MLB Player News

Hernandez appears likely to be next in line to start at shortstop should Corey Seager (knee) not be ready for Opening Day.

Hernandez is just 2-for-20 so far this spring, but there are no real obvious alternatives on the projected 25-man roster unless Charlie Culbertson makes the team.

Manager Kevin Cash said that Forsythe is one of the many candidates for the Rays' leadoff spot in 2016, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Forsythe didn't bat leadoff a single time in 2015, staying primarily at the cleanup or fifth spot in the batting order. The 29-year-old profiles decently as a leadoff hitter given his .359 OBP last season, but the career-high 68 RBI he compiled last season could take a hit, while his runs scored would tick up if the change does come to fruition.

Arroyo went yard in Tuesday's spring training win over the Reds, finishing with two hits, two runs scored, and two RBI.

Arroyo is coming off of his best minor league season since being drafted in the first round of the 2013 MLB draft. He slashed .304/.344/.459 with nine homers, 42 RBI, and five steals in 409 plate appearances for High-A San Jose. While he won't make the major league roster come April, a strong spring could propel him to either Double-A Richmond or Triple-A Sacramento. Arroyo - a natural middle infielder - projects to develop an offensive game similar to current Giants' second baseman Joe Panik, hitting for average with gap power and light speed. He got into Tuesday's game as a third baseman, and could be used at the hot corner when he eventually does make it to the majors. Arroyo is considered the Giants' top positional prospect, and currently ranks No. 62 in Baseball America's Top 100 list.

Sweeney has a chance to earn more playing time with Aaron Altherr set to miss 4-to-6 months with a wrist injury, the PhillyVoice reports.

Sweeney played in 37 games with the Phillies last season after coming over from the Dodgers in the Chase Utley deal. He showed some pop in his limited time in the majors, but also struck out an unsightly 27.6% of the time. He's continued to struggle with the bat thus far this spring, having struck out six times in five games. He may need some additional time in the minors before the Phillies give him another opportunity.

Manager Scott Servais suggested Marte will bat second for the Mariners this season, the Tacoma News-Tribune's Bob Dutton reports. "The speed feature at the top is really a nice element to add in front of the core of our lineup," Servais said.

Servais likes the idea of keeping his speed guys together, with Leonys Martin batting ninth, Nori Aoki batting leadoff, and Marte batting second in front of Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz, Kyle Seager and Adam Lind. This is excellent news for Marte's fantasy prospects, as he will not only be a major contributor in runs and steals, but he'll also get more RBI opportunities than he would if he was batting eighth or ninth.

Albies has made a strong impression on the Braves' coaching staff this spring, MLB.com reports. "He's the talk of the coaching staff after we come in after watching them play," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "The guys talk about the maturity, the talent and the ability. He's pretty good. Then, we get [former Braves manager Bobby Cox] in the room and we say, 'hey, Skip, you took a 19-year-old up with you, didn't you?'"

Andruw Jones was the player Gonzalez was referencing. Chances are, Albies will begin the year at either High-A Carolina or Double-A Mississippi, depending on where the club sends top prospect Dansby Swanson, but Albies has said that his goal is to reach the majors as a teenager. Both Albies and Swanson are expected to start off the season playing shortstop in the minors, but one of the two may ultimately land at second base long term.

Altuve went 1-for-3 with an RBI in his Grapefruit League debut Friday against the Cardinals.

The three-time All-Star will either lead off or hit out of the two-hole for the Astros this season ahead of Carlos Correa and Carlos Gomez.

Tomlinson will get a long look at shortstop this spring in an effort to make him the primary backup to Brandon Crawford, CSN Bay Area reports.

Tomlinson got off to a good start with his first hit of the spring and some smooth plays at short. He broke out in 2015 filling in for Joe Panik, slashing .303/.358/.404 in 178 at-bats. With Panik healthy for the start of the 2016 season, the Giants would like Tomlinson (a natural second baseman) to be their primary backup down the middle. He won't have much value if Crawford and Panik are healthy, but he would be an intriguing pickup if either went down due to Tomlinson's solid bat and plus speed.

Nationals manager Dusty Baker fell just short of naming Espinosa his Opening Day shortstop following Monday's intrasquad game, Jamal Collier of MLB.com reports.

This isn't much of a surprise, but the question for the Nats at shortstop is more when they intend to bring up top prospect Trea Turner rather than if. Espinosa may be the starter at the beginning of April, but his stint could be a short one.

Adames is among the candidates being considered to fill the temporary vacancy the Rockies may have at shortstop to begin the season if Jose Reyes is suspended.

Trevor Story reached the 20-20 plateau between Double-A and Triple-A last season, but the Rockies may want him to receive additional seasoning in the minors early on to avoid using an entire year of service time. Meanwhile, Adams hit .311/.362/.438 with 11 homers and 11 steals in 116 games at Triple-A Albuquerque last season, but struggled in his limited chances with the Rockies to the tune of a .245/.298/.302 line in 53 at-bats. That he's already debuted in the big leagues should at least be a small mark in Adames' favor, but he'll need to prove ready to handle the assignment this spring.