MLB Player News

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.

Muncy (oblique) was reassigned to minor-league camp Monday, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

After he finishes recovering from his oblique injury, Muncy will likely play at Triple-A Oklahoma City. Muncy went 4-for-14 (.286) with two doubles and a triple for the Dodgers this spring. Muncy spent the entire 2017 season with Oklahoma City and compiled a .309/.414/.491 line over 110 games.

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.

Anderson went 2-for-2 with a walk, a double, a home run, three runs scored and three RBI in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.

It's his second homer and third double of the spring, giving Anderson a robust .640 SLG through 13 games, but perhaps more impressive has been his 7:5 BB:K after he struck out 29.5 percent of the time in his big-league debut last year. Martin Prado (knee) is still expected to be healthy by Opening Day, but the veteran may have to settle for a bench role with the 24-year-old Anderson making a strong case for the starting job at third base.

Sosa was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Sunday.

Sosa played well for the Cardinals this spring, going 7-for-16 with three walks over 11 games. He'll head to Triple-A Memphis for the first time once the season begins. Sosa spent most of the 2017 season at High-A Palm Beach, hitting .285/.329/.347 over 51 games.

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.

Asuaje went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Saturday's contest against the Indians.

Asuaje is batting .367 (11-for-30) with a homer and a steal this spring. His main competition, Cory Spangenberg, is performing equally well, and manager Andy Green hasn't shed light on who might have a leg up in the race up. If Asuaje were to win the job, he wouldn't be more than an empty batting average after hitting just four homers with no steals in 307 at-bats last season in the majors.

Senzel will make his third start of the spring at shortstop Saturday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

The Reds are exposing Senzel to shortstop because they are more than happy with Eugenio Suarez at third base. There's a good chance Senzel reaches the majors this season and having a position other than third base to play will enable him to get consistent at-bats.

Longoria indicated Saturday he is battling left ankle joint soreness and is still considered day-to-day, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Longoria was scratched from Friday's Cactus League game with what was originally reported as a sore heel. Regardless, the injury doesn't appear severe as the 32-year-old said, "It's nothing to be nervous about...When I feel ready I'll play."