MLB Player News

Turner is expected to begin the season hitting third in the batting order, Maria Torres of The Athletic reports.

The shortstop spent the majority of 2020 hitting leadoff for the Nats, but this spring, manager Dave Martinez expressed a desire to move Turner into a run-producing spot and has followed through. It's hard to argue the .335/.394/.588 slash line Turner delivered last year doesn't belong in the heart of the order, but the success of the switch will likely depend more on how Victor Robles fares as the team's new table-setter. If Turner does find a new permanent home in the No. 3 spot, hitting behind Juan Soto rather than the bottom of the order should give him a massive boost in RBI opportunities, but it's not yet clear how it might impact his stolen-base total.

Ahmed (knee) fielded groundballs and took regular batting practice Tuesday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Ahmed hasn't played in a game since March 24 and had just 21 spring at-bats, but Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo believes there's a strong possibility the shortstop plays Opening Day. If he's unavailable, Josh Rojas is the most likely fill-in.

The Padres informed Mateo on Monday that he will be included on the Opening Day roster, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

Mateo went just 4-for-28 at the dish during his debut season in the majors in 2020, but he earned his way onto the Opening Day roster after coming through with a .316/.414/.456 slash line and three steals (albeit in six attempts) over 57 at-bats this spring. The 25-year-old's speed and defensive versatility should make him a valuable late-inning bench piece, but he's unlikely to get a look as an everyday player in 2021.

Lindor turned down a 10-year, $325 million contract extension from the Mets, Deesha Thosar of The New York Daily News reports.

The All-Star shortstop had set a deadline of Opening Day to negotiate a new deal with the Mets, and what team sources described as their "best and final offer" fell short of what Lindor was looking for, which is reportedly closer to 12 years and $400 million. While that doesn't necessarily mean he will head elsewhere in 2022, it does mean the Mets will have plenty of competition for his services next offseason. Lindor posted a blistering .370/.433/.630 slash line through 60 plate appearances this spring with four homers and a 6:6 BB:K as he prepares for his first campaign outside of Cleveland.

Swanson (calf) will start at shortstop and bat sixth in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox.

Atlanta manager Brian Snitker suggested that Swanson was scratched from the lineup for Monday's game Boston as a precaution while he managed a sore right calf, and the 27-year-old's return to the lineup a day later seemingly confirms as much. Snitker is rolling out a starting nine Tuesday that would appear to resemble the lineup for Thursday's Opening Day game against the Phillies, so Swanson looks like he'll begin the season batting in the bottom half of the order in most games.

Ahmed (knee) executed fundamental drills Monday and was scheduled to run the bases Tuesday, Jose M. Romero of the Arizona Republic reports.

Ahmed sat out Monday's spring game against the Cubs, but the Diamondbacks are hopeful for his availability Opening Day on Thursday in San Diego. Josh Rojas, who is expected to have a major role at second base, started at shortstop while Asdrubal Cabrera started at second.

Marcano has made San Diego's Opening Day roster, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Marcano earned his spot on the big-league roster to start the 2021 season by hitting .410 with one home run, eight RBI and one stolen base in 42 at-bats. He'll serve as a utility man to open the campaign.

Seager went 1-for-2 with a walk and a solo home run off Andrew Heaney in the Dodgers' 6-5 exhibition win over the Angels on Sunday.

Seager has ridden the wave from his massive postseason into spring training. After slugging eight home runs over his 18 playoff appearances in the Dodgers' run to the World Series last fall, the shortstop has now left the yard seven times through 20 Cactus League contests. Even if more of those home runs begin to turn into doubles once the regular season begins, Seager's standing as the No. 2 hitter in a deep lineup behind standout leadoff man Mookie Betts should put the 26-year-old is good position to surpass his previous career high in RBI (87 in 2019).

Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said he expects Swanson (calf) to return to the lineup for Tuesday's Grapefruit League finale against the Red Sox, David O'Brien of The Athletic repots.

Swanson was initially scheduled to play in the first half of a two-game set with Boston on Monday, but he was scratched ahead of the contest due to a sore right calf. According to Snitker, Swanson first experienced the injury Sunday and had some lingering tightness Monday following his pregame warmup, so Atlanta decided to play things safe with the shortstop and held him out. Snitker wasn't concerned about the injury, noting that Swanson likely would have played Monday if it had been a regular-season game.

Berti has gone 10-for-24 (.417) in Grapefruit League play with two doubles, a triple, a 9:8 BB:K and four stolen bases in five attempts.

Jazz Chisholm emerged as the winner of the battle for the Marlins' starting second-base job, but Berti will provide a veteran presence off the bench behind the younger infielder. The 31-year-old could see fairly regular action as he spots in all around the diamond, and with 27 steals in 116 big-league games during his career, Berti offers stolen-base potential later in fantasy drafts after the elite speedsters are off the board.