MLB Player News

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."

Duffy (back) will start at third base and bat fifth in the Tampa Bay lineup in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against Boston, Steve Carney of Sports Radio 620 WDAE reports.

Duffy entered spring training at full strength after being sidelined for the entire 2017 season due to an injured heel, but appeared in only three Grapefruit League games before being shut down last week after experiencing back spasms. The infielder downplayed the severity of the issue and was never expected to be sidelined for long, so his reentry into the lineup Tuesday should be taken as a sign that the back injury is no longer a concern. Duffy's track record on the health front provides pessimism about his ability to hold up for a full campaign, but the Rays seem content to deploy him as a full-time third baseman in 2018 while he remains healthy. He'll likely occupy a prominent spot in a Tampa Bay lineup that shipped out several key regulars earlier in the offseason.

Donaldson (shoulder) will bat third and man third base in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Braves, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

It marks the spring debut at third base for Donaldson, who had made each of his previous three starts in Grapefruit League play at designated hitter. Donaldson should see his reps at third base pick up as Opening Day draws nearer, but his veteran status ensures the Blue Jays won't overwork him during spring training as manager John Gibbons looks to assess fringier options on the roster.

Plouffe (intercostal) is batting sixth during Monday's Cactus League game against the Giants.

It appears Plouffe is finally past the left intercostal strain that has kept him on the shelf since Feb. 25. Now that he's healthy, he'll look to earn an Opening Day roster spot with the Rangers as a reserve infielder.