MLB Player News

Donovan will start at shortstop for the Cardinals when Masyn Winn has a day off, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Winn's off days will be few and far between, but since the Cardinals aren't carrying a traditional backup shortstop on the roster, Donovan is poised for some reps there. Donovan does have some limited experience at shortstop, having made seven starts there in his career but just one over the last two seasons. It opens up the possibility of Donovan gaining additional position eligibility in fantasy. He will enter the season with eligibility at second base and the outfield and could add shortstop and third base to the list.

Gorman's playing time could be reduced as a result of Victor Scott being named the Cardinals' starting center fielder, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

With the club committing to Scott in center field, that means Lars Nootbaar will primarily play left field and Brendan Donovan will receive the bulk of his starts at second base. That leaves the designed hitter spot for Gorman, but it sounds like Alec Burleson will be the priority there. Gorman should still see some starts versus right-handed pitching, but he will not be in the lineup regularly. The 24-year-old finished with a .671 OPS and 37.6 percent strikeout rate last season and has a .553 OPS this spring.

Campbell has earned a spot on Boston's Opening Day roster, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Campbell will crack the team's initial 26-man roster, as expected, likely slotting in as the starting second baseman most games. The 22-year-old is one of Boston's top prospects, and although he batted .167 with 18 strikeouts over 48 at-bats in 20 games during the spring, Campbell will get the nod Thursday. He'll likely cede an occasional start to David Hamilton at second base, but the Red Sox likely wouldn't have Campbell open the season on their major-league roster if they didn't have every intention of giving him an extended run in the lineup.

Gasper received six stitches for a left ankle laceration after leaving Sunday's spring game against the Red Sox, Phil Miller of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

The 29-year-old collided with teammate Brandon Winokur while attempting to field a groundball and appeared to catch a spike. Gasper was acquired from the Red Sox in December and hit well during spring training with a .289/.404/.395 slash line in 47 plate appearances.

Gorman (illness) is starting at second base and batting fifth in Sunday's spring game against the Nationals, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Gorman has been battling an illness the past few days but will return to the lineup for the Cardinals' final Grapefruit League game. He's expected to see regular at-bats against right-handed pitching this year, though he's struggled to a .585 OPS across 17 games during spring training.

Gelof will undergo surgery Monday to repair a fractured hamate bone in his right hand, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Initial X-rays came back negative after Gelof was hit by a pitch on the right hand Wednesday, but additional imaging revealed the fracture. The 25-year-old doesn't have an official timeline for his return but should be sidelined for at least the first month of the season.

The Cardinals optioned Fermin to Triple-A Memphis on Sunday.

It was reported Friday that Fermin had made St. Louis' Opening Day roster as a utility player, but he'll end up beginning the campaign at Triple-A. The 25-year-old could be up in the majors when the Cardinals need some infield depth.

Rojas (toe) remains out of Chicago's spring lineup Sunday and is likely to begin the season on the injured list, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The 30-year-old sustained a hairline fracture in his right big toe in mid-March, and it appears he won't have enough time to get healthy before Thursday's season opener. Once healthy, Rojas is expected to operate as the primary second baseman against right-handed pitching for the White Sox. Lenyn Sosa and Brooks Baldwin are the main candidates to fill in at the keystone in the meantime.

Norby is experiencing soreness in his left oblique and will undergo medical imaging Sunday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

The 24-year-old exited Saturday's Grapefruit League game with the injury, putting his availability for Opening Day in jeopardy. Even if Norby has avoided a serious injury, the proximity to the start of the season could mean he's not ready for Thursday's series opener versus Pittsburgh.

Campbell started at second base and went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's spring game against Tampa Bay.

Campbell started at second base for second straight day, which at this stage of spring training is a positive sign he'll open the season as the team's primary second baseman. In addition to swatting his first Grapefruit League home run, Campbell showed off his glove with a diving stop to snare a liner in the first inning. Another hint that he's won the job is that he'll join the club on its trip to Monterrey, Mexico, for exhibition games Monday and Tuesday, per Ian Browne of MLB.com. Campbell's spring training batting line (.174/.304/.587) doesn't inspire confidence, but those numbers didn't factor much into the decision. Boston manager Alex Cora noted Campbell had been late on fastballs all spring but has shown recent improvement in that area.