MLB Player News

Manager Ron Gardenhire suggested that Candelario could bat seventh regularly this season, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Gardenhire normally admits very little about his regular-season lineup during the spring, but he finally caved and admitted that the lineup he utilized Sunday against the Braves "could be" the regular lineup. In that game, Candelario batted seventh behind James McCann but ahead of Mikie Mahtook and Dixon Machado. Gardenhire said that he'll likely get some tips from the analytics department before settling on a lineup, but he did suggest that Leonys Martin and Miguel Cabrera would be the leadoff and three hole hitters, respectively. Candelario impressed during a short stint in Detroit last season, batting .330 with two homers and 13 RBI in 27 games. His spring showing has been just as impressive, as he's produced a .938 OPS in 13 Grapefruit League contests. Candelario could push his way into a better run-producing spot in the order or even into the two hole (Gardenhire suggested he likes having a switch-hitter in the second spot) as the season rolls along, but it seems like Gardenhire and the Tigers are looking at other options before they give Candelario a shot.

Robinson is likely to serve as the primary left fielder for the Rangers following the demotion of presumptive favorite Willie Calhoun, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

Calhoun could be back up in early May after the Rangers gain an extra year of service time, but for at least a month or so, the left field job is open. Robinson, a left-handed hitter, looks to be the favorite to open on the strong side of a platoon with the right-handed-hitting Ryan Rua. Robinson doesn't have any standout skills, having hit .224/.314/.439 in 48 games his first taste of big-league action last year, but at-bats are gold in AL-only leagues.

Donaldson (illness) isn't listed in the lineup for Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Braves, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Donaldson hasn't played since Saturday after experiencing dehydration and is apparently still in need of additional rest. After being eased into spring training while recovering from a minor shoulder issue, Donaldson has logged just 11 at-bats during Grapefruit League play. If he's able to shake off the illness in the coming days and return to the lineup, Donaldson should suit up at least semi-regularly for the rest of the spring and get in enough at-bats for the Blue Jays to feel comfortable deploying him on an everyday basis when the season begins.

Royals manager Ned Yost suggested Sunday that Moustakas could take some reps at first base during spring training, Rustin Dodd of The Athletic Kansas City reports.

Unless Lucas Duda, who will likely handle the strong side of a platoon at first base if not a full-time role, misses extensive time with an injury, Moustakas shouldn't be expected to make enough starts across the diamond to gain eligibility at another position. Instead, Moustakas remains in line to serve as the Royals' everyday third baseman in 2018, with Yost more likely to deploy the slugger at designated hitter than first base when the 29-year-old receives a break from the hot corner.

Donaldson (illness) isn't listed in the lineup or as an available bench option for Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Donaldson, who has been nursing a minor shoulder issue in spring training, was able to return to the lineup Saturday against the Nationals, but exited early than expected after experiencing dehydration. The Blue Jays are likely just giving him another day to rest and get his energy back up, so he should return to the field at some point early this week.

Donaldson (shoulder) exited Saturday's game against the Nationals due to dehydration, Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com reports.

Donaldson has been battling a shoulder issue throughout camp, but the early exit was apparently unrelated to his shoulder. It's an unusual situation and a potential yellow flag for the veteran third baseman, but it's entirely possible that this was a one-off case of dehydration and that the team didn't feel the need to push things in a Grapefruit League contest.

Donaldson (shoulder) was removed from Saturday's contest against the Nationals after drawing a walk in the bottom of the first inning, Mike Wilner of BlueJaysTalk reports.

Donaldson has been battling a minor right shoulder issue throughout the course of spring camp and it appeared to have cropped up again during Saturday's game. In the top of the first frame, Donaldson fielded a ground ball at third base but was unable to get enough on the throw to nail Victor Robles at first, which shouldn't be scrutinized but isn't a great sign for the 32-year-old.

Moustakas agreed to a one-year, $6.5 million deal with the Royals on Thursday, Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reports.

The surprisingly discounted deal reportedly contains a mutual $15 million option for 2019 while also being fairly incentive-laden in 2018. Moustakas' return to Kansas City is a near worst-case scenario for fantasy purposes, as the rebuilding Royals currently project to roll out one of the worst Opening Day lineups in the league. The 29-year-old should slot in as the team's everyday third baseman and will hit in the heart of the order, but fantasy owners should temper their expectations when it comes to Moustakas repeating his 38-homer campaign from 2017.

Robinson went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's game against Colorado.

Robinson is in the thick of the battle for left field, competing against the team's top prospect, Willie Calhoun, and Ryan Rua. And wouldn't you know it, those three players lead the team in plate appearances this spring. Manager Jeff Banister is getting a good look at all three. The Rangers may let Calhoun simmer at Triple-A Round Rock, where he can work on his defense while letting a platoon of Robinson (against right-handers) and Rua (lefties) play itself out. Long-term, this should be Calhoun's job. Robinson's position versatility -- he played five different positions for Texas last season -- should make him an ideal candidate for a bench spot at the very least. If the Rangers carry a 13-man pitching staff, a guy like Robinson would be useful.

Duffy (back) went 1-for-2 in Tuesday's 9-1 Grapefruit League loss to the Red Sox.

Duffy looked back to full health in his return, adding a nifty play along the third-base line on a Rusney Castillo chopper in the fifth to his single in two at-bats, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports. The oft-injured infielder, who's expected to be the everyday third baseman in 2018, missed all of last season following heel surgery but reports that his recent absence carries no long-term concerns. "Back feels fine, and the heel feels better than when my back started to hurt. I feel great. ... [The back problem] is just one of those things I've dealt with in the past. Sometimes I'll have to take a little time off. Spring training, probably best to just take care of it."