias (illness) will need 2-to-3 weeks to get up to speed once he's cleared all health protocols, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Urias missed all of summer camp after testing positive for COVID-19 at the beginning of July, and he'll need a couple of weeks to make up for lost time once he's cleared to return to workouts. As such, he doesn't seem likely to join the Brewers until at least mid-August. With Keston Hiura (arm) and Orlando Arcia expected to start up the middle for Milwaukee, Urias will likely have to fight Brock Holt for the top utility infield job once he's healthy.

Hernandez and Chris Taylor will share time at second base at the start of the season, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Most expected Gavin Lux to take the reigns at second base this season, but his assignment to the team's alternate training site Tuesday opens the door for veterans Hernandez and Taylor to each log significant time at the position, at least until Lux's inevitable return. Both players have proven capable of major-league production in the past, and both stood out in Tuesday's exhibition win over the Angels. Hernandez went 2-for-3 with a double and a pair of RBI and Taylor slugged a three-run home run for the second consecutive game.

The Brewers plan to assign Urias (illness) to their alternate training site in Appleton to begin the season, freelance baseball writer Robert Murray reports.

Urias never reported to summer camp after testing positive for COVID-19 earlier this month and is still waiting to clear all health-related protocols, even though he's said to be asymptomatic. Once Urias is cleared to head to Appleton, he likely won't take long to ramp up and could be activated from the COVID-19 injured list in short order. The Brewers appear content to proceed with Keston Hiura and Orlando Arcia as their primary options at second base and shortstop, respectively, so Urias will likely have to fight Brock Holt for the top utility infield job once he's reinstated from the IL.

Lux was optioned by the Dodgers on Tuesday, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

In somewhat of a surprising move, the highly talented young infielder won't be part of the Dodgers' Opening Day roster. The 22-year-old didn't do a ton in his 23-game debut last season, hitting a modest .240/.305/.400, but he slashed an incredible .392/.478/.719 in 49 games for Triple-A Oklahoma City. It's likely that this move was made primarily because Lux wasn't able to report to camp until July 10 for undisclosed reasons. There's still a good chance he fills a major role for the Dodgers this season once he's in game shape.