MLB Player News

Swanson is just 2-for-25 so far in Cactus League action with 11 strikeouts.

It's been a rough spring for Swanson, who joined the Cubs in the offseason on a seven-year, $177 million deal. Swanson batted .277 for Atlanta last year with 25 home runs, so he should be fine in the long run, though these struggles could carry over into the early part of the regular season as the shortstop gets acclimated to his new surroundings.

Wendle went 1-for-3 with a double in Friday's split-squad game against the Cardinals.

Batting sixth and getting the start at shortstop, Wendle collected only his fourth hit of the spring in 26 at-bats, but three of them have come in his last three games. The 32-year-old has never really held a starting assignment over a full MLB season -- he's topped 500 plate appearances only twice in his career, with his career high being 545 -- and the Marlins' late signing of Jose Iglesias would give them an option at shortstop if Wendle proves he's better suited for a utility role. That said, Wendle hit 11 home runs in 2021 and stole 12 bases in 2022, so he has the skills to be a fantasy asset as a late-round pick if he can keep his starting job.

Shewmake went 2-for-3 with a stolen base in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox.

Getting the start at shortstop and hitting seventh, Shewmake swiped his first bag of the spring on his second attempt. The 25-year-old has put himself in the mix to be Atlanta's Opening Day shortstop with some strong glovework this spring, and he hasn't hurt his case with his bat by going 9-for-27 (.333) with two doubles and a triple, as well as a respectable 2:5 BB:K. Vaughn Grissom has also hit well this spring and offers more upside at the plate, albeit perhaps with shakier defense, so this job battle could come down to the wire in camp.

Shewmake is making a push for Atlanta's starting shortstop job, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Shewmake has an .805 OPS during Grapefruit League play and has impressed the team with his defense at shortstop. He made his fourth start over the last seven games Friday at short, while presumed starter Vaughn Grissom has started just two games over that stretch and has been on the bench for three straight, although he's expected to play Saturday. One of Grissom or Shewmake should be the starter at shortstop for Atlanta and the other will play every day at Triple-A Gwinnett, relegating veteran Orlando Arcia to the bench in either scenario. Shewmake has struggled offensively the last two seasons in the minors, but it sounds like the 2019 first-round pick could be the choice at short if the club prioritizes defense.

One of Vaughn Grissom or Braden Shewmake is expected to open the season as Atlanta's starting shortstop, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports, which would leave Arcia in a bench role.

The veteran infielder began the spring competing with Grissom for the job, but Shewmake's strong defense this spring has pushed him into the mix. Arcia could still see significant playing time this season if whichever youngster begins the season as the starter struggles, but it would likely take injuries or poor performance from both to push him to the top of the depth chart. Arcia slashed .244/.316/.416 in 68 games for Atlanta last season.

Crawford (knee) will resume baseball activities over the weekend, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Crawford has been battling some left knee soreness for the last several days but appears to be making some progress. He should be able to return to Cactus League action sometime next week, and the Giants anticipate him being ready to play shortstop Opening Day.

Castillo (neck) is back in the Diamondbacks' Cactus League lineup Friday versus the Rockies.

He tweaked his neck when he collided with teammate Gerardo Perdomo (chest) on Wednesday, but both players are back in action Friday. Castillo is at second base and batting seventh.

Perdomo (chest) is back in the Diamondbacks' Cactus League lineup Friday against the Rockies.

Pedomo suffered a chest contusion as a result of a collision with Diego Castillo (neck) on Wednesday, but he seems fine. He's playing shortstop and batting ninth against Jose Urena.

DeJong (back) is making progress but there's no timetable for his return to games, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

DeJong is dealing with some lower-back tightness. It's notable that Brendan Donovan has been seeing some action at shortstop lately, which could be an indication the Cardinals think they could need him as a backup there in the event DeJong isn't ready for Opening Day.

Grissom is not starting for Atlanta for the third straight Grapefruit League game Friday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Grissom is healthy and is expected to play Saturday, per manager Brian Snitker. It seems notable that he's started just two of the last seven games at shortstop though, while Braden Shewmake gets another start there Friday. Shewmake has been Atlanta's best defender at the position this spring and has also posted an .805 OPS, although his minor-league track record doesn't suggest he would offer much at the plate with regular playing time. Per Bowman, it will be either Grissom or Shewmake making the roster, with the other playing regularly at Triple-A Gwinnett. It's something to monitor over the final 10 days of camp.