MLB Player News

With the news Hanley Ramirez will miss the first two months of the season because of thumb surgery, Dee Gordon is suddenly an interesting Fantasy option again.

Granted, the Dodgers haven't said he'll play in Ramirez's stead, and given his .241 batting average this spring, it's hardly a forgone conclusion. But the Dodgers' alternatives on the left side of the infield are underwhelming at best. Gordon would certainly bring an element of speed to a lineup that's mostly dependent on the home run, and judging by his .405 on-base percentage this spring, he might not even need to hit well to make the most of it.

If I'm hurting for steals late in a Rotisserie draft, I'd take a flier on him.

Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford went 3 for 5 with an RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Padres. He is batting .316 (12 for 38) with a homer and five RBI through 15 spring games.

Crawford hopes to improve over last year, his first full season, when he hit .248 with .304 on-base percentage. Crawford is batting .273 this spring, and he's hitting .321 with a .403 OBP in March. He thinks the improvement is a sign of good things to come.

"I'd like to think it is," said Crawford. "I've hit wherever I've gone in the minors, and I had a good second half last year I'd like to build on. I've really been feeling good, and I've been gaining confidence this spring. I've been in the league a little while, and I think I'm ready to take that next step as a hitter."

With the Diamondbacks trading John McDonald to the Pirates Wednesday, Arizona plans to use a combination of Cliff Pennington and Willie Bloomquist at shortstop this season.

Pennington is batting .225 through 40 Cactus League at-bats, and Willie Bloomquist, who played for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic,i s 9 for 29 (.310) in 10 spring games.

Dodgers shortstop Dee Gordon was held out of workouts Tuesday after suffering a sprained left ankle during Monday's Cactus League game against Arizona, MLB.com reported. Gordon slid awkwardly into home plate but said after the game he was fine before staying on the sideline the next day.

Los Angeles manager Don Mattingly said he is day-to-day. The fleet-footed infielder is projected to begin the season in Triple-A as the team has shifted Hanley Ramirez back to short and Gordon does not play any other position.

The Washington Nationals made another wave of roster cuts Monday and optioned the following players to Triple-A Syracuse: pitchers Ryan Perry, Erik Davis and Yunesky Maya, first baseman Chris Marrero, catcher Jhonatan Solano and outfielder Corey Brown. In addition, the Nationals also reassigned pitcher Ross Ohlendorf and shortstop Zach Walters to their minor-league camp.

The St. Louis Cardinals completed another wave of roster cuts Sunday, optioning second baseman Ryan Jackson and pitcher Keith Butler to Triple-A Memphis. Pitcher John Gast was reassigned to the team's minor-league camp.