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.

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.

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.

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.

Barrero could see an heavier workload than previously expected for the Reds this season following the departure of Eugenio Suarez on Monday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Suarez and Jesse Winker were traded to the Mariners on Monday, which provides an opportunity for Barrero since none of the returning players are infielders. Barrero appeared in 21 big-league games last season and hit .200/.286/.320 in 56 plate appearances while seeing some time in center field, but he's focusing on shortstop at spring training this year. Kyle Farmer handled most of the work at shortstop in 2021 but could be more involved at third base with Suarez now out of the picture.

Adrianza agreed Sunday with the Nationals on a one-year, $1.5 million contract, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports. The deal also includes performance-based escalators.

With Washington, Adrianza is expected to serve as a utility man, a role he's filled for either Minnesota or Atlanta across each of the past five seasons. He was a key depth piece for Atlanta's World Series-winning club in 2021, hitting .247 with five home runs and 28 RBI across 209 plate appearances while logging innings at second base, third base, shortstop and all three outfield spots.

Barrero will focus on shortstop in spring training rather than center field, Reds GM Nick Krall told Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer. "He's a shortstop. He's coming in, and we'll evaluate him where he is," Krall said. Barrero will report to camp late due to a flight/family issue, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Barrero played sparingly at shortstop after his promotion to the majors last season, only playing nine of his 23 games there as the Reds rode out most of the stretch run with Kyle Farmer at the position. That dynamic might not be in play in 2022, with the Reds having diminished expectations, at least based on their lack of offseason player activity.

McLain was invited to the Reds' big-league camp Friday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

McLain was selected 17th overall in last year's draft and went on to hit .273/.387/.424 in 29 games for High-A Dayton. While he still has two more levels of the minors to conquer before he pushes for his debut, he'll get the chance to work with the big-league coaching staff for a few weeks this spring.