MLB Player News

Urena got the start at third base in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets, going 1-for-2 with a double and a run scored.

The two-bagger came off starting pitcher Josh Walker, and it was already Urena's second double of the spring after he laced one off the Marlins' Cody Poteet on Friday. With Carter Kieboom (forearm) currently sidelined and likely to miss the beginning of the season, Nationals manager Dave Martinez is considering all his options at third base, and Urena is competing with utility player Ehire Adrianza and non-roster invitee Maikel Franco for a possible Opening Day starting assignment. Urena spent all of last season at Triple-A Buffalo in the Blue Jays organization, slashing .272/.310/.435, and the 26-year-old infielder has a .253/.300/.336 slash line over 263 big-league plate appearances.

Adrianza will get more reps than expected at third base this spring with Carter Kieboom (forearm) sidelined, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports.

Kieboom was the presumed starter at the hot corner, but since he's now likely to miss Opening Day, Nationals manager Dave Martinez will take a look at Adrianza, Maikel Franco and Richard Urena as possible replacements. Adrianza put together a .247/.327/.401 slash line over 209 plate appearances in a utility role for Atlanta last season, seeing action at second base, third base, shortstop and all three outfield spots.

Story agreed to a contract with the Red Sox on Sunday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, Story will receive $140 million over six years with the Red Sox, and the deal includes an opt out after the 2025 season, which Boston can negate by picking up a seventh year for the contract. Xander Bogaerts has been locked in as Boston's shortstop since 2014 and will remain at the position, per Jim Bowden of The Athletic, though Story is viewed as the superior defender. Regardless of how the pair is positioned between shortstop and second base, the team now features one of the best middle infield pairings in the league. Story hit .251/.329/.471 with 24 home runs, 88 runs, 75 RBI and 20 stolen bases in 142 games last season in Colorado and will continue his career with Boston as its new second baseman.

Smith was scratched from the lineup for Saturday's Cactus League game against the Brewers due to ankle soreness, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Smith was initially slated to start at second base against Milwaukee, but he never took the field due to his ankle injury. The move is mainly considered precautionary, so it's possible that the 24-year-old will be back in action within a few days.

Manager David Bell said Saturday that Barrero hasn't yet appeared in a Cactus League game due to left wrist soreness, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Bell said that the 23-year-old will be re-evaluated in the coming days. Once he's fully healthy, he should see increased opportunities for playing time after the Reds traded Eugenio Suarez to the Mariners on Monday.

Seager went 2-for-3 with a three-run home run in Friday's spring game against Kansas City.

The Rangers showcased their major offseason acquisitions Friday with Seager batting second behind Marcus Semien at leadoff. Each made his Cactus League debut. Seager had his most plate appearances in 2021 out of the two-hole for the Dodgers.

Swanson isn't interested in discussing a contract extension during the season, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The shortstop will be a free agent next offseason, but Swanson suggested Friday he didn't want the distraction of a contract negotiation. "I haven't even thought about it," he said. "But my off-the-cusp answer would be no. There's no point in having extra distractions. This game's hard enough as it is. You want to put all your energy into the game and your teammates. And that's the real reason why you do play, is for your teammates and to win. So if things are taking away from that focus, then it's not worth it." Swanson posted career-best power numbers last season, but paired his 27 homers and 88 RBI with a .248/.311/.449 slash line. Assuming Atlanta doesn't lock him up before Opening Day, the 28-year-old could be headed for a big payday if he keeps his power gains and continues to play strong defense in 2022.

Ahmed is starting at shortstop and batting fifth Saturday against the Angels, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

He finished last season on the shelf with a shoulder injury, so it's good to see him back to full health. Ahmed will face competition from Geraldo Perdomo for playing time at shortstop early this season.

Correa signed a three-year, $105.3 million contract with the Twins on Saturday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Correa's deal with Minnesota comes as a surprise, as the 27-year-old had been linked to multiple contenders and larger-market teams in free agency -- the Twins don't seem to fit either description -- after turning down a five-year, $160 million contract from Houston in November, Mark Berman of Fox 26 reports. However, he'll join the Twins on a deal that includes opt-outs after each of the first two seasons with a $35.1 million annual salary that is the highest for any infielder in MLB history, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Correa spent the first seven years of his career with the Astros and appeared in 148 games during the 2021 campaign, slashing .279/.366/.485 with a career-high 26 homers and 104 runs to go with 92 RBI. The Twins traded for Gio Urshela last weekend, but the former Yankee will now have to compete with Luis Arraez for playing time at third base or settle into a utility role.

Berti (concussion) is starting at second base and batting second in Friday's spring game against the Nationals, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Berti was sidelined for the final two-plus months of 2021 due to a concussion, but he's good to go entering spring training. The 32-year-old struggled last season prior to the concussion with a .210/.311/.313 slash line, and he should remain in a super-utility role for Miami this season.