MLB Player News

Ramirez connected on his first homer of the spring Wednesday.

Ramirez figures to fill a utility role with the Indians following the signing of Juan Uribe but his ability to handle second base, shortstop and third base in addition to left and center field could yield a larger share of at-bats than a typical utility role . He could be a sneaky source of power and speed out of the middle infield in deeper formats if he can grab a semi-regular role.

Manager Pete Mackanin said Asche (oblique) could begin some outfield work Wednesday, the Phillies' official site reports.

Asche is sidelined with an oblique injury that he suffered last week. The Phillies are taking it slow with him to avoid having this turn into a long term issue.

Manager Pete Mackanin said Asche (oblique) could begin some outfield work Wednesday, the Phillies' official site reports.

Asche is sidelined with an oblique injury that he suffered last week. The Phillies are taking it slow with him to avoid having this turn into a long term issue.

Moncada played three innings at second base and had a hit from each side of the plate in an exhibition game against Northeastern University on Monday, the Providence Journal reports.

Moncada was the highlight draw in the second game of a double-header against college teams that featured none of Boston's major-league talent. The man considered the organization's top prospect is not in the major-league camp this spring, but manager John Farrell wanted him Monday and will give him more opportunities when the Red Sox kick off spring games against major-league competition. "With someone who has the talents of Yoan, you'd like to get as much exposure as you can within reason," Farrell said. "I think every opportunity that presents itself that he can come over and get into games, we'd like to take advantage of that."

McMahon is spending time learning first base this spring, the Denver Post reports.

It's likely that McMahon will open 2016 at Double-A Hartford, but with Nolan Arenado entrenched at third base for the foreseeable future, the Rockies want to have a path for McMahon to take over a regular job at the big league level once he's ready to do so. In order to maintain his value, the Rockies are planning on giving McMahon time at both corner-infield spots to begin the season. Regardless of whether he moves off third base permanently, McMahon's bat will carry him to the big leagues. Last season at High-A Modesto, McMahon compiled a .300/.372/.520 line with 18 homers and 75 RBI in 132 games.

Urshela appears set to start the season at Triple-A Columbus now that the Indians have finalized a contract with Juan Uribe.

Urshela struggled at the plate (.608 OPS) after being called up in June last year but his glove work at the hot corner gave him the inside track at a starting role prior to Uribe's signing. He'll head to Triple-A to start the season in order to get regular playing time.

Moustakas is the likely candidate to hit second in the Royals' lineup, Rustin Dodd of The Kansas City Star reports.

Moustakas also started last season in the two-hole, but he promptly tumbled down the lineup when the Royals acquired Ben Zobrist. Alex Gordon has an argument for hitting second this year thanks to a higher on-base percentage, but it looks like the third baseman's stronger power stats and still-respectable OBP will give him an edge. If he does hold on to that spot, he'll continue hitting ahead of Lorenzo Cain, Eric Hosmer, and Kendrys Morales, which can do good things to a player's run output.

Asche will not play in Sunday's exhibition game against the University of Tampa due to a sore oblique, the Phillies' official site reports.

Asche was shut down in the middle of last week due to soreness in his oblique. The Phillies are calling the injury minor, and will give Asche a chance to heal to avoid having this turn into a longer absence.

Suarez is the likely candidate to take over the starting job at third base for the Reds following the offseason trade of Todd Frazier to the White Sox.

Brandon Phillips is still in tow as the Reds' second baseman, and the return of Zack Cozart following a season-ending knee injury in 2015 ultimately fills the shortstop spot. Suarez hit .280/.315/.446 with 13 homers and 48 RBI in 97 games for the Reds last season, taking advantage of the regular playing time he received after Cozart's injury. If he can product at a similar clip with the bat in 2016, it's not unreasonable to think that he could hold the job throughout the year given the organization's lack of viable alternatives.

Asche scaled back his workout routine Thursday because of a sore oblique, CSN Philadelphia reports.

Manager Pete Mackanin said the injury was not a big deal, and that Asche will just back off his activity for a day or two to avoid having the injury become more serious. He is expected to open the year as a member of the Phillies bench.