MLB Player News

Despite his hot start this spring, Cruz may still open the year at Triple-A, according to the Associated Press. "There's still development to be had there," manager Derek Shelton said. "Oneil is going to have an impact on our club this year at some point. When that is, I don't think any of us know."

Cruz has already hit two impressive home runs in spring training and he has zero strikeouts or walks through two games. According to the report, both Shelton and general manager Ben Cherington have said they want Cruz to get experience playing the outfield, and it would make more sense for him to get those reps at Triple-A. For his part, Cruz is adamant that he's a shortstop. "I feel like I've demonstrated a lot," Cruz said, "but I guess I've just got to continue demonstrating." Kevin Newman and Cole Tucker are the other competitors for the starting spot at shortstop. While the team is pumping the brakes on the idea of Cruz breaking camp in the majors, he could probably force its hand if he continues to dominate at the plate.

Barrero underwent surgery Tuesday to repair the hook of his hamate bone in his left hand, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Barrero could have had the chance to push for a starting role to open the season, but he'll now be on the injured list until at least early May. Kyle Farmer looks to be safe at shortstop in Barrero's absence.

Rojas (finger) is included in Miami's lineup for Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets, batting ninth and starting at shortstop.

Early in the offseason, Rojas was sent in for an MRI after sustaining an apparent injury to a finger on his left hand, but he seemingly avoided surgery and reported to spring training at full health. He'll be making his second appearance of the spring, after previously playing Saturday and going 1-for-2 with a double and a walk in a 10-2 win over the Astros. Rojas served as the leadoff man for that contest, but he'll check in at the bottom of the order Monday while the Marlins give Jazz Chisholm a spin in the table-setting role.

Abrams hit a solo home run as a pinch hitter in the ninth inning in San Diego's Cactus League loss to Milwaukee on Sunday.

Abrams connected on a shot to left field off Brewers reliever Dylan File in his only at-bat of the game. The Padres' top prospect also homered Saturday and has gone 4-for-6 with the pair of long balls and three RBI across three games this spring. Abrams hasn't yet shown much power in the minors -- he hit just two homers in 183 plate appearances last season -- but has the potential to grow that tool given his ability to make hard contact and his developing strength. He hasn't yet played above the Double-A level and is expected to open the 2022 campaign in the minors, but a strong showing could lead to a call-up sometime in 2022.

Barrero has a hamate injury in his left hand and is expected to miss approximately six weeks, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Barrero didn't appear in the first few Cactus League games due to left wrist soreness, and the issue will force him to miss time to begin the regular season. The 23-year-old will receive a second opinion from a hand specialist Monday, but it appears as though he'll be unavailable for the first few weeks of the regular season. Barrero should have a chance to carve out at-bats once he returns to full health, but Donovan Solano should see a slight uptick in playing time to begin the year.

Urena got the start at third base in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets, going 1-for-2 with a double and a run scored.

The two-bagger came off starting pitcher Josh Walker, and it was already Urena's second double of the spring after he laced one off the Marlins' Cody Poteet on Friday. With Carter Kieboom (forearm) currently sidelined and likely to miss the beginning of the season, Nationals manager Dave Martinez is considering all his options at third base, and Urena is competing with utility player Ehire Adrianza and non-roster invitee Maikel Franco for a possible Opening Day starting assignment. Urena spent all of last season at Triple-A Buffalo in the Blue Jays organization, slashing .272/.310/.435, and the 26-year-old infielder has a .253/.300/.336 slash line over 263 big-league plate appearances.

Adrianza will get more reps than expected at third base this spring with Carter Kieboom (forearm) sidelined, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports.

Kieboom was the presumed starter at the hot corner, but since he's now likely to miss Opening Day, Nationals manager Dave Martinez will take a look at Adrianza, Maikel Franco and Richard Urena as possible replacements. Adrianza put together a .247/.327/.401 slash line over 209 plate appearances in a utility role for Atlanta last season, seeing action at second base, third base, shortstop and all three outfield spots.

Manager David Bell said Saturday that Barrero hasn't yet appeared in a Cactus League game due to left wrist soreness, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Bell said that the 23-year-old will be re-evaluated in the coming days. Once he's fully healthy, he should see increased opportunities for playing time after the Reds traded Eugenio Suarez to the Mariners on Monday.

Swanson isn't interested in discussing a contract extension during the season, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The shortstop will be a free agent next offseason, but Swanson suggested Friday he didn't want the distraction of a contract negotiation. "I haven't even thought about it," he said. "But my off-the-cusp answer would be no. There's no point in having extra distractions. This game's hard enough as it is. You want to put all your energy into the game and your teammates. And that's the real reason why you do play, is for your teammates and to win. So if things are taking away from that focus, then it's not worth it." Swanson posted career-best power numbers last season, but paired his 27 homers and 88 RBI with a .248/.311/.449 slash line. Assuming Atlanta doesn't lock him up before Opening Day, the 28-year-old could be headed for a big payday if he keeps his power gains and continues to play strong defense in 2022.

Ahmed is starting at shortstop and batting fifth Saturday against the Angels, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

He finished last season on the shelf with a shoulder injury, so it's good to see him back to full health. Ahmed will face competition from Geraldo Perdomo for playing time at shortstop early this season.