MLB Player News

Herrera (shoulder) resumed his throwing program Monday by playing light catch, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

The shoulder inflammation has kept Herrera from being able to play the field, but the soon-to-be 23-year-old has DH'd twice in four games this spring for Cincinnati, which is reassuring. It still remains unclear when he'll return to the field, but the Reds seem to be playing it safe with Herrera, who is sitting out the WBC because of the issue. "I'm going to keep DHing him, and we're going to make sure that when he's throwing, he's throwing at 100 percent before I put him at second base," manager Bryan Price said.

Young put together a strong performance in the Dominican Winter League during the offseason, MLB.com reports.

Young, a top-20 prospect for the Cubs, batted .351 in 22 regular-season games, then hit .314 in the DWL playoffs. The 24-year-old middle infielder has been solid with the bat since being drafted in 2014 and he should begin the year at Triple-A, but the likes of Addison Russell and Javier Baez are blocking him at the MLB level.

Frazier was scratched from Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles due to left thumb discomfort, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

It's likely only a minor issue for Frazier, who is projected to serve this season in the utility role that Sean Rodriguez filled for the Pirates in 2016. Frazier slashed .301/.356/.411 across 160 plate appearances as a rookie.

Frazier is taking reps at shortstop as the primary backup for starter Jordy Mercer, DKPittsburghSports reports.

With Jung Ho Kang's status questionable for the start of 2017, Frazier is breaking out his old shortstop glove. He came up through the minors at that position until 2015. Frazier is also the team's fourth outfielder and backup at second base and third. In other words, the second-year player is expected to see plenty of time all over the diamond. He slashed .301/.356/.411 in 160 plate appearances as a rookie and batted .299 in parts of four minor league seasons. Unfortunately, he only played 20-plus games in the outfield for Pittsburgh last season but will increase that versatility soon after the year begins.

Forsythe is starting at second base and leading off in Saturday's Cactus League opener against the White Sox, according to SB Nation.

Manager Dave Roberts has wavered on his initial thinking of using Forsythe as his primary leadoff hitter, claiming he will use his new second baseman as a "top-of-the-order hitter." While one spring training game doesn't reveal all, it gives Forsythe a head start in the race to become the Dodgers' leadoff man. Other candidates to top the lineup this season are Andrew Toles, Andre Ethier and Joc Pederson.

Drury focused on improving his agility in the offseason in hopes of being the Diamondbacks' everyday second baseman, and he said dropped more than 10 pounds while adding muscle, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

After playing the outfield for most of 2016, he's the likely choice to man the keystone heading into 2017. The work the 24-year-old performed on his side-to-side movement could help him lock down second base for the long term, despite the fact he may face competition at times from Ketel Marte. Drury popped 16 home runs and a .786 OPS last season and could take a bigger step forward in the power department, especially if he occupies close to a full-time role. He still carries sleeper appeal late in mixed fantasy drafts.

Herrera will not play in the World Baseball Classic due to his recent right shoulder inflammation, John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The shoulder injury will keep Herrera from representing Colombia, but he can still work on hitting during spring action as he tries to lock down a roster spot out of camp. He'll help his cause more when he gets back to manning the field, though. During his age-23 season, he likely will serve a utility role and start a couple of games per week, though the once heralded prospect could play his way into more duties for this rebuilding club.

Reds manager Bryan Price said Herrera is suffering from right shoulder inflammation, and while he can't throw yet, he will see action at designated hitter during Saturday's Cactus League game, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Herrera likely won't be limited at the plate, but his inability to get out in the field may work against him proving his worth as a utility player. Still, he's a favorite for an Opening Day bench role, and his progress is worth monitoring, especially for those in NL-only fantasy leagues.

Drury is hitting second and starting at second base for the D-backs in their spring exhibition against Grand Canyon University on Wednesday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

In a lineup that has the look of one that manager Torey Lovullo might use on Opening Day (with the exception of David Peralta yielding the start in right field to Oswaldo Arcia due to visa issues), Drury is in a prime spot ahead of Paul Goldschmidt and Jake Lamb on the lineup card. Drury's greatest competition for playing time at second base may come from Ketel Marte, but it appears as though Drury has the inside track for the starting job at the keystone to begin spring games.

Rosario, who added about 10 pounds of muscle to his frame this offseason, launched a ball off the top of the batter's eye in straightaway center field during a batting practice session Monday, The New York Daily News reports.

Although he's been added to the 40-man roster, Rosario is a long shot to see significant action in the majors this year, as the Mets would prefer he gets a full season's worth of at-bats at Triple-A before competing for the starting role at shortstop in 2018. Nonetheless, the 21-year-old blossomed as an elite prospect last season when his bat began to catch up to his glove, and further improvements in that area could accelerate the organization's timetable for him. After hitting .341/.392/.481 in 54 games at Double-A last season, don't be surprised if Rosario puts up some huge numbers in the desert for Triple-A Las Vegas in 2017.