MLB Player News
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Josh Rojas 3B | KC
Diamondbacks' Josh Rojas: Playing middle infield
Rojas has been playing shortstop and second base during spring training games, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.
Rojas, who came to Arizona in the Zack Greinke trade last year, played primarily in the outfield during his 41-game stint in the majors. "He's getting a lot of his time as an infielder because I only was able to evaluate him prior to this year as an outfielder," manager Torey Lovullo said. He'd played a variety of positions in the minors and is being eyed as an infielder/outfielder for 2020, which could give him an edge while vying to be the team's 26th man.
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Luis Urias 2B | TOR
Brewers' Luis Urias: Spring debut pushed back
Urias (wrist) did not make his spring debut Thursday as anticipated with both split-squad games on the Brewers' schedule being rained out.
Urias was set to see his first action of the spring after recovering from wrist surgery, but due to the weather and now with spring training being suspended altogether, he will have to wait some time to make his first appearance with his new club.
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Isan Diaz 2B | DET
Marlins' Isan Diaz: Spring struggles continue
Diaz went 0-for-3 with a strikeout in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.
The 23-year-old is expected to begin the season as the Marlins' starting second baseman, but he isn't exactly seizing the opportunity this spring. Diaz is slashing .103/.235/.103 through 34 plate appearances with a 5:9 BB:K, and if his struggles at the plate extend past Opening Day, Jon Berti could begin to cut into his playing time at the keystone.
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Amed Rosario 3B | NYY
Mets' Amed Rosario: Sluggish start to spring
Rosario went 0-for-2 with two walks and a run scored in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.
The shortstop has yet to find his rhythm at the plate this spring, slashing .138/.194/.310 through 31 plate appearances. On the bright side for Rosario, three of his four hits have gone for extra bases (two triples and a double) after the 24-year-old slugged a career-high 52 XBH in 2019. He's locked in as the Mets' starter at the six, and Rosario still has time to build up some momentum before Opening Day.
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Luis Urias 2B | TOR
Brewers' Luis Urias: Spring debut set for Thursday
Manager Craig Counsell said Urias (wrist) will make his Cactus League debut in Thursday's split-squad game against the Diamondbacks, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
The 22-year-old was cleared to face live hitting last weekend, and he'll make his return to game action Thursday after recovering from left wrist surgery in late January. Urias' availability for Opening Day has been in doubt since receiving an eight-week recovery timeline, but he's progressed well and is on track to be ready for the March 26 matchup with the Cubs.
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Ronny Rodriguez 2B | DET
Brewers' Ronny Rodriguez: Still in mix for utility spot
Rodriguez went 2-for-3 with two RBI in Tuesday's spring game against the Royals.
Rodriguez remains in the mix for a utility spot on the Brewers' Opening Day roster, and the multi-hit game came at the right time, as he had not recorded even one hit in a game since Feb. 24. There are a number of players competing with Rodriguez for spots, so a strong finish to the exhibition season would go a long way in securing one.
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Cristhian Adames 2B | MIA
Giants' Cristhian Adames: Reassigned to minor-league camp
Adames was reassigned to minor-league camp Tuesday, Amy Gutierrez of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
The 28-year-old went 7-for-22 at the plate across 10 games for the Giants in 2019 and was not expected make the Opening Day roster heading into camp. Adames was productive at the plate for Triple-A Sacramento last season, hitting .283/.364/.517 with 25 RBI and 23 runs scored in 165 plate appearances. The second baseman is likely only an injury away from returning to the majors.
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Mauricio Dubon LF | ATL
Giants' Mauricio Dubon: Could see steady work in center
Giants manager Gabe Kapler said Friday that he anticipates Dubon seeing extensive action in center field this season, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports. "I can really, legitimately see him playing center field quite a bit," Kapler said. "I think earlier in camp I was saying we're going to take more of a wait-and-see approach. I think at this point he has demonstrated he can play center field, he can play shortstop for us."
The Giants still seemingly view Dubon as a second baseman first and foremost, as he's spent the majority of his innings at that position so far this spring. The comfort Kapler has in deploying Dubon in center field and at shortstop should help keep the 25-year-old's playing time relatively secure if the Giants elect to open up more regular starts for Wilmer Flores at the keystone when San Francisco faces left-handed pitching. Additionally, Kapler said he wants to get Dubon some more reps at third base, but he'll merely be a backup option at that spot with Evan Longoria entrenched as an everyday player.
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Zack Short SS | NYM
Cubs' Zack Short: Sent to Triple-A
Short was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.
There was never a realistic roster spot that Short could have won in camp, as the Cubs have a handful of more accomplished infielders ahead of him on the depth chart. He hit .211 with a 31.3 percent strikeout rate as a 24-year-old in the Pacific Coast League last season.
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Owen Miller 2B | CHC
Padres' Owen Miller: Reassigned to minor-league camp
Miller was sent to minor-league camp Sunday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Miller went 1-for-7 with two RBI in Cactus League play. He hit .290 with 13 home runs and 68 RBI with Double-A Amarillo last season.