MLB Player News

Kemp has gone 9-for-28 with two doubles, three RBI and one stolen base (three attempts) through 15 spring games.

He's been filling in at second base frequently with Jose Altuve away competing in the WBC, making 14 appearances at the keystone compared to just three in the outfield. Kemp primarily played left field with the Astros last season, but the team decided to have Kemp focus his efforts in the infield this spring with the additions of Josh Reddick, Carlos Beltran and Nori Aoki over the winter. Kemp is expected to open the season at Triple-A Fresno.

Manager Dave Roberts said that Hernandez's participation in the World Baseball Classic will not affect his chances to make the Dodgers Opening Day roster, MLB.com's Ken Gurnick reports.

Hernandez left Dodgers camp last week to join Team Puerto Rico in the 2017 WBC. His time away may actually help his case to make the roster after he went 3-for-4 with a run scored and two RBI in Sunday's win over Team Italy. Hernandez is currently competing for one of the Dodgers final utility spots. His ability to play both the infield and the outfield makes him a favorite to make the club.

Frazier went 4-for-4 and played center field Monday against the Braves.

He's having a great spring, batting .462 in 26 at-bats. While Frazier doesn't hold a starter's job, he's expected to bounce around the infield and outfield as an often-used utility player. Pittsburgh also added fellow utilityman Phil Gosselin just prior to spring training, which could impact Frazier's playing time, but Frazier figures to see more reps as a left-handed bat.

Rosario was optioned to minor-league camp Tuesday.

Rosario had a strong spring at the dish for the Mets, but the 21-year-old is still in need of further refinement in the minors, so he wasn't under consideration for an Opening Day roster spot. However, if David Wright's rehab from a shoulder injury ends up lingering through much of the season and Rosario rakes at the Triple-A level like he did with Double-A Binghamton in 2016, the young infielder could be in line for his first taste of the big leagues at some point in the summer.

Joseph was returned to the Nationals minor league camp Monday, The Washington Post reports.

The former Oriole farmhand will likely spend the whole season at Triple-A Syracuse as Joseph provides some veteran organizational depth. Without a spot on the 40-man roster, though, he's unlikely to see any time with the Nats, even if injuries hit the team's infield.

Franklin went 3-for-3 with a stolen base and run in Monday's 9-4 Grapefruit League loss to the Twins.

The 25-year-old continues to be one of the Rays hottest hitters in terms of players with regular playing time this spring, with Monday's outing bringing his line to .571/.591/.810 over 21 at-bats. Franklin impressively sprayed the ball around on his three hits Monday, dropping one in to each outfield spot. Despite his torrid pace at the plate, Franklin will need to be sharp defensively to fill a "super utility" role that could garner him time at both the infield and outfield corner spots in addition to shortstop.

Alvarez was optioned to High-A Palm Beach on Monday, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

Alvarez is being sent back to High-A, as the 22-year-old was never really competing for a roster spot; rather, he was added to the 40-man to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. He'll enter High-A for the first time in 2017 after slashing .323/.404/.476 with 36 steals at Peoria in 2016.

Adames was practicing at first base Monday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

The switch-hitting utility man seems to be pretty low in the pecking order compared to Mark Reynolds, Jordan Patterson and Stephen Cardullo, but this development could add some value to his game as he attempts to win a reserve super-utility job out of spring training. Alexi Amarista also seems to have that market cornered, but given Adames' outstanding Cactus League showing thus far (1.010 OPS, two home runs in 27 plate appearances), he could force the Rockies to open up a spot for him.

Albies went 2-for-2 after replacing Brandon Phillips at second base during Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.

It was a banner day for the next wave of Atlanta prospects, as Ronald Acuna also went 2-for-5 from the leadoff spot. Albies, a 5-foot-9 dynamo who is the team's No. 4 prospect, will likely spend most or all of the season with Triple-A Gwinnett in 2017 after winning the batting title for Double-A Mississippi as the youngest player in the Southern League last season. However, should anything happen to Phillips, the Braves may not hesitate to bring Albies up to the big leagues.

Semien, who has a .346/.333./.538 line through 26 spring at-bats, is focused on getting on base more consistently in 2017, John Shea of SFGate.com reports. "You see if you can shrink the zone a little, wait for your pitch and be more patient instead of being overly aggressive and getting yourself out," Semien said. "You do that, you're probably going to walk a little more and get more hits."

Semien experienced an impressive power surge in 2016, posting career highs in doubles (27), home runs (27), RBI (75), slugging percentage (.435) and OPS (.735). He also set a new high-water mark with 51 walks, which came over 621 plate appearances, and he posted just a .238 average and .300 OBP, numbers he's looking to boost significantly in the coming campaign. The slugging shortstop actually was among the more patient hitters in baseball: The 4.16 pitches per plate appearance he averaged ranked him ninth in the AL and 19th in the majors. However, the veteran had a notable weakness with two-strike at-bats, particularly on full counts, scenarios in which he hit .164 and struck out 29 times. He also hit an anemic .043 on 0-2 counts, .170 in 1-2 counts and .173 in 2-2 counts, further illustrating his struggles with his back against the wall. Semien therefore will look to have greater discipline in those situations, which could propel his all-around game to the next level. "That's probably the next step for him," manager Bob Melvin said of Semien's 3-2 approach. "Obviously, he's gotten to the point where he can get into the count. It's finishing it off and maybe taking a walk and not trying to chase a pitch. Sometimes that's tough for a power guy to do."