MLB Player News

Rosario will start taking flyballs in center field within the next week, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Rosario has been almost exclusively a shortstop over his four big-league seasons, with the only exception being a three-inning stint in left field in 2019. He hasn't graded out as a particularly strong defender despite the fact that defense was considered one of his carrying tools as a prospect. His bat would seem to fit best in a utility role, as he's a career .268/.302/.403 hitter. The fact that the team is looking to improve Rosario's versatility may suggest that Andres Gimenez has moved ahead of him on the shortstop depth chart.

Albies (neck) is in the lineup for Thursday's spring game against the Rays.

Albies missed a couple days of action with a sore neck, but that will be the extent of his absence. As he figures to do regularly when the regular season gets underway, Albies will play second and hit second in Thursday's contest.

Altuve went 0-for-4 in Wednesday's spring game against the Marlins and is batting .143 in Grapefruit League play.

Altuve has been working hard to put his disappointing 2020 season behind him. Per Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle, he stayed in Wednesday's game to get an extra at-bat and launched a 99.4 mph flyout to center field. "I've been feeling good," Altuve said. "It was particular today that I wanted that extra at-bat because I was feeling good. I actually hit the ball hard in the last one. I'm just trying to do everything I can to get ready every day." The results have not been there for Altuve, but like most hitters, he preaches process over results.

Rengifo led off and played left field in Wednesday's Cactus League win over Cleveland, going 1-for-2 with a run and a walk.

Rengifo has now played four different positions during spring training, adding left field to a list that also includes second base, shortstop and third base. The 24-year-old has never seen time at left field in a regular-season major-league game, though he has played the position sporadically as a minor leaguer. While he figures to spend the bulk of his time on the infield this season, Rengifo's expanding versatility further adds to his value on the big-league roster.

Manager Craig Counsell suggested Wednesday that Urias (hamstring) could rejoin the Brewers' Cactus League lineup this weekend, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Urias has been held out of action since straining his left hamstring last weekend, but he took a significant step forward during his workout Tuesday. According to Counsell, Urias took batting practice and ran under the supervision of trainers, reporting no setbacks with his hamstring during either activity. Once cleared to play again, the 23-year-old will resume competing with Orlando Arcia for the Brewers' Opening Day shortstop job.

Mathias will undergo an MRI after he sustained a right shoulder injury during Tuesday's spring win over the Giants, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Mathias had appeared in six spring games to begin camp, but he'll miss time after sustaining a shoulder injury Tuesday. A better timetable for his return could be revealed once the results of his MRI are known.

Shortcode="annotation" data-id="306" data-text="Tigers" data-canon="Detroit Tigers" data-type="SPORTS_OBJECT_TEAM" data-league-abbreviation="MLB" data-team-abbreviation="DET">Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Wednesday that Short (head) is away from the team due to COVID-19 protocols, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Short had been dealing with a head injury after being hit Thursday, but he checked out fine afterward. Although Hinch didn't provide specifics regarding his COVID-19-related absences, he said that Short didn't violate any rules. It's not yet clear when the shortstop could return.

Rodgers went 2-for-3 with a double, a two-run homer and two runs in Tuesday's spring win over the Diamondbacks.

Rodgers had gone just 1-for-5 with a single and two strikeouts across his past two games, but he was dominant in the early innings of Tuesday's Cactus League matchup. After C.J. Cron led off the top of the second inning with a double, Rodgers blasted a two-run homer to left field to put the Rockies on the board. He then led off the top of the fourth inning with a double of his own and came around to score. The 24-year-old is a strong candidate to carve out regular playing time in the infield if he can produce once the season gets underway.

Atlanta scratched Albies from its lineup for Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against Pittsburgh due to a stiff neck.

Ehire Adrianza was a late addition to the lineup card, filling in for Albies at second base and as Atlanta's No. 2 hitter. The team hasn't commented on the severity of Albies' injury, but he was presumably scratched as a precaution and is likely being viewed as day-to-day.

Chavis still has minor-league options, which could be a factor for the Red Sox as they finalize their Opening Day roster, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Boston is expected to carry just three bench players, including catcher Kevin Plawecki and super-utility man Marwin Gonzalez, who plays both outfield and infield. That leaves Chavis in a battle with Christian Arroyo, who is out of minor-league options. To preserve their organizational depth, the Red Sox may keep Arroyo and stash Chavis at Triple-A Worcester.