MLB Player News

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.

Motter is dealing with a sore back and won't play for a couple of days, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Despite the hindrance, Motter is still hitting and working on the field, so it doesn't seem to be a major concern. The 27-year-old is competing for a utility role on the Seattle roster after being acquired in a trade from the Rays during the offseason. Motter, who hit just .188 in 34 games last year, likely needs to impress this spring to earn the spot over veteran incumbent Shawn O'Malley.

Andrus (groin) says he will ramp up his running next week as he continues his recovery from sports hernia surgery, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Andrus has been running at only 50 percent speed thus far, a precautionary measure as he eases back into action. The shortstop is already participating in all baseball activities and is expected to participate in a live game sometime within the coming month. It appears Andrus is well on the road back to full health, but it's worth monitoring the situation as spring camp progresses.

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.

Andrus (groin) will sit out the Rangers' Cactus League opener Saturday as he continues to take things slow in spring training, TR Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

Texas will not rush him back as he recovers from sports hernia surgery, though fantasy players will want to see him in action for at least a week's worth of games to feel comfortable plucking him in the middle to late rounds of mixed drafts. Last season (.302, eight home runs, 69 RBI, 75 runs, 24 steals) might've been his peak, so be careful not to pay for more than that in 2017.

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.

Kemp is taking most of his repetitions at second base during spring training, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Kemp appeared in 59 games for the Astros in 2016, almost exclusively in left field, but offseason acquisitions leave him out of the outfield picture. So, it' s back to the position with which he's most familiar. Unfortunately, that's the spot already occupied by Jose Altuve, so we can expect Kemp to start the season playing second base for Triple-A Fresno.

A's manager Bob Melvin said Barreto will spend his time at shortstop and second base this spring, John Hickey of The Mercury News reports.

The club's top prospect is knocking loudly on the door for a job with the big club sometime this coming season. Though Marcus Semien has locked down shortstop, Barreto may have a shot at second base, currently occupied by injury-prone Jed Lowrie and other uninspiring options. Whenever he's called up, he may immediately jump toward the top of the order. He's a difference-making bat worth stashing in deep leagues, though the wait is much easier to endure in AL-only games because of the late-season upside he'd offer.

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.