MLB Player News

Semien, who was 0-for-3 against the Royals on Monday in his return from an illness, went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 15-12 Cactus League loss to the Cubs.

Semien, who blasted a career-best 27 homers in 2016, launched only his second round-tripper of spring off Cubs starter John Lackey in the third inning. The 26-year-old brings plenty of pop but will look to improve his 22.4 percent strikeout rate from 2016 in the coming season.

Giavotella will begin the season with Triple-A Norfolk, Roch Kubatko of MASN reports.

The 29-year-old was in the running for a reserve infield spot with Baltimore, but his .701 OPS ultimately wasn't enough to warrant a spot on the 40-man roster. Giavotella will likely spend a good amount of time in the minors, although his major-league experience could help him be one of the first players called up if someone in the major-league infield gets injured or falters significantly.

With Aaron Hill looking like the favorite to win the Giants' backup middle infielder spot, Tomlinson appears ticketed to begin the year with Triple-A Sacramento.

The speedy infielder has been an excellent backup for the Giants over the past two seasons, batting .299 with two home runs and 10 stolen bases in 284 at-bats. Despite his solid production, Tomlinson's remaining minor-league options should make the club's decision to start the year with Hill an easy one. No roster moves have officially been made, but all signs point toward a start in the minors for the 26-year-old.

Hernandez (wrist) is expected to try hitting Thursday but is unsure if he'll be able to play the field, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Hernandez was hit in the wrist by a pitch in Tuesday's Cactus League matchup with the Pirates, although the ailment seems to be fairly minor. He may not be 100 percent for another few days, but a return to the lineup seems to be on the horizon nonetheless.

Franklin (illness) will start at second base and bat eighth in the order in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Franklin was scratched from Tuesday's lineup while he dealt with the illness, but the Rays never expected him to require much recovery time. Though he'll start Wednesday, Franklin won't have a path to an everyday role to begin the season with Brad Miller expected to occupy the keystone more often than not. However, Franklin's ability to play just about everywhere on the diamond as well as the corner outfield should help him find a handful of at-bats every week.

X-ray results on Hernandez's injured right wrist came back negative Tuesday, Bill Plunkett os the Orange County Register reports.

It appears that Hernandez and the Dodgers dodged a bullet after the utility man was hit by a pitch on the wrist during Tuesday's game. It's possible that he'll experience some bruising or discomfort, but likely won't need to miss extended time. He'll remain a valuable reserve piece for the Dodgers entering the 2017 season.

Hernandez exited Tuesday's Cactus League contest against the Pirates early after being hit by a pitch on the right wrist, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Gurnick also reported that Hernandez is undergoing X-rays Tuesday to determine if any structural damage occurred. Until additional news becomes available, the Dodgers' utility man will be considered day-to-day.

Ngoepe was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Despite an outstanding spring showing that saw him go 18-for-42 (.429) over 21 games, Ngoepe will start the season with Indianapolis. However, while the possibility exists that he could be called up to the majors at some point in 2017, Ngoepe's fantasy value will remain limited barring an injury to Jordy Mercer.

Renda was reassigned to minor-league camp Tuesday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

A .295/.404/.523 showing in the Cactus League wasn't enough for Renda to force his way back onto the 40-man roster after being outrighted in December. The 26-year-old Renda appeared to hurt himself on a diving play last weekend but there has been no indication that it will keep him off the field to begin the minor-league season. He figures to spend most of the year at Triple-A Louisville.

Marte was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Tuesday.

Marte's banishment to Triple-A leaves Chris Owings and Nick Ahmed to battle it out for the starting job at shorstop. The 23-year-old Marte, who came over from the Mariners in November as part of the Jean Segura/Taijuan Walker trade, will presumably see a full-time role at Triple-A and could reemerge as a regular option in the infield later in the season if he's able to find some more success with Reno than he enjoyed during spring training. Marte slashed .250/.321/.375 over 48 at-bats in Cactus League play and was nabbed on his only stolen-base attempt.