MLB Player News

With the Royals adding Pedro Ciriaco Tuesday, there's a decent chance for AL-only owners to snag a possible starting middle infielder for the remainder of the season. There's plenty of "meh" involved -- the Royals could continue giving Johnny Giavotella and Miguel Tejada the majority of at-bats -- but Ciriaco has some nice potential in batting average and steals, and could end up being a smart add for a Fantasy team weak in MI options. 

Ciriaco hit .293 with 16 steals over 259 at-bats with the Red Sox last year. He was fairly erratic with his batting average in the minors (it evened out to .272), but showed some nice speed potential, stealing 35-plus bases twice and 19 or more five times. 

With Giavotella hitting .206 and Tejada having a nice season but not expected to handle a full-time role at 39, Ciriaco could step in and provide a solid presence at second base for the Royals. In AL-only, the promise of regular at-bats alone should make Ciriaco a nice add in most leagues. But if he can contribute like he did in 2012 with the Red Sox, Ciriaco could be a nice boost for a team sagging in the standings. 

The Royals have claimed third baseman Pedro Ciriaco from the Padres. 

The Padres designated Ciriaco for assignment Friday. In 114 at-bats with the Red Sox and Padres, Ciriaco is hitting .228/.288/.342. 

Red Sox prospect Xander Bogaerts hit his third home run in his last five games with Triple-A Pawtucket Tuesday, ESPN reports. It was his fourth HR since being promoted to Triple-A. 

Bogaerts, however, was still hitting just .195 over his last 10 games entering Tuesday's contest. 

The Padres have acquired infielder Pedro Ciriaco from the Red Sox for a player to be named later, MLB Network reports. Ciriaco hit .216/.293/.353 in 51 at-bats for Boston. The Padres will likely use him at second base as a fill-in for the injured Jedd Gyorko.

Red Sox infield prospect Xander Bogaerts has been promoted to Triple-A.

Bogaerts is considered one of the best prospects in baseball. He was hitting .311/.407/.502 in 219 at-bats in Double-A this year. At 20-years-old, he'll be one of the youngest players in Triple-A.

The Boston Globe reported Wednesday that there are three unnamed teams interested in acquiring infielder Pedro Ciriaco, who was designated for assignment Monday. 

The Red Sox will attempt to work out a trade for Ciriaco in the coming days. 

Red Sox infielder Pedro Ciriaco was designated for assignment Monday to clear a roster spot for Will Middlebrooks, who was activated off the 15-day disabled list. Ciriaco hit .216 with one home run and four RBI in 28 games for Boston.

Red Sox infielder Pedro Ciriaco has played good defense for the team, but his time in the majors may be running short, with Will Middlebrooks nearing his return from the disabled list.

Ciriaco is out of options, so ESPN.com reports Friday the team may opt to designate him for assignment when Middlebrooks returns from the DL. 

Ciriaco is hitting .220 with a .658 OPS in 50 at-bats this season.

Red Sox infielder Pedro Ciriaco ended an 0-for-11 slump with an RBI single in the second Saturday against the Indians. He finished 3 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI in a 7-4 victory. Ciriaco is hitting .231 (6 for 36) with a home run and two RBI in his last 12 games played (six starts).

With Red Sox third baseman Will Middlebrooks hitting the DL, Pedro Ciriaco -- his likely replacement considering the lack of options for the team -- is worth an add in AL-only formats. 

Ciriaco will likely play third base full-time, but already has the all-important shortstop eligibility, which gives him a bump in value when plugged in at the weaker position with his everyday at-bats.

While Ciriaco is hitting just .175 in spotty playing time this year, he hit .293 last season, and should see his average improve with regular at-bats. He also had 16 steals in 2012, and showed off some speed in the minors, with two seasons of 35 or more steals. He won't put up eye-popping stats, but Ciriaco has a nice chance to fill your stat sheet with average and speed for as long as Middlebrooks is out.