MLB Player News

Ahmed has slashed .259/.267/.431 and has driven in 11 runs over 58 at-bats during Cactus League play.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo hasn't officially decided on a starting shortstop to begin the season, but based on spring performance alone, Ahmed seems to be well behind Chris Owings, who has been a Cactus League standout with a .352 average and five extra-base hits in 54 at-bats. Ahmed's spot on the Opening Day roster still looks secure after the club demoted Ketel Marte to Triple-A Reno earlier in the week, and his defensive acumen still might be enough to earn him a couple starts per week at either middle infield spot.

Castro was reassigned to minor-league camp Monday, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

The 24-year-old infielder didn't pose much of a threat to claim a roster spot, especially after batting just .235 and walking once in 35 spring plate appearances. Castro will likely serve as an organizational depth piece moving forward, but his positional versatility could land him a spot in Denver later in the season if he picks things up at the plate during his time in the minors.

Swanson went 3-for-3 with a walk, two doubles and three runs scored in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers.

Despite a late start to the spring due to a strained side, Swanson is still slashing .313/.421/.500 in 38 plate appearances and seems ready to pick up where he left off in his impressive 2016 major-league debut. The 23-year-old will be hitting second for the Braves this season, which could make him a very valuable source of runs given his advanced hit tool and solid on-base skills.

Turner went 3-for-4 with two solo home runs in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets.

Both long balls came off Seth Lugo, and Turner is now slashing .279/.323/.459 on the spring in 61 at-bats with three homers and six steals in six attempts. The 23-year-old appears to be more than ready for Opening Day.

Seager (oblique) is scheduled to play in a minor league game Monday and will stay in Arizona for the first two games of the upcoming Freeway Series, Bill Plunkett of the OC Register reports.

Seager continues to work back from an oblique injury that's kept him out of action for much of spring training. At this point, the team is focusing on getting Seager increased at-bats at the minor-league level, but it appears he'll rejoin the Dodgers on the Saturday prior to Opening Day. Seager could perhaps play in Saturday's home matchup with the Angels as Los Angeles wraps up its exhibition slate.

Seager (back) isn't satisfied with the quality of his swing, and he could stay back in Arizona when the team heads to Los Angeles for its final exhibition games later this week, Eric Stephen of SB Nation reports.

There are no reports of a setback with the shortstop's back, it just sounds like he isn't satisfied with his swing after missing the majority of spring training action. Seager has played in three minor league games this past week, and reportedly felt fine physically. If the Dodgers decide to hold their young star out of Freeway Series, it would simply be to get him more consistent at-bats in minor league camp, rather than a sign that they are planning on placing him on the disabled list to start the season.

Manager Andy Green announced that Sardinas is no longer is the running for the Padres' starting shortstop gig, The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The 23-year-old was given every opportunity to seize the job this spring, but his constant struggles at the plate (.184 in 38 at-bats) have cost him the opportunity to serve as the Padres' starting shortstop. Sardinas will now compete for a utility role and can safely be ignored in almost all fantasy formats.

Owings is still battling with Nick Ahmed and Ketel Marte for the starting shortstop role, Adam Green of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM reports.

Owings is looking like the frontrunner for the position at this point in the spring, as he is outperforming both of his counterparts at the plate. The 25-year-old is 17-for-41 (.415) so far, while Marte is 11-for-41 (.268) and Ahmed is 10-for-45 (.222). There is still time for each individual to make their case, but time is running out as manager Torey Lovullo is looking to lock in a starting lineup within the next week. "We're going to put the best shortstop out there that's going to help us win games, bottom line," Lovullo said. "That competition is still running thick, so we're going to try to figure that out here in the coming week."

Seager (oblique) is scheduled to work seven innings at shortstop Saturday in a minor league game and is likely to return to the Dodgers after that, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

There wasn't any initial clarification about whether this replaces or adds to his initially scheduled Friday efforts in a minor league outing. Either way, the fact they're projecting Seager to rejoin the big club soon marks a positive step for the highly coveted fantasy shortstop.

Seager (oblique) will hit and play four or five innings at shortstop in Friday's minor league game, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports.

After appearing in Tuesday's minor league game as DH, Seager is now scheduled to return to shortstop for the first time since injuring his oblique. This is encouraging, as the 22-year-old has been sidelined for most of March with the issue. It will be close, but barring any setbacks in the field on Friday, he still has time to be ready for Opening Day.