MLB Player News

Lindor went 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBI in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.

The 30-year-old shortstop drove a 2-2 pitch from Steven Matz deep to left-center field in the first inning, giving Lindor his first long ball of the spring. He had a bone spur removed from his elbow in October but came into camp healthy, and he's gone 5-for-22 so far in Grapefruit League action with two doubles in addition to Saturday's homer. Lindor put together his first career 30-30 campaign in 2023 despite the bone spur, and expectations are high for the four-time All-Star this season.

Swanson, who went 1-for-2 with a walk, an RBI and a run scored in a Cactus League game against the Mariners on Friday, is now batting .357 this spring.

Swanson appears to be in midseason form with his bat, as he's gone 5-for-14 so far with four walks and only four strikeouts. The shortstop batted just .244 in his first season with the Cubs in 2023, though he batted .278 a year earlier with Atlanta, so there is room for improvement in that area. Swanson's other numbers were fairly similar last season, and he reached the 20-homer plateau for the third straight year.

Manager Dave Roberts said Lux will primarily play second base with Mookie Betts handling shortstop, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

That's the alignment for Friday's spring game against the Reds, and Roberts described the positioning as "permanent, for now." Lux experienced some troubles throwing the ball from shortstop during spring action, and the Dodgers decided they had seen enough. The 26-year-old should still see plenty of playing time at the keystone, though he may sit against some left-handed pitchers.

Kim (back) is starting at shortstop and batting fifth in Friday's Cactus League game against the Giants.

Kim has been sidelined by back spasms the past few days but is ready to retake the field for Friday's contest. The 28-year-old is shifting to shortstop this season after winning a Gold Glove at second base for the Padres in 2023.

The Rockies optioned Amador to Double-A Hartford on Friday, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Amador received a late promotion to Hartford last season and will return to the affiliate to begin 2024. The 20-year-old spent most of the season at High-A Spokane, where he had a .905 OPS with nine home runs and 12 steals in 54 games.

The Cubs optioned Vazquez to Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Vazquez was added to the 40-man roster in November in order to protect him from being selected during the Rule 5 Draft, but he was unable to carve out a place on Chicago's Opening Day roster. The 24-year-old had an .809 OPS in 66 games at Triple-A last season and is a likely bet to make his MLB debut at some point in 2024.

Manager Dave Roberts wouldn't commit to naming Lux the Dodgers' Opening Day shortstop Thursday, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The Dodgers entered camp fully expecting Lux to start at shortstop on Opening Day. However, recent throwing issues have raised concerns about whether or not Lux is the best option to have in the field. It's possible Lux is simply rusty from missing the entire 2023 campaign due to a torn ACL, and Roberts stated the team is still confident in Lux's defensive abilities, but if Lux continues to struggle, his starting job may be given to Miguel Rojas instead.

Wendle (shoulder) is starting at second base for the Mets' spring training game against Washington on Thursday.

Shoulder soreness has kept Wendle out of Grapefruit League play this spring, but he is now set to make his spring debut. Wendle posted just a .610 OPS during his two seasons with Miami, and he will most likely compete for at-bats as a utility man with the Mets this year.

Arroyo has taken advantage of infield injuries to play early in training camp, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Arroyo is getting playing time due to Jonathan India (foot) and Matt McLain (oblique) still working their way back to game action. Noelvi Marte only recently returned from injury. Arroyo, acquired along with Marte in the trade that sent Luis Castillo to Seattle, has flashed highlight-worthy defense at shortstop. The 20-year-old is 5-for-12 with two doubles, a stolen base, three RBI and more walks (three) than strikeouts (two).

Kim will be held out of action until Friday after experiencing back spasms during drills Tuesday, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Acee says Kim was virtually pain-free by Tuesday evening, but he's being held out Wednesday as a precaution and the Padres are off Thursday. Xander Bogaerts slid over to his old position at shortstop to cover for Kim on Wednesday. Kim has had a nice start to Cactus League play, going 6-for-15 with a home run and two stolen bases.