MLB Player News

The former top prospect will likely be a Triple-A player for the Bucs. Franklin, 27, has batted .205/.271/.341 in 511 major league plate appearances since his promising debut season with the Mariners back in 2013.

The 21-year-old is now slashing .462/.533/.769 in his small sample of spring at-bats. However, he continues to make meaningful contact. His triple was 102.2 mph off the bat, and he’s struck out just three times in 15 plate appearances this spring. There is a good chance that he could start at shortstop for the Tigers to begin the season and, if he doesn’t it’s unlikely he’ll remain in the minors for long.

Seymour actually threw 61 percent strikes and got ahead in the count often; he just couldn’t get any Tigers hitters to chase when he was ahead. He had just a seven percent whiff rate on the day, with his only whiff coming on a sweeper. He’ll need to get his command in order if he has any chance of beating out Steven Matz and Joe Boyle for the final spot in the Rays’ rotation.

Martinez was signed two weeks ago to fill a spot in the Rays’ rotation, but he didn’t look great today. He posted just a 17 percent whiff rate while allowing four hard-hit balls in three innings. He was able to pound the strike zone and get ahead in the count, but he wasn’t fooling Tigers hitters. He still seems locked into a starting spot over one or both of Joe Boyle and Ian Seymour.

Arquette is widely regarded as Miami’s top position prospect after being selected seventh overall in last July’s MLB Draft. The 22-year-old collegiate shortstop possesses above-average athleticism and will likely wind up moving to third base eventually. He’ll open the year in the lower minors once he’s cleared to resume baseball activities.

Anderson sat just under 96 mph with his four-seam fastball and registered a 23 percent whiff rate on the pitch, which was nice to see. He also produced three whiffs on seven swings with his changeup but allowed three hard-hit balls in three innings of work. He figures to start the season in the bullpen since the Tigers’ rotation is full and he has no minor league options remaining.

It’s presumably a major-league deal for Marte, pending a physical. He heads to Kansas City as a right-handed complement for right fielder Jac Caglianone and Carter Jensen at DH. He won’t syphon off enough playing time to make a significant fantasy impact but he represents a decent insurance policy in case either former top prospect struggles this season. The 37-year-old veteran outfielder spent the past four years with the Mets and slashed .270/.335/.410 with nine homers and seven steals in 98 games this past season in a part-time role.

The right-hander had just a 13 percent whiff rate on the day but threw 61 percent strikes and got ahead often. He also allowed three hard-hit baseballs in just three innings and saw his sinker velocity fall from 96.3 mph in the first inning to 92.5 mph by the third inning. It’s likely not a big deal this early in camp, but it’s something to keep an eye on, as is his overall lack of whiffs, because he’s going to need to produce strikeouts if he’s going to have fantasy value this season.

Burrows sat 95.1 mph on his four-seam fastball, which was up from last season, and showed off a new movement profile on his slider, which is two mph harder with slightly more vertical movement. Burrows got two whiffs on the slider and also a revamped sinker that he’s relying on more this season and is throwing exclusively to right-handed hitters. It’s just three innings in the spring, but Burrows looks like he could be in for a good first season in Houston.

Miller will be shut down from throwing for at least the next five days for precautionary reasons after receiving a PRP injection to address the swelling. Mariners general manager Justin Hollander told reporters there is no definitive timeline beyond Miller resuming a throwing program later this week. It certainly sounds like a possibility that he opens the regular season with a trip to the injured list since he might run out of time to build up his pitch count and stamina. The 27-year-old righty made his spring debut earlier this week, showcasing a significant uptick in fastball velocity from last year’s injury-plagued campaign. There should be an additional update on his status once he’s cleared to resume throwing.

No word yet on the reason for the move. Rosario is slated to open the season in a multi-faceted reserve role on New York’s bench. There should be an update on his status after the contest.