Yonder Alonso had two hits and two RBI for the Padres in Monday's win over the Rockies. Alonso has raised his average from .196 to .283 in his last 11 games, but he's still been a void from a fantasy perspective. He doesn't have a homer or a steal this season, and he's scored just three runs in 28 games. Tonight's multi-RBI game -- his first of the year -- gave him a total of six RBI.

Yonder Alonso is batting just .208/.295/.264 through his first 61 plate appearances. Alonso has three doubles and three RBI and has yet to hit a home run. The 24-year-old was the centerpiece of the deal that sent Mat Latos to the Reds, so he figures to have a pretty lengthy leash on the starting first base job. We're banking on an improvement, but considering that PETCO Park really does a number on left-handed hitters, we wouldn't chase him in mixed formats.

Yonder Alonso went 2-for-3 with a triple and two runs scored Friday against the Reds. Playing against his former team, Alonso reached on a single in the bottom of the first inning and hit a leadoff triple in the third. The 24-year-old is hitting .260 (13-for-50) with eight RBI this spring and will get the chance to sink-or-swim as the Padres' starting first baseman this season. PETCO Park is death for left-handed hitters, so the odds are against him being useful in mixed leagues initially.

Padres manager Bud Black said Yonder Alonso will not be handed the first base job and will have to earn it with a strong camp. Alonso's chief competition should come from Jesus Guzman. The reality, though, is that it would be very surprising if Alonso isn't at first base on Opening Day. Black added that if the youngster does win the job, he'll probably bat fifth or sixth in the lineup. Playing in Petco and having a questionable power ceiling, Alonso isn't a terribly exciting fantasy prospect for 2012.

Padres acquired 1B Yonder Alonso, RHPs Edinson Volquez and Brad Boxberger and C Yasmani Grandal from the Reds for RHP Mat Latos. Alonso, the seventh overall selection in the 2008 draft, excelled in his timeÿin the majors last season, batting .330/.398/.545 in 88 at-bats. His minor league numbers were more good than great, so he's probably not a future All-Star. However, he projects as a nice regular at first base and the Padres will have him under control for six years. What that means for fellow top prospect Anthony Rizzo still has to be figured out. Alonso could be stashed in left field at some point or maybe he gets traded again. For now, he'll probably start at first, with Rizzo returning to Triple-A.

Yonder Alonso told John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer that he has lost 18 pounds this offseason. The hope is that losing the weight will allow him to be more spry as he continues his transition to left field. "That's part of being a professional," said Alonso. "You do what you've got to do to play and get ready for the season. I've been doing that." The 24-year-old is major-league ready with the bat, but has struggled to find a position with Joey Votto blocking first base. His name continues to float in trade rumors and a change in scenery may be the best thing that could happen to him from a fantasy perspective.

Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune reports that the White Sox are interested in trading for the Reds' Yonder Alonso. The problem is that Alonso would be blocked by Paul Konerko at first base and Adam Dunn at designated hitter, so the Sox, Rogers says, are trying to determine whether the 24-year-old is a legitimate option to play in the outfield. Either that, or they could ask Konerko to waive his no-trade clause and stick Alonso at first. The Reds would like to get a starter in exchange for Alonso, and Chicago is a fit in that regard with John Danks and Gavin Floyd available.

The Reds are shopping Yonder Alonso for a closer or starting pitching, according to Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports. The Rays, Blue Jays, and Athletics have all expressed interest though talks are believed to be nothing more than exploratory. Alonso hit .330 with five home runs and 15 RBI over 46 games this season but is currently blocked by one of the game's best players in Joey Votto. The 24-year-old is no longer viewed as a long-term option in left field after struggling mightily in 2011.

According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, Yonder Alonso underwent minor knee surgery after the season. The Reds are calling it a "clean-up procedure" but have no plans for him to participate in winter ball. Alonso hit .330 with five home runs and 15 RBI over 46 games and 87 at-bats this season. The 24-year-old saw regular playing time in left field with Joey Votto at first base and is expected to compete for a starting job in the outfield next spring training.

Yonder Alonso returned to action on Tuesday, striking out as a pinch-hitter against the Astros. With an ankle injury limiting him to pinch-hitting duties for the rest of the season, there's not much more to expect from Alonso. The 24-year-old will compete for a starting job next season.