MLB Player News

Cecchini is expected to log playing time at shortstop every 10-to-12 days and possibly even third base this season, Betsy Helfand of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

The Mets' Triple-A affiliate appears to be putting a large focus on versatility this season, so even a top prospect like Cecchini will get looks at other positions. The 23-year-old will still likely be brought up as a second baseman with fellow prospect Amed Rosario slated to man shortstop in the future, but the versatility certainly won't hurt as Cecchini looks to land a job with the Mets later in the season.

Story went 1-for-2 with three walks, a steal and a pair of runs in Tuesday's 6-5 win over the Brewers.

It's nowhere near the start Story got off to last season, but Story is continuing to be a force in the middle of the Rockies lineup. Although he hasn't logged an RBI yet through two games, one major positive is the plate discipline the 24-year-old has shown through two games. He only struck out once in the first game of the season and didn't whiff a single time Tuesday, leaving his K:BB at 1:3 heading into Wednesday's bout. It's early, but Story's improved approach at the plate could help him amass an even better season than his stellar rookie campaign.

Abreu will begin the season with Double-A Harrisburg.

He's got solid plate discipline and has shown a little speed during his minor-league career, swiping 30 bases in 123 games for Low-A Hagerstown in 2015, but Abreu's defensive profile and somewhat suspect hit tool mark him as a future utility player in the majors, at best. A solid performance at Double-A this year could have the 22-year-old climbing the Nats' prospect rankings, however.

Baez is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Cardinals.

Ben Zobrist will return to second base Wednesday, pushing Baez to the bench. The 24-year-old Baez has gone 1-for-7 with an RBI and two strikeouts through two games. He figures to continue in only a semi-regular role, at least for the time being, sitting two or three times per week.

Crawford went 2-for-5 with a solo homer and two runs scored in Tuesday's 8-4 win over Arizona.

He could have had a much bigger day, as Crawford was credited with six stranded baserunners. Still, he's opened the season by going 4-for-10 with three extra-base hits, and fantasy owners aren't about to look that gift horse in its mouth. Crawford's been improving steadily, and he's already proven to be a quality source of RBI. The question now for fantasy owners is whether he can continue last year's uptick in batting average and/or regain the power stroke he showed two seasons ago.

Owings will start at shortstop and bat seventh against the Giants on Tuesday.

With right-hander Johnny Cueto taking the mound Tuesday, Torey Lovullo will shy away from his Opening Day lineup that stacked right-handed bats in the top three spots. Instead, Owings will slide down to seventh in the order while left-handed swinging David Peralta will jump up to the two spot. It seems this might be common against right-handed starters, but only time will tell.

Arcia went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in the Brewers' season-opening loss to the Rockies.

Arcia hit eighth in the Brewers' Opening Day batting order and figures to slot in there often at the beginning of the regular season, but he is one of the Brewers' most promising youngsters, and figures to play nearly every day at shortstop.

Seager finished 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBI in Monday's 14-3 win over the Padres.

Seager was a spectator as his team built a big early lead, but he joined the party with a three-run dinger to left center in the fifth inning. He emerged as one of the best young hitters in the game last season and should have big things in store in his second full campaign as a Dodger.

Rodriguez signed a minor-league contract with the Mets on Monday, Matt Ehalt of The Record reports.

Rodriguez's only time in the majors came in 2011 during a brief stint with the Pirates, when he went 1-for-12 before being sent back to the minors. The 32-year-old will report to Triple-A Las Vegas, where he will serve as organizational infield depth.

Diaz went 2-for-5 with a double and two stolen bases in Sunday's 4-3 Opening Day win over the Cubs.

Diaz and offseason acquisition Dexter Fowler have the look of a lethal 1-2 punch at the top of the Cardinals order, and it was the former who particularly stood out Sunday. The pair of swipes was especially noteworthy because Diaz was just 4-for-8 in steal attempts during his rookie campaign and never topped six stolen bases in his minor-league career. Now 26, Diaz burst onto the scene in 2016 in the wake of Jhonny Peralta's spring training thumb injury, providing a .300/.369/.510 line that included 28 doubles, three triples, 17 home runs and 65 RBI. With a year of seasoning at the big-league level now under his belt, 20-plus homers and 100 RBI look to be realistic goals for the blossoming star in 2017.