MLB Player News

Albies went 2-for-2 after replacing Brandon Phillips at second base during Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.

It was a banner day for the next wave of Atlanta prospects, as Ronald Acuna also went 2-for-5 from the leadoff spot. Albies, a 5-foot-9 dynamo who is the team's No. 4 prospect, will likely spend most or all of the season with Triple-A Gwinnett in 2017 after winning the batting title for Double-A Mississippi as the youngest player in the Southern League last season. However, should anything happen to Phillips, the Braves may not hesitate to bring Albies up to the big leagues.

Arroyo was asked if the Giants approached him regarding playing in the outfield to shorten his path to the majors, and he said that they have not, CSN Bay Area reports.

This was a move that the Giants were considering making last year in an effort to open up a path to majors for their top hitting prospect. It never came to fruition then, and it doesn't sound like the club is considering it now either. Arroyo is currently blocked from an everyday role in the majors with Eduardo Nunez manning third and Brandon Crawford at short. The best shot at cracking the 25-man roster this year would be in left field, but the Giants would certainly feel more comfortable starting one of the two natural outfielders (Jarrett Parker or Mac Williamson) in left, rather than rush Arroyo into a role he hasn't had much experience in. Injuries could always open up a spot for the young infielder, but assuming good health, a 2018 debut seems more likely.

Manager Andy Green said Solarte will get work as a second baseman when he returns from the World Baseball Classic, adding that he is considering starting him there to begin the regular season, The San Diego Union Tribune reports.

It was initially thought that Solarte would start the season at third base, the position at which he played the majority of his games last season (89 of 104 starts at third in 2016). Green's comments show that he is thinking otherwise. He added that Solarte is going to be a starter this season, but he may play defensively at the keystone with the winner of the Cory Spangenberg and Ryan Schimpf battle starting at the hot corner. If Green moves forward with the aforementioned defensive layout, Solarte would stand to gain value in formats where he doesn't already have second base eligibility. His 15 homers, 71 RBI and .286 batting average met the requirements for a corner infielder in fantasy last season, but those stats at second base would inflate the 29-year-old's value, especially considering those numbers came in just 443 plate appearances.

Rosario will remain in major league camp for the time being, The New York Post reports.

There's basically no chance the Mets will have their top prospect break camp on the 25-man roster, but with David Wright (shoulder) out of commission and Jose Reyes away at the WBC, the organization is using the available reps on the left side of the infield to accelerate Rosario's learning curve. "He's shown me everything that needs to be seen," manager Terry Collins said. "He hasn't hit for power in camp, but you know he's got it. He's got great hands, he's got great poise on the field and he loves to play, got great energy. He's going to be a good player." The 21-year-old is hitting .296 (8-for-27) this spring and seems poised to put up big numbers for Triple-A Las Vegas this season.

Marte went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in his first game back from an illness Saturday.

The 23-year-old returned from a four-day absence and dropped his average below the Mendoza Line on the spring. Marte's struggling bat isn't helping his case for either of the two middle-infield spots, which currently belong to Chris Owings and Brandon Drury. If he is able to get on base closer to his 2015 clip with Seattle (.351 OBP), he could start to challenge Owings for the starting job at some point this season.

Diaz will spend time at both second base and shortstop this season, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Although he was signed as a shortstop, the 20-year-old split time between second base and shortstop last season as well. In 587 plate appearances with Low-A Wisconsin last year, Diaz slashed .264/.358/.469. while hitting 20 home runs. He'll look to showcase that same power potential with High-A Carolina, where he is expected to start the season.

Albies hit leadoff and went 1-for-2 with a run scored in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.

He didn't miss a beat in his first game action since fracturing his elbow in the Southern League playoffs last year, lashing a single up the middle, scoring from first on a double and turning a nifty unassisted double play in the field. Albies will begin the season with Triple-A Gwinnett and could spend most or all of the campaign in the minors following the Braves' acquisition of Brandon Phillips, but the 20-year-old should be Dansby Swanson's middle infield partner in the majors by 2018.

Marte was scratched from Wednesday's lineup due to illness, the Arizona Republic reports.

All signs point to Marte beginning the season as a backup to Chris Owings and Brandon Drury at the two middle-infield spots. Through seven games this spring, Marte is 4-for-18 (.222) with a homer, four RBI and a 3:1 BB:K mark. If he can show signs of getting on base at a clip closer to his 2015 level in Seattle, Marte can become a threat to overtake Owings for the starting job at short at some point this season.

Herrera (shoulder) has resumed throwing activities but is still limited to being the designated hitter, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Herrera was held back from throwing early in camp due to soreness in his right shoulder, but he has since resumed his throwing program. He has DH'd in eight games so far, which is promising for the once-heralded Mets prospect, but manager Bryan Price noted "It'll probably still be a little while. I couldn't even put a timetable on it." It could be another couple weeks before he is back at second base, which could eventually hurt his chances at making the roster out of camp.

Albies (elbow) has been cleared by doctors and will start at second base in Thursday's exhibition, 680 The Fan's Kevin McAlpin reports.

He missed the start of Grapefruit League play as he was still working his way back from elbow surgery, but will be able to return in time to make a strong impression on the big league coaching staff. Albies is a uniquely advanced hitter for a 20-year-old, and should make his big league debut later this season. He has the speed to steal 20-plus bases annually, but is unlikely to ever hit double-digit homers in a season.