MLB Player News

Mariners manager Scott Servais expects Crawford (shoulder) to return Monday, Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports 710 AM reports.

Crawford has been out of the lineup with what Servais described as a "soggy" shoulder, but the Mariners have said that the injury -- whatever it is -- isn't considered serious, and a return to the lineup Monday would seem to verify those claims. The shortstop's return becomes even more important for Seattle with Dylan Moore (oblique) likely to miss the first few weeks of the year.

Diaz is hitting .385 (10-for-26) with a double, four RBI, four walks and two runs across 10 Cactus League games.

Diaz's performance at the plate is a welcome sight after the Athletics committed $14.5 million to him through 2024 this offseason. The versatile infielder is one of several veteran signings by an Athletics team in transition, and he should serve as a decent source of power numbers as he fills in across the infield and at designated hitter during the upcoming campaign.

Volpe may be the favorite to make the Opening Day roster as the Yankees' starting shortstop, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

With Isiah Kiner-Falefa transitioning to a utility role, New York's starting shortstop job is a two-way battle between Volpe and Oswald Peraza. Though Volpe was a longshot to break camp with the club coming into the spring, he may now be the favorite for the role as the result of an excellent spring during which he's slashed .333/.460/.667 with two homers, four doubles, three RBI, four stolen bases and a 6:7 BB:K through 37 plate appearances. Peraza is considered the better defender and has put in more time in the minors, but he hasn't looked as good offensively in Grapefruit League play, slashing .227/.370/.409 over 27 plate appearances. Though the position battle is far from decided, Volpe has earned praise from both teammates and management this spring, with team captain Aaron Judge saying of him, "My thing has always been, if you're the best player, it shouldn't matter your age. You should be up helping the New York Yankees."

Lopez is considered day-to-day due to left groin soreness, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Lopez picked up the injury while playing for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic. He'll be given a couple days off before being re-evaluated. Lopez is competing for a reserve role with the Blue Jays.

Mondesi (knee) will not play in any Grapefruit League games this spring, Red Sox manager Alex Cora told Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic on Friday.

Things had been pointing in that direction for a while now. Cora also added that there remains no timetable for Mondesi's return as he works his way back from last year's ACL tear. The infielder continues to work out and seems to be progressing fine, but fantasy managers should count on him missing at least the first month or so of the season. Christian Arroyo is in line for starts at second base.

Anderson visited Driveline immediately before spring training to work on his swing, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Anderson got off to a scorching start in 2022 but faltered to only a .259 average and .257 wOBA across the second half of the season. That dip in production was at least in part due to a groin injury that prevented him being comfortable at the plate, though Anderson is confident he regained his form this offseason. Encouragingly, Anderson has hit well with Team USA at the World Baseball Classic, maintaining a .364 average with two extra-base hits and a stolen base.

Camargo was scratched from the Royals' Cactus League lineup Thursday due to left side tightness, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

It's terrible timing for Camargo, who appeared to have a good shot to make the Opening Day roster. Now, he might be dealing with an oblique injury which could sideline him for a while. Clay Dungan has replaced him at shortstop in Thursday's contest.

Mateo is hitting .217 (5-for-23) through nine Grapefruit League games.

Mateo's got two things going for him -- defense and speed, though he's yet to attempt a steal in spring training. The shortstop went 35-for-44 on the basepaths in 2022, but his .221/.267/.379 slash line didn't inspire much confidence. He opens 2023 atop the depth chart at shortstop, but a cold spell at the plate could see him slip into a short-side platoon role if Gunnar Henderson, Ramon Urias and Adam Frazier are all hitting well. Mateo should still get his looks for steals, but he's never posted an OPS higher than .670 in the majors, so he can't be counted on for a ton of category coverage.

Crawford (shoulder) hopes to return to playing shortstop on Sunday or Monday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Crawford is serving as the Mariners' designated hitter again Thursday in Cactus League play as he protects his achy right shoulder. He seems to be feeling better, though, and hopes to be able to play the field in a few days.

Franco entered spring training fully healthy, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

Franco was limited to only 344 plate appearances in 2022 due to a combination of quadriceps and wrist injuries. Frustrated by being sidelined, Franco focused his offseason work on durability with the goal being to remain in the lineup more regularly. While he had a disappointing 2022 campaign, Franco still managed six home runs, eight stolen bases and a .745 OPS in the partial year.