MLB Player News

With Aaron Hill looking like the favorite to win the Giants' backup middle infielder spot, Tomlinson appears ticketed to begin the year with Triple-A Sacramento.

The speedy infielder has been an excellent backup for the Giants over the past two seasons, batting .299 with two home runs and 10 stolen bases in 284 at-bats. Despite his solid production, Tomlinson's remaining minor-league options should make the club's decision to start the year with Hill an easy one. No roster moves have officially been made, but all signs point toward a start in the minors for the 26-year-old.

Hernandez (wrist) is expected to try hitting Thursday but is unsure if he'll be able to play the field, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Hernandez was hit in the wrist by a pitch in Tuesday's Cactus League matchup with the Pirates, although the ailment seems to be fairly minor. He may not be 100 percent for another few days, but a return to the lineup seems to be on the horizon nonetheless.

X-ray results on Hernandez's injured right wrist came back negative Tuesday, Bill Plunkett os the Orange County Register reports.

It appears that Hernandez and the Dodgers dodged a bullet after the utility man was hit by a pitch on the wrist during Tuesday's game. It's possible that he'll experience some bruising or discomfort, but likely won't need to miss extended time. He'll remain a valuable reserve piece for the Dodgers entering the 2017 season.

Hernandez exited Tuesday's Cactus League contest against the Pirates early after being hit by a pitch on the right wrist, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Gurnick also reported that Hernandez is undergoing X-rays Tuesday to determine if any structural damage occurred. Until additional news becomes available, the Dodgers' utility man will be considered day-to-day.

Ngoepe was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Despite an outstanding spring showing that saw him go 18-for-42 (.429) over 21 games, Ngoepe will start the season with Indianapolis. However, while the possibility exists that he could be called up to the majors at some point in 2017, Ngoepe's fantasy value will remain limited barring an injury to Jordy Mercer.

Renda was reassigned to minor-league camp Tuesday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

A .295/.404/.523 showing in the Cactus League wasn't enough for Renda to force his way back onto the 40-man roster after being outrighted in December. The 26-year-old Renda appeared to hurt himself on a diving play last weekend but there has been no indication that it will keep him off the field to begin the minor-league season. He figures to spend most of the year at Triple-A Louisville.

Marte was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Tuesday.

Marte's banishment to Triple-A leaves Chris Owings and Nick Ahmed to battle it out for the starting job at shorstop. The 23-year-old Marte, who came over from the Mariners in November as part of the Jean Segura/Taijuan Walker trade, will presumably see a full-time role at Triple-A and could reemerge as a regular option in the infield later in the season if he's able to find some more success with Reno than he enjoyed during spring training. Marte slashed .250/.321/.375 over 48 at-bats in Cactus League play and was nabbed on his only stolen-base attempt.

Marte flew out in his only at-bat in Saturday's spring training loss to the Angels. He's hitting .261 (12-for-46) this spring and remains in the shortstop competition with Chris Owings and Nick Ahmed.

Owings is hitting .409 and looks like the leading candidate for the starting job, but a decision may not come until next week. If he can show signs of getting on base at a clip closer to his 2015 level in Seattle, Marte could become a threat to overtake Owings for the starting job at short at some point this season.

Drury, who is hitting .408 with a 1.064 OPS this spring, has won the starting second base job, manager Torey Lovullo told ArizonaSports.com. "Offensively he's having a great spring, but we knew he was built around offense and that was going to be, really, the non-issue for him," Lovullo added. "So he should be proud of himself for how he's addressed the needs defensively, he's been really good."

With Drury locked in at second base, Chris Owings, Nick Ahmed and Ketel Marte are battling for the starting shortstop job. Drury hit 16 home runs and compiled a .786 OPS last season and could take a bigger step forward in the power department in 2017 with steady at-bats at a set position after playing the infield and outfield last season.

Adames is 11-for-42 (.262) with three home runs in 23 Cactus League games.

Adames is incorporating first base into his defensive repertoire in an effort to land an Opening Day roster spot, and his bat is helping to strengthen his argument. However, the power surge might not be enough to help the switch-hitter punch his ticket to the big leagues, as Jordan Patterson and Stephen Cardullo seem to be the front-runners to fill the void left after Ian Desmond (hand) went down due to injury.