MLB Player News

Marte and the Diamondbacks are engaged in talks about a contract extension, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Marte is under contract for this season with the team holding options for the next two seasons. News of the negotiations was first reported by Robert Murray of Fansided. Since then, Jon Heyman of MLB Network added further details, indicating the option years will be guaranteed plus another three more years. The Diamondbacks understand how important Marte is to their offense. He was a key piece in 2019, when Arizona made a late push for a wild-card spot, and he slashed .318/.377/.532 with an OPS+ of 143 over 90 games in 2021, though his season limited by hamstring injuries. The organization has taken steps to minimize the chances of injury by moving him to second base full time in 2022.

Kemp is hitting .500 (5-for-10) with three doubles, a triple, an RBI, a walk, a stolen base and five runs across his first four Cactus League games.

The veteran enjoyed a career-best season in 2021 that saw him generate a .279/.382/.418 slash line across 397 plate appearances. Kemp also compiled a career-high 27 extra-base hits, and his scorching hot start in that regard this spring certainly supports the notion he's up to the task of replicating or even exceeding that feat this season. Despite the Athletics' overall rebuilding approach heading into 2022, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports the 30-year-old is set to enjoy an everyday role at second base for the first time in his career, although it bears noting the recent signing of the versatile Jed Lowrie does give manager Mark Kotsay another experienced hand capable of manning the keystone.

Frazier is hitting .333 (3-for-9) with a double, three walks and a run across his first five Cactus League games.

The offseason acquisition is penciled in as the everyday second baseman and is coming off an impressive 2021 season where he generated a career-best .305 average and .368 on-base percentage during stints with the Pirates and Padres. Frazier's constant presence on the basepaths early, albeit over a small sample, is certainly encouraging as he begins the first American League stint of his career.

Chavis was scratched from the lineup for Saturday's game against Baltimore due to shoulder tightness, reports Mike Persak of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Updating earlier information, Chavis' late removal from the lineup has been deemed precautionary. This is good news for the infielder as he battles for a spot on the Opening Day roster in Pittsburgh.

Chavis was scratched from the lineup for Saturday's game against Baltimore for undisclosed reasons.

Chavis is competing for at-bats at several spots around the diamond this spring. He's struggled to a .228/.259/.386 line in 85 major-league games over the last two seasons, so he needs every chance he can get in Grapefruit League action to make his case for playing time. It's unclear if Saturday's setback will keep him off the field for an extended period.

Arroyo (hand) is hitting seventh and playing second base Saturday against the Rays.

Arroyo was scratched from the lineup earlier in the week with a sore right hand, though the issue was always deemed minor. He remains penciled in at second base while Trevor Story (personal) is away from the team, but Arroyo will likely serve as a utility player across the infield once the regular season begins. Arroyo has also recently begun working out in right field, furthering his versatility.

Short was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on Saturday.

Short appeared in 61 major-league games last year but will begin the 2022 campaign in the minors after he went 1-for-9 with two runs, two RBI, a stolen base and a walk across seven Grapefruit League outings this year. He hit .236 with nine homers, 30 runs, 29 RBI and two stolen bases in Toledo in 2021.

Manager Dave Martinez indicated Saturday that Garcia will likely begin the season at Triple-A Rochester, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

While Martinez didn't explicitly commit to Garcia starting the regular season in the minors, he referred to the 21-year-old as the "future" middle infielder for the Nationals and said that he wants Garcia to get regular at-bats somewhere. Garcia has appeared in five spring games this year and has gone 1-for-9 with a double, a run, an RBI, a stolen base and three strikeouts. Assuming Garcia reports to the minors ahead of Opening Day, Ehire Adrianza would likely be in line to serve as one of the top utility options for Washington.

Arroyo (hand) will get reps as an outfielder, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Arroyo had been penciled in as the starter at second base until Boston signed Trevor Story earlier this week. Without a permanent home, Arroyo will go back to being a utility infielder but will add outfield to his defensive resume, and he might get playing time in right field once he's comfortable. Red Sox manager Alex Cora plans to have Arroyo somewhere in the lineup against left-handers.

Marte started at second base, batted second and went 1-for-4 in Thursday's spring training game against Milwaukee.

Marte, who had been dealing with left-eye irritation, delivered his first base hit of the Cactus League in what was his first appearance in the field. As expected, he played second base and batted in the top third of the order. Injuries have been his biggest concern in recent years, particularly the nettlesome hamstrings that limited him to 90 games in 2021. That followed back and wrist injuries the previous two seasons. Marte told Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic that he hopes focusing on second base, which puts less stress on his body than playing center field, will keep him healthy this season.