MLB Player News

Bogaerts (shoulder) will serve as the designated hitter and bat third in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Though he'll be limited to DH duties for the fourth time in five days while he works back from a sore shoulder, Bogaerts is on track to make his spring debut at shortstop Wednesday against the Twins as long as he escapes Tuesday's contest without any setbacks. The 28-year-old is well on his way to being ready for a full-time role in the field by the time Opening Day arrives.

Seager is slashing .478/.571/1.130 with five home runs, 11 RBI and eight runs scored in 11 games this spring.

The reigning NLCS and World Series MVP has picked up where he left off last October, leading all players in RBI this spring and tying for the league lead with five homers. He was a Statcast darling last season, ranking in the 95th percentile and above in barrel rate, xBA, xSLG, exit velocity and hard-hit rate, and his showing so far this spring suggests that Seager could be lined up for another highly productive campaign in 2021.

Fletcher will function as the Angels' everyday second baseman this season, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Fletcher bounced around often during his first three big-league seasons, logging frequent time at second base as well as shortstop, third base and the outfield. He played more games (27) at shortstop last season than his 15 games at second base, due largely to Andrelton Simmons' injury woes. However, the Angels traded for a new starting shortstop in Jose Iglesias in the offseason, allowing Fletcher to settle in at second base. Still, it wouldn't be surprising to see him log time at other positions when needed.

Ahmed (knee) took at-bats Monday against teammate Luke Weaver at the Diamondbacks' spring facility, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Ahmed hasn't appeared in any Cactus League games since March 6 due to a sore right knee, but his activity Monday would seem to hint that he could soon rejoin the Diamondbacks' spring lineup. Since Opening Day is still two weeks away, Ahmed still has sufficient time to get up to full speed.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Downs is feeling "OK" after injuring his left side in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Cora didn't suggest that Downs would require an MRI, so the 22-year-old appears to have avoided a more serious injury such as an oblique strain. The Red Sox are viewing Downs as day-to-day, but he looks like he'll have a chance to return to the spring lineup later this week.

Bogaerts (shoulder) is pushing hard to play shortstop Wednesday against the Twins, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Bogaerts was the designated hitter Sunday and will DH again Tuesday. If he doesn't get onto the field on his target date of Wednesday, it sounds like that should be coming any day now. He is tracking toward being in the lineup on Opening Day.

Witt is hitting .333/.379/.667 with three home runs, six strikeouts and two walks through 27 at-bats this spring.

Witt, who turns 21 in June, has been the talk of Royals camp and has earned glowing reviews from those inside and outside the organization. While he lacks experience in a full-season league, the normal rules may not apply here. Witt was a standout last summer at the alternate training site and looks like one of Kansas City's best position players this spring, so he could debut this season.

The Rays reassigned Franco to their minor-league camp Monday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Tampa Bay's demotion of its top prospect doesn't come as a major surprise, as Franco was always expected to get a little more seasoning in the upper levels of the minors before making his MLB debut at some point later this season. Franco made a positive impression over his seven games with the Rays during the Grapefruit League slate, going 5-for-17 with a home run.

Chang appears to be the leading candidate to win a utility role this spring, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports. He's hitting .294 (5-for-17) with three home runs this spring.

With the trade of Mike Freeman to the Reds, it looks like Chang will begin the season on the big-league roster. If he can carry his strong showing at the plate into the regular season, it's not out of the question Cleveland could find a way to get him more at-bats.

Marcano started in center field Sunday against the Reds and went 0-for-2 with a walk and a run. He has also played right field, left field, second base, third base and shortstop this spring.

In addition to playing all over the field, Marcano has also been getting it done at the plate, slashing .368/.429/.632 with a home run and three RBI. The 21-year-old isn't likely to break camp with the club, but he is certainly turning heads in the organization. Marcano hasn't logged time in the outfield thus far in his minor-league career, but he has played over 40 games at three different infield positions (second base, shortstop and third base).