MLB Player News

Giants manager Gabe Kapler said Friday that he anticipates Dubon seeing extensive action in center field this season, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports. "I can really, legitimately see him playing center field quite a bit," Kapler said. "I think earlier in camp I was saying we're going to take more of a wait-and-see approach. I think at this point he has demonstrated he can play center field, he can play shortstop for us."

The Giants still seemingly view Dubon as a second baseman first and foremost, as he's spent the majority of his innings at that position so far this spring. The comfort Kapler has in deploying Dubon in center field and at shortstop should help keep the 25-year-old's playing time relatively secure if the Giants elect to open up more regular starts for Wilmer Flores at the keystone when San Francisco faces left-handed pitching. Additionally, Kapler said he wants to get Dubon some more reps at third base, but he'll merely be a backup option at that spot with Evan Longoria entrenched as an everyday player.

Short was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

There was never a realistic roster spot that Short could have won in camp, as the Cubs have a handful of more accomplished infielders ahead of him on the depth chart. He hit .211 with a 31.3 percent strikeout rate as a 24-year-old in the Pacific Coast League last season.

Haggerty is dealing with elbow soreness and is currently sitting out of game action as he awaits a second opinion, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

The 25-year-old was claimed off waivers by the Mariners back in January and is competing for a bench role this spring. Haggerty hasn't seen game action since Thursday, but he's made a strong impression thus far -- the infielder is hitting .357 (5-for-14) with three doubles, two RBI and one run across eight Cactus League contests. Haggerty has just four plate appearances worth of major-league regular-season experience, which came across 11 games with the Mets last season.

Barreto went 3-for-5 with three doubles, two runs and an RBI in Sunday's 11-3 win over the Brewers in Cactus League play.

Barreto's odds of making the Athletics' Opening Day roster already improved after Sheldon Neuse was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas earlier in the day, and the 23-year-old only bolstered his outlook by banging out three extra-base hits in the win. He'll continue to compete with Jorge Mateo, Tony Kemp and Chad Pinder for the top job at second base throughout the spring, though manager Bob Melvin may ultimately opt for a platoon or timeshare at the position.

Miller was sent to minor-league camp Sunday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Miller went 1-for-7 with two RBI in Cactus League play. He hit .290 with 13 home runs and 68 RBI with Double-A Amarillo last season.

Urias (wrist) began facing live pitching Sunday and is hoping to start Cactus League games within the week, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

A return to game action this week would provide Urias a promising chance of being ready for Opening Day, which appeared somewhat unlikely after he underwent surgery on his left wrist in late January. The 22-year-old seemed poised to begin the season as the Brewers' starting shortstop, but an impressive spring training from Orlando Arcia could result in split at-bats between them early on. Regardless, Urias is progressing well in his recovery and should be able to avoid starting the season on the injured list if he can make a few appearances in spring games.

McNeil (illness) will start at third base and bat leadoff in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

McNeil missed the past couple days of action while battling flu-like symptoms, but the Mets were apparently satisfied with his health when he reported to the ballpark Sunday. The 27-year-old saw action at several different spots in 2019, but he's expected to find a permanent home at third base this season for the Mets.

McNeil was sent back to his Port St. Lucie lodgings Friday after reporting flu-like symptoms, per Anthony Rieber of Newsday Sports.

McNeil did not play in Friday's game against Houston, and given that he had to be sent home from the team's facility, it seems possible that he could be out of the lineup for a few days. That said, at yet there's no reason to think the illness will put him at risk of missing Opening Day.

Wong was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Friday.

Wong was claimed off waivers from the Angels in November but won't open the season in the majors. That's hardly surprising, as he's played just seven major-league games thus far in his career.

Altuve (illness) is back in the lineup as expected Friday against the Mets, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Altuve had been out of action since Tuesday, though his illness evidently wasn't too serious. He'll have plenty of chances to make up for lost time with Opening Day still nearly three weeks away.