MLB Player News

Lopez (groin) could return to Grapefruit League play as soon as Wednesday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Lopez suffered a left groin injury while playing for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic, but he was able to go through a full workout -- including running the bases -- Monday without issue. The utility player is aiming for a spot on Toronto's Opening Day roster.

Crawford (shoulder) is starting at shortstop and batting leadoff for the Mariners in Monday's Cactus League game versus the Brewers.

Crawford has been limited to designated hitter duties for a few days while battling a sore shoulder, but he's ready to test things out from his familiar shortstop position. The 28-year-old is 5-for-23 with zero extra-base hits so far this spring.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Monday that DeJong recently suffered a setback in his recovery from back soreness and is questionable to be ready to go for Opening Day, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

DeJong's back issue first cropped up March 14, but after he made some progress in the days that followed, the Cardinals had been earmarking Tuesday's game against the Nationals for his return to the Grapefruit League lineup. Those plans have now been scrapped in light of DeJong's setback, but Marmol said the Cardinals will put a plan together later Monday to see when or if a return to the lineup is possible for the shortstop before the end of the spring. If DeJong is forced to the injured list to begin the season, the move could pave the way for non-roster invitee Taylor Motter to make the Cardinals' Opening Day squad as a reserve infielder.

Although Diaz continues in a heated competition with Nick Allen for the starting shortstop role, the veteran's ability to play multiple positions should help him garner a near-everyday role irrespective of how the job battle shakes out, Steve Stockmar of MLB.com reports. "You could see Diaz at shortstop. That's kind of been a trend this Spring Training. That's not set in stone," manager Mark Kotsay said. "Aledmys can play in left, we have the opportunity to DH as well. So there's a ton of combinations that we can put together that we feel good about."

Diaz inked a two-year, $14.5 million deal this offseason, and he's wasted no time validating the investment with a strong spring that includes a .357 average across 33 Cactus League plate appearances. Diaz's career .266 average, .763 OPS and modest 14.7 percent strikeout rate should afford him plenty of job security regardless of whether Allen is declared the victor of their competition, considering Diaz's defensive versatility and the fact Kotsay has emphasized he'll be prioritizing offense this season after Oakland's struggles scoring runs throughout 2022.

Allen, who is hitting .375 across 11 Cactus League games, continues to be in a heated battle with Aledmys Diaz for the starting shortstop job, Steve Stockmar of MLB.com reports.

Allen got the start Sunday against the Dodgers, and Stockmar reports the 24-year-old helped his case with an RBI and two stellar defensive plays. However, Diaz is also enjoying a successful spring at the plate, and manager Mark Kotsay is going to emphasize offensive upside in his decision-making process with respect to the winner of the job battle. "You look at the production offensively last year, we evaluate that," Kotsay said. "Obviously, we evaluate our offense last year as a group. We didn't score enough runs, and that's a necessity this year."

Castillo was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Sunday.

Castillo was acquired by the Diamondbacks in December and had a solid showing in spring training with a .270/.325/.459 slash line in 17 contests, but it wasn't enough to give him a spot on the Opening Day roster. The 25-year-old had a .633 OPS over 96 games in his first taste of MLB action with the Pirates last year.

Reds manager David Bell has talked to Barrero about getting some reps in center field to add to his flexibility, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Bell noted that Barrero still has a chance to win the starting shortstop gig with the Reds, but a look in the outfield will certainly help his odds of making the Opening Day roster, assuming he shows he can handle playing in the grass. The 24-year-old has hit well in the Cactus League thus far, posting a .310/.375/.517 slash line over 32 plate appearances coming into Sunday.

Grissom got the start at DH on Saturday and went 1-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored in a Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

That's now four straight days in which Grissom hasn't made an appearance at shortstop, an ominous sign for a player whose defense was seen as the biggest obstacle between him and the starting assignment Opening Day. He's done everything he needs to do at the plate this spring, however, going 10-for-31 (.323) with a 2:3 BB:K, so the only question now is whether Atlanta prefers Grissom's bat or Braden Shewmake's glove. Whichever young shortstop doesn't win the starting gig will open the season at Triple-A Gwinnett.

Abrams (back) is starting at shortstop and batting seventh in Sunday's spring game against the Tigers, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Abrams has been held out of game action the past few days due to back tightness, but he'll rejoin the lineup after going through a full workout Saturday with no issues. The 22-year-old had a .604 OPS in his first taste of the big leagues last season but will receive another chance to establish himself as Washington's shortstop to open 2023.

Abrams (back) went through a full workout Saturday and is expected to rejoin the lineup Sunday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

The young shortstop has been sidelined since Tuesday due to back tightness. Abrams has gone 7-for-26 (.269) in Grapefruit League play with four steals in four attempts, but his 0:10 BB:K indicates he's still got some work to do to realize his potential. The 22-year-old was the sixth overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft before being one of the headliners in the package the Padres shipped east for Juan Soto.