MLB Player News

Seager (elbow, hip) went 1-for-2 with a home run and two RBI on Wednesday in the Dodgers' 4-4 tie with the Cubs in Cactus League play.

The Dodgers have been taking it slowly with Seager this spring while he's worked through the final phases of his recovery from Tommy John and hip surgery, but he finally received clearance to play with the big club after logging action on the back fields beforehand. Seager's long ball off Cole Hamels will get most of the attention, but it's probably more encouraging that he played six innings at shortstop rather than being deployed as a designated hitter. He'll likely get in a full game in the field before the exhibition slate comes to a close and should face no limitations for the start of the regular season.

Seager (elbow) is starting at shortstop and hitting third Wednesday against the Cubs.

As expected, Seager is set to make his Cactus League debut after getting up to speed in minor-league action. The shortstop also plans to participate in the team's three-game exhibition Freeway Series prior to the beginning of the regular season. Barring any setbacks, Seager should be starting at shortstop for the Dodgers on Opening Day.

Herrera's ability to play center field could give him an advantage in the battle for a bench job with the Marlins, Wells Dusenbury of The Sun-Sentinel reports.

He hasn't done much at the plate this spring -- Herrera is slashing .216/.293/.297 through 17 games -- but he's 4-for-4 on stolen base attempts, and the Marlins need someone to back up Lewis Brinson in center. If Herrera does break camp on the 25-man roster, his defensive versatility would fit in well on a roster that already includes utility players like Miguel Rojas and Martin Prado, even if it doesn't afford him many opportunities for playing time.

Swanson went 1-for-2 with a walk, two RBI and a stolen base in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.

Facing bullpen arm Stephen Tarpley in the sixth inning, Swanson slapped a bases-loaded single to right field for his first two RBI of the spring. The shortstop has been brought along slowly after offseason wrist surgery as the Braves try to make sure he's healthy for Opening Day. While he's been contributing, posting a solid 3:5 BB:K in eight games and going 2-for-2 on steal attempts, none of his five hits have gone for extra bases. Swanson figures to hit near the bottom of the order in a stacked Atlanta lineup and, barring a major breakout, the 25-year-old's fantasy ceiling will be limited in 2019.

Seager (elbow) is set to play seven innings in his Cactus League debut Wednesday against the Cubs, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports.

Seager completed 15 innings of minor-league spring game action Monday and is now prepared to make the next step in his preparation for Opening Day. He also plans to participate in all three Freeway Series exhibition games prior to the beginning of the regular season. Assuming there are no setbacks, Seager should be in the lineup as the Dodgers shortstop on March 28 as the season gets underway.

Baez has gone 9-for-33 at the plate with no home runs and one stolen base through 13 Cactus League appearances.

The 26-year-old has endured a lackluster spring from a power-production standpoint, but it shouldn't do much to harm his stock in fantasy drafts and auctions coming off a season in which he finished second in the National League MVP balloting. After slugging 34 home runs to go with 21 steals in 2018, Baez cemented his status as one of the top power/speed threats in baseball and also showed further improvement with his contact skills, trimming his strikeout rate to a palatable 25.9 percent.

Edman was scratched from Monday's spring game against the Phillies, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

It's unclear what forced Edman's removal from the lineup at this point, but an injury appears to be the most likely reason. Drew Robinson will start at second base in his stead.

Reyes' chances of making the Opening Day roster may have been bolstered by the team's decision to pick Erik Gonzalez as its starting shortstop over Kevin Newman.

Given that Newman still has minor-league options remaining, it's possible the team could choose to give Newman full-time reps at Triple-A rather than having him come off the bench for the Pirates. For his part, Reyes is batting .250 in 32 spring at-bats with a pair of home runs. He has the ability to move around the infield on defense and can play anywhere in the outfield. He'd also give Pittsburgh a center field backup to Starling Marte. Adam Frazier is the emergency center fielder, but management would like to keep him firmly at second base.

Manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that Seager (elbow) will play Opening Day against the Diamondbacks, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Seager will also play in the three-game exhibition series against the Angels leading up to to the regular-season opener March 28. It's quite a statement from Roberts, as the 24-year-old has yet to make an appearance in a Cactus League game this spring. According to Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times, the young shortstop will play in minor-league games Sunday and Monday as he ramps up towards his Cactus League debut. Seager hasn't experienced any setbacks with his surgically repaired elbow this spring, but the Dodgers have understandably been cautious with his return.

Crawford went 3-for-4 with a run scored, three RBI and a double in Saturday's spring game against the Padres.

Crawford started spring off slowly (0-for-11) but appears to be heating up with Opening Day drawing closer. The 32-year-old slashed .254/.325/.394 with 14 home runs over 151 games in 2018 and is set for another season as the Giants' starting shortstop.