MLB Player News

Reyes will see time at shortstop during spring training in an effort to win an Opening Day roster spot as a super-utility player, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

Although he exceeded expectations last fall September, slashing .293/.349/.483 with three home runs and seven RBI in 63 plate appearances, the 25-year-old isn't assured of making the team. The Pirates have added multiple options around the infield and outfield and Reyes still has minor-league options remaining. In seven minor-league seasons, he's slashed an underwhelming .277/.352/.411. He's averaged six homers and 16 steals per year, however, and those stolen bases could land him on the fantasy radar. Even if he's sent back to Triple-A, look for Reyes to see time with Pittsburgh in 2019.

Manager Dave Martinez said he talked to Turner about attempting to steal more bases in 2019, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Turner racked up 43 stolen bases -- good for second most in the majors -- in 52 attempts last season, but Martinez apparently wants the speedy shortstop to be more aggressive on the basepaths in 2019. When all is said and done, the hope is that Turner finishes with closer to 75 or 80 stolen base attempts this season, which would only make the 25-year-old more valuable after he chipped in a career-high 19 homers while hitting .271 across 740 plate appearances in 2018.

Seager (elbow/hip) is able to do all baseball actions except throw across the diamond, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Seager is able to hit off live pitching and do most defensive work. He remains on track for Opening Day after missing most of last season while recovering from both Tommy John surgery and hip surgery.

Manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday the Dodgers are "tracking" for Seager (elbow/hip) to be ready by Opening Day, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Seager appeared in just 26 games in 2018 before undergoing season-ending Tommy John surgery. The shortstop opted for another procedure over summer to address a hip issue, but he's reportedly progressing well in his recovery from both operations. According to Alanna Rizzo of SportsNet LA, Seager is expected to open spring training on the back fields, where he'll need around 50-to-60 at-bats before being cleared for Cactus League action. Barring any setbacks, it sounds like Seager should be starting at shortstop for the Dodgers on Opening Day.

Castro signed a minor-league contract which includes an invitation to spring training with the Dodgers on Friday, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Castro has spent parts of three seasons in the majors but has very little to show for it, posting a .210/.240/.265 line in 98 games. He's unlikely to earn a roster spot in Los Angeles this spring but has the versatility to cover anywhere on the infield should injuries strike the team.

DeJong could serve as the Cardinals' No. 3 hitter to begin the season, Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Though offseason pickup Paul Goldschmidt hit third or fourth in the lineup for much of his time in Arizona, manager Mike Shildt acknowledged in December that deploying the first baseman second in the order behind Matt Carpenter was "in play," per Hummel. Goldschmidt was actually at his best while hitting second in 2018 -- he posted a 1.104 OPS in 47 games out of that slot -- offering support to the idea of the Cardinals "frontloading" their lineup with their top two hitters. With Marcell Ozuna and Yadier Molina likely earmarked for the Nos. 4 and 5 spots, respectively, DeJong looks like the best bet among the remaining Cardinals regulars to hit third, given the superior power he's displayed through two seasons in the majors. The shortstop's plate approach still leaves something to be desired and makes him somewhat of a batting-average risk, but any deficiency in that area could be offset by likely upticks in run-scoring and run-producing opportunities if he seizes hold of the No. 3 spot.

Cecchini cleared waivers Friday and was assigned to Triple-A Syracuse.

Cecchini was designated for assignment earlier in the week when the Mets signed Justin Wilson. His .294/.342/.468 line in 30 games for Triple-A Las Vegas last season was evidently not enough for another team to take a chance on him.

Cecchini was designated for assignment by the Mets on Monday, Matt Ehalt of The Bergen Record reports.

The 2012 first-round pick was replaced on the 40-man roster by reliever Justin Wilson. Cecchini spent most of 2018 with Triple-A Las Vegas, hitting .294/.342/.468. The 25-year-old owns a lackluster .217/.270/.301 triple-slash across parts of two big-league campaigns (36 games).

Sardinas signed a minor-league contract with the Nationals on Saturday, Matt Eddy of Baseball America reports.

Sardinas has received 500 major-league plate appearances across five seasons but has very little to show for it, hitting just .224/.274/.292. He's played all four infield positions plus left field, giving him multiple routes to the majors, but he'll likely only get called up in an emergency.

Story's elbow is feeling "great," Kyle Newman of The Denver Post reports.

Story experienced elbow issues in mid-September, which at one point appeared to be bad enough that Tommy John surgery was on the table, but he wound up missing just six games. He took time off after the season to let the elbow rest but has since resumed his normal routine without problems.