MLB Player News

Berti will slot back into a utility role since Tim Anderson signing with the Marlins on Thursday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Adding a shortstop this offseason always seemed to be the plan for Miami, as Berti would be a poor fit as the starter even after playing a career-high 64 games at the position in 2023. The 34-year-old has topped 400 plate appearances in each of the last two seasons while seeing time at second base, third base, shortstop and all three outfield positions, although in fantasy leagues with a 20-game threshold for qualification, he'll only be eligible at third and short to begin 2024. The bigger question for his value will be whether he can rebound on the basepaths -- after swiping 41 bags on 46 attempts in 2022, Berti failed to take advantage of the new rules last season and went just 16-for-22 on steal attempts despite maintaining an elite sprint speed (95th percentile).

Gauthier is listed as an available bench player Thursday in the Dodgers' Cactus League opener versus the Padres, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Gauthier didn't appear in any minor-league games after Sept. 14 last season due to a broken pinkie finger, but he arrived at spring training with no restrictions and is attending Dodgers camp as a non-roster invitee. The 24-year-old isn't a serious candidate for the Dodgers' Opening Day roster and is likely to be assigned to Double-A Tulsa or Triple-A Oklahoma City to begin the 2024 campaign. After a mid-season promotion from High-A Great Lakes, Gauthier slashed .293/.411/.433 with six home runs and 15 stolen bases in 392 plate appearances for Tulsa last year before being shut down with the finger injury.

Anderson agreed to a one-year, $5 million contract with the Marlins on Thursday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

The fit is sensible, as the Marlins desperately needed a shortstop and Anderson was in need of a starting opportunity, which he likely hopes will allow him to show his dreadful 2023 season was an aberration. Prior to delivering a disastrous .245/.286/.296 slash line last year, Anderson had slashed .318/.347/.474 over his prior four campaigns. The 30-year-old will settle in as Miami's everyday shortstop, pushing Jon Berti back to a utility role.

Cruz is participating without restrictions in spring camp, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Cruz was able to play in only nine games before fracturing his left fibula in 2023. After suffering a few setbacks, he's been able to participate fully in all fielding and batting drills. Manager Derek Shelton has acknowledged that Cruz is battling some rust, so the team plans to get him more live reps as the spring progresses. He'll be locked in as the Pirates' starting shortstop so long as he remains healthy in 2024.

McLain will be sidelined for the next 5-to-7 days after tweaking his right oblique, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

It's the same oblique which caused a premature end to McLain's rookie season. An MRI came back clean, and Reds manager David Bell expressed confidence that McLain should be ready by the time Opening Day rolls around. However, more clarity on the young infielder's condition should be available following the 5-to-7 day shutdown period.

Arizona general manager Mike Hazen said Lawlar would need consistent at-bats if he were to make the Opening Day roster, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Lawlar was left off Gilbert's initial roster projection, which generated pushback from unhappy readers. Gilbert explained his projection was based on the language used by Hazen regarding the Diamondbacks' prospect. It's natural for the organization to give Lawlar a path to consistent playing time, but that's unlikely to happen if he's backing up Geraldo Perdomo at shortstop -- manager Torey Lovullo confirmed Perdomo would be the starter last week -- and Eugenio Suarez at third base. Given that scenario, it makes sense for the Diamondbacks to have Lawlar play everyday at Triple-A Reno, where he had just 80 plate appearances in 2023.

Williams will get work in big-league camp at both shortstop and center field, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

With Francisco Lindor signed through 2031, Williams will likely have to move off shortstop when he gets to the majors. The Mets also indicated the 20-year-old top prospect would not get reps at second base this spring, so it looks as though center field will be his eventual defensive home. "I don't really care," Williams said Friday. "Whatever gets me to the big leagues the fastest." In his first full professional season after being selected with the 14th overall pick in 2022, Williams slashed .263/.425/.451 in 121 games across three levels last year with 13 homers and 45 steals, finishing the campaign at Double-A Binghamton. He'll likely spend most of 2024 in the high minors, but a late-season debut in the majors would set him up to replace Harrison Bader in center for the Mets in 2025.

Lux has been cleared to ditch the heavy knee brace he had been wearing on his surgically repaired right knee, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

He is still wearing a compression sleeve, however. Lux missed the entire 2023 season following surgery to repair the ACL and LCL in his knee, but he's full-go this spring and is slated to open the season as the Dodgers' starting shortstop.

Manager Torey Luvollo said Friday that Perdomo will begin the season as Arizona's primary shortstop, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.comreports.

Top prospect Jordan Lawlar made his MLB debut last season and will soon receive an extended look in the big leagues, but Perdomo's .712 OPS during the regular season last year and .754 OPS during the playoffs will help him keep the starting gig at shortstop for now. Perdomo totaled six home runs, 47 RBI, 71 runs and 16 steals in 144 contests, and he has a limited fantasy ceiling.

Schmitt is in the mix to be the Giants' starting shortstop, though he begins the spring behind Marco Luciano on the depth chart, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Schmitt is a versatile defender who could also slot in at second base or third base. He appeared in 90 games for the Giants as a rookie last season, posting a .206/.255/.324 slash line with five home runs, 30 RBI, 28 runs scored, 15 doubles and two stolen bases. Schmitt could end up being a utility option, but his strong defense should allow him to open the season in the majors.