MLB Player News

Manager Alex Cora confirmed Sunday that Hernandez would begin the season as the Red Sox's leadoff hitter, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

Mainly a short-side platoon player for the Dodgers over the past six seasons, Hernandez will not only be on tap for an everyday role in his debut campaign in Boston, but he'll also be setting the table against both left- and right-handed pitching. The Boston lineup doesn't look like the top-to-bottom juggernaut it was earlier this season, but batting in front of Alex Verdugo, J.D. Martinez, Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers should still be fertile ground for Hernandez. The 29-year-old looks like a worthy target late in drafts for fantasy managers looking for a boost in the runs category.

Marte was scratched from Sunday's Cactus League lineup with a non-COVID illness, Zach Buchanan of The Athletic reports.

The 27-year-old was slated to start in center field and bat leadoff, but he'll instead receive the day off. The specifics of the situation remain unclear, but it's unlikely to affect Marte's availability for Opening Day.

Diaz will begin the season at Triple-A Jacksonville after Jazz Chisholm was named the starter at second base by general manager Kim Ng on Sunday, Craig Mish of SportsGrid.com reports.

The pair were competing for the starting job throughout spring training, but Diaz won't make the Opening Day roster after going 2-for-34 with 13 strikeouts in 19 Grapefruit League appearances. Diaz will receive regular reps in the minors rather than operating as a bench piece for the Marlins.

Lopez could lose playing time at second base due to a poor spring as Whit Merrifield has seen the most time at second base recently, MLB.com reports. Lopez is hitting just .118 (4-for-34) this spring.

Lopez hit just .201 with a .552 OPS last season, so he'll need as strong start to the season to remain a starter. It's possible he could move to a platoon or reserve role if the Royals decide to give a prospect like Kyle Isbel playing time in right field or call up top prospect Bobby Witt early in the season.

Andrus is 5-for-14 with a double, a triple, three RBI, a walk and four runs over his last four spring starts.

Andrus' 2-for-4 day against the Dodgers on Friday pushed his spring average over the Mendoza Line to .205 and was only his second multi-hit effort in 14 Cactus League contests. The recent flashes with the bat are particularly welcome in Andrus' case, as he's being counted on as the everyday shortstop and is coming off a 2020 season in which he slashed an unsightly .194/.252/.330 with the Rangers (111 plate appearances).

Kemp is 4-for-8 with two doubles, a walk and two runs in his last three spring starts.

The versatile veteran's ability to fill in at both second base and the outfield helps his cause from a defensive standpoint, but it certainly doesn't hurt Kemp that he's picked it up at the plate in recent games after seeing his spring average dip as low as .190 at one point. Looking ahead to the regular season, the 29-year-old still projects to see time at the keystone in tandem with Jed Lowrie, who Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports has made the Opening Day roster.

Ibanez was sent to minor-league camp Saturday, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

Ibanez was potentially in the mix to break camp as a designated hitter following injuries to Willie Calhoun (groin) and Khris Davis (quadriceps), but he was always a long shot. He could make his big-league debut at some point this year but isn't on the 40-man roster, so he won't necessarily be one of the first names to get the call.

Garcia was optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Saturday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Carter Kieboom's significant spring struggles could have opened up playing time for Garcia, but his .660 spring OPS wasn't particularly impressive either. The Nationals elected to send both young infielders to the minors and will use veteran journeymen Starlin Castro, Josh Harrison, Jordy Mercer and Hernan Perez in some combination at second and third base to start the year. Garcia is still just 20 years old and was promoted ahead of schedule last season, so the move shouldn't be considered much of a setback in terms of his long-term career prospects.

Espinal was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday.

Espinal's ability to fill in at shortstop and second base should make him one of the top candidates for a call-up should injuries strike the Blue Jays' infield, but there's no room for him on the Opening Day roster. His .267/.308/.333 slash line in his 27-game debut last year doesn't suggest he'll be all that interesting to fantasy teams should he find himself with unexpected playing time.

Castro has been informed that he'll make the Tigers' Opening Day roster, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Castro was competing for a roster spot with Renato Nunez during camp, but Nunez was informed Saturday that he won't begin the season on the major-league roster. As a result, Castro will secure a bench role for Detroit to begin the year. The 27-year-old has hit .250 with two doubles and four RBI over 17 spring games.