Arias is hitting sixth and playing third base against the Mariners on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Arias will get his first start of the year with left-hander Marco Gonzales on the bump for Seattle. Jose Ramirez will get a rest on defense as the designated hitter, and Josh Naylor will take a seat for the series finale. Arias is expected to serve as a utility player who will get starts all over the infield during the 2023 campaign.

Arias (hand) is listed as an available reserve option for Monday's Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Arias hasn't played in any games since Friday after suffering a right hand contusion, but he looks like he could get the chance to see action in the Guardians' penultimate contest of the spring. Even if the Guardians stay away from him Monday, Arias should be able to play in Tuesday's spring finale versus the Diamondbacks, putting him on track to head into Opening Day at full strength. He's expected to serve as a utility man for Cleveland and likely won't be in line for steady at-bats so long as all of the Guardians' core infielders are healthy.

Guardians manager Terry Francona announced that Arias left Friday's game against the Cubs with a contusion on his right hand, Mandy Bell of MLB.comreports.

EDGE Analysis

Arias was hit in the same hand that he broke in 2022, but he underwent a scan and everything has come back OK according to Francona. The utility player is not scheduled to undergo X-rays just yet, but there should be more information on Arias before the end of Saturday. For now, Arias should be considered day-to-day.

Arias left Friday's Cactus League game after being hit near his hand by a pitch, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Arias had a broken right-hand that sidelined him in 2022, and is expected to serve as a utility player all over the field for the Guardians in 2023. He immediately dropped to the ground after being hit, and looked to be in significant pain. There should be an update on his status before Saturday's contest.

Arias has hit .350 (14-for-40) with three doubles, three RBI, 10 runs scored and four stolen bases across 15 Cactus League games.

EDGE Analysis

Tyler Freeman was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Tuesday, paving the way for Arias to serve as the Guardians' main utility man off the bench. Arias' bat has certainly earned him the chance to start the season at the major-league level, and his contact-and-speed approach fit well with the team. The 23-year-old slashed .191/.321/.319 with three extra-base hits and a stolen base in a 16-game sample last season.

Arias will get some playing time in the outfield during spring training, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Arias is a natural shortstop, but Amed Rosario is likely to start there barring injury or an extended slump. Arias saw some time around the infield last season, and adding at least one corner outfield position could give him another path to playing time if the Guardians run into injury trouble. He hit just .191 and struck out 28.1 percent of the time over 57 plate appearances in the majors last season, so it's still possible he begins the year with Triple-A Columbus.

Arias will start at first base and bat seventh Sunday in Game 4 of the Guardians' American League Division Series matchup with the Yankees.

EDGE Analysis

After going 2-for-4 with a double a run scored in Saturday's 6-5 win in Game 3, Arias will stick in the starting nine against Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole as the Guardians take aim at a series-clinching victory. Arias appears to have overtaken Will Brennan for a spot in Cleveland's regular lineup versus right-handed pitching.

Arias is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Royals.

EDGE Analysis

Arias' streak of nine consecutive starts will come to an end in the regular-season finale while Cleveland rolls out the infield configuration that will likely be the norm for the postseason (Josh Naylor, Andres Gimenez, Amed Rosario and Jose Ramirez). While filling in at all four infield spots over the last nine games, Arias went 7-for-28 (.250 average) with three extra-base hits, seven walks and a stolen base.

Arias will start at shortstop and bat seventh in Monday's game against the Royals.

EDGE Analysis

With regular shortstop Amed Rosario getting the night off, Arias will step in and pick up his eighth consecutive start. He's seen work at all four infield spots during that stretch and has earned his playing time by slashing .238/.429/.476 with two extra-base hits, one stolen base and a 6:6 BB:K in those prior seven contests.

Arias went 1-for-3 with a solo home run Wednesday against the Rays.

EDGE Analysis

Arias took Tyler Glasnow yard in the third inning to tally the first home run of his big-league career. He has started only sporadically since being recalled Sept. 21, though he has spelled Andres Gimenez and Jose Ramirez as the team appears to be giving some of its regulars rest after clinching the AL Central on Sunday. Arias has only 34 career plate appearances at the big-league level, but he has managed two extra-base hits, five RBI and five runs scored in that span.