MLB Player News

Fletcher leads the battle to be the Angels' primary shortstop this season, though he'll play some second base as well, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Fletcher primarily played second base last season but has 73 career starts at shortstop, grading out as a bit better than average at the position according to both UZR and DRS. If he's the team's main shortstop this season, that leaves a battle for second base between a number of players including Luis Rengifo, Tyler Wade, Jack Mayfield and Matt Duffy.

Baez is batting third in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies, and Detroit manager A.J. Hinch said this may resemble his Opening Day lineup, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

After he signed a six-year, $140 million deal with Detroit in November, there was no doubt that Baez would bat high in the lineup, but it wasn't clear exactly where he'd slot in regularly. If Hinch's Saturday lineup is any indication, his new shortstop will be the No. 3 hitter most days, with Robbie Grossman batting second and Jeimer Candelario hitting cleanup. This could change, of course, but Baez should get plenty of chances to produce no matter who's around him in the order.

Witt went 2-for-3 with a three-run home run and two runs scored in Thursday's 5-4 win over the Reds.

With homers in back-to-back games, Witt is using his power to make a case for the Opening Day roster. He's added five RBI, three runs scored and a double in four spring training games so far. For now, Witt is penciled in as the starting third baseman to begin 2022 -- he's done well to show he belongs so far after a quick rise through the minors.

Story will be away from camp for the next few days due to the birth of his child, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Previous reports indicated that Story would make his spring debut Saturday, but that will now be pushed back a few more days. His late signing with the Red Sox means he already didn't have much time to get up to speed by Opening Day, so it's possible he's eased into things with an extra off day or two at the beginning of the campaign.

Story will appear in his first spring training game for Boston on Saturday against the Rays, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Story, who officially signed with the Red Sox on Wednesday, took at-bats in a minor-league game Thursday and will do so again Friday. After his Grapefruit League debut Saturday, he'll head back to the back fields Sunday before the Red Sox determine whether he's ready for full-time action. Boston manager Alex Cora has not committed to a specific spot in the batting order for Story, who batted in the heart of the Rockies lineup last year -- 75 times at cleanup, 49 times out of the five-hole and 15 times hitting third.

Downs was optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Downs opened camp with the big-league club but will now move over to the minor-league side. The 23-year-old spent last season at Worcester and struggled with a .605 OPS and 32.3 percent strikeout rate in 99 games, and he may need a better showing in 2022 to have chance of making his MLB debut.

Smith, who arrived from the Blue Jays in the Matt Chapman trade Wednesday, is one of the primary candidates to fill the Athletics' third base job, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The 25-year-old was in line to compete for the Blue Jays' starting third base job before the trade, and he now reportedly has a strong chance of succeeding the player he was moved for. Smith has logged plenty of time at shortstop during his minor-league career, and he's already made 14 big-league appearances at the hot corner, all last season. Smith struggled with the bat during his 18-game cup of coffee with Toronto (.094/.194/.188), but he'd earned the promotion courtesy of his .285 average, .931 OPS, 52 extra-base hits and 69 RBI in 94 games at Triple-A Buffalo.

Crawford and the Mariners avoided arbitration Tuesday by agreeing to a one-year, $4.85 million contract, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Crawford will more than double his salary in his second year of arbitration eligibility. While his profile is still driven by his defense, he's coming off a year in which he produced an above-average batting line for the first time, as his .273/.338/.376 triple slash was good for a 103 wRC+.

Diaz signed a one-year, $4.45 million contract with the Astros on Tuesday, avoiding arbitration, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The agreement means Diaz will avoid arbitration in his final year of eligibility. The utility infielder is coming off a season in which he hit .259/.317/.405 in 84 games, good for a 99 wRC+.

Mondesi agreed to a one-year, $3 million contract with Kansas City on Monday, avoiding arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Mondesi struggled to stay healthy a season ago, and with his contract now in order, he can focus on his play. It's already been reported early in camp that he's in line for the starting job at shortstop, though the Royals may also elect to give him looks around the infield given his versatility. It'll also be worth keeping an eye on whether Kansas City plans to grant Mondesi regular rest, given his past injuries.