Mike Aviles went 3-for-4 with two doubles and two runs scored against the Blue Jays on Sunday.

Aviles could be a nice little surprise in fantasy leagues if he fields well enough to hold down the shortstop position for Boston. He can hit .300 and make modest contributions in homers and steals from the bottom of the lineup.

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe thinks that the Red Sox could wind up trading Mike Aviles if they decide to commit to Jose Iglesias as their starting shortstop.

He speculates that the Phillies might have interest. We would guess that the Brewers, who are looking for middle infield depth, would be, as well. But, we just don't see it happening, at least not for a while. The Red Sox are counting on Aviles to be their starting shortstop at the beginning of the season, and Iglesias, while a wizard with the glove, simply isn't ready for major league pitching. He's also currently nursing a groin injury.

Mike Aviles doubled twice and knocked in two runs Saturday night as a Red Sox split-squad topped Boston College 6-3 in seven innings.

B.C. made much more of a game of it than Northeastern did earlier in the day, but the Red Sox still didn't have to sweat it. Aviles played shortstop tonight, with Nick Punto at second base. Punto is obviously the superior defender of the two, but if Aviles can play solid defense this spring, he'll likely get the nod once the season starts.

Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine said Sunday that Mike Aviles has the "DNA" of an everyday shortstop.

Valentine said he sees Nick Punto in a utility role, while rookie Jose Iglesias could push Aviles for playing time. This is a fantasy position to monitor throughout the spring, as it's an open competition. Aviles may have the edge at this moment, but Iglesias, or even Punto, could overtake him with a strong camp. Iglesias, the thinking goes, isn't ready for the majors with only 671 plate appearances in the minors. But Boston must think highly of him, or Aviles' potential for production at baseball's most important defensive position, after trading Jed Lowrie and Marco Scutaro this winter. Aviles has a bit of raw power and has value in AL-only fantasy leagues, but make sure to keep an eye on this position battle until Opening Day. He batted .255/.289/.409 with seven home runs and 39 RBI in 91 games last season between the Royals and Red Sox.

At least one American League talent evaluator believes Mike Aviles is ''short at all three defensive positions'' as an everyday player.

A report from CBS Sports last month indicated the Red Sox were seeking an upgrade over the current duo of Aviles and Nick Punto, so Boston may not be done adding to their infield. The Boston Herald notes that the Red Sox are firm in their belief that shortstop prospect Jose Iglesias isn't ready for a major league job with only 671 plate appearances in the minors. Iglesias is expected to start the season at Triple-A Pawtucket.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that the Red Sox are "working many angles" and could be seeking an upgrade at shortstop.

Mike Aviles and Nick Punto are currently slated to share the shortstop position following the Marco Scutaro trade, but Heyman isn't convinced that the Sox are really prepared to go with that duo. Making a big splash with someone like Hanley Ramirez is unlikely, but it sounds like Boston isn't done tinkering with their infield.

Mike Aviles is expected to platoon at shortstop this season with Nick Punto.

The Red Sox have traded two shortstops this winter in Jed Lowrie and Marco Scutaro, and will now look further down their depth chart. Aviles has a bit of raw power and could take on value in AL-only fantasy leagues.

The Red Sox and INF Mike Aviles avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract with Mike Aviles.

Aviles batted .255/.289/.409 with seven home runs and 39 RBI in 91 games last season between the Royals and Red Sox. He'll earn a $1.2 million base salary in 2012.

Mike Aviles doubled and ripped a three-run homer in Sunday's loss to the Rays.

Aviles' three-run blast in the seventh inning got the Red Sox back in the game, but they were unable to scratch out any runs over the final two frames. The infielder has provided an unexpected punch to Boston's lineup, batting .364 over 30 games since arriving in Beantown.

Mike Aviles hit a go-ahead solo home run in a win over the Rays on Friday night.

Aviles' solo shot in the bottom of the fourth inning proved to be the difference in the ballgame. It was his first home run since being acquired by Boston before the trade deadline. With Kevin Youkilis (hip, hernia) and Led Lowrie (shoulder) sidelined, he should play third base again Saturday.

Red Sox acquired Mike Aviles from the Royals in exchange for INF Yamaico Navarro and RHP Kendal Volz.

Aviles has done little at the plate this season, batting .222/.261/.395 and even getting demoted to the minors at one point. But, he also has a pair of .300 seasons under his belt and offers defensive versatility. He'll give the Sox some infield depth.

Royals recalled INF Mike Aviles from Triple-A Omaha.

Aviles has batted .307/.329/.586 with nine homers over 140 at-bats with Omaha since being demoted in early June. He should see some spot starts along the infield with Wilson Betemit no longer around but might be a stretch as an add even in AL-only leagues.

Mike Aviles has been slugging the ball at Triple-A Omaha since his demotion, batting .329 with seven homers and 13 RBI in 18 games.

Aviles batted just .213/.257/.391 with five homers and 30 RBI in 47 games before he was sent down in early June. If he keeps mashing, he's likely to be recalled by the Royals before long.

Royals optioned 3B Mike Aviles to Triple-A Omaha.

Aviles, 30, batted .213/.257/.391 with five homers and 30 RBI in 47 games this season for the Royals. Those numbers aren't completely worthless, but Kansas City is preparing to call up top third base prospect Mike Moustakas and need to clear room.

Mike Aviles went 3-for-5 with a home run, four RBI and a stolen base in Kansas City's 10-3 win over the Twins on Sunday.

He's now up to five home runs and 21 RBI on the season despite owning just a .250 average through 76 at-bats. Four of those homers and 11 of those RBI have come in his past six games, however, and he is very much somebody you want to have in your starting lineup for the time being.

Mike Aviles went 2-for-4 with three RBI in 7-0 win over the Mariners on Saturday.

He had an RBI single in the bottom of the second inning and drove in a pair with a double in the eighth. Avilies was batting .107 earlier this week, but has five hits and seven RBI over his past three games. Ned Yost has some tough decisions to make in his infield, but in a perfect world we'd prefer Wilson Betemit at third base and Aviles at second.

Mike Aviles will be back in the lineup at third base Friday and Saturday, while Wilson Betemit will be at the hot corner Sunday.

Betemit has been stealing away a lot of at-bats from Aviles, but the latter isn't buried yet. "I'm going by the matchups," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "I need to get them both in there and keep them both going." It sounds like this isn't a straight platoon yet, as Aviles will start against righty Felix Hernandez Saturday, but if things keep moving in the direction they've been moving in, look for Betemit to start getting the lion's share of the at-bats.

Mike Aviles doubled twice and knocked in three runs Wednesday as the Royals beat the Twins 10-5.

After five straight days off, Aviles started at DH on Tuesday and third base today. He's still hitting just .156 after this one, but incredibly, all five of his hits have gone for extra-bases. Last year, just 21 percent of his hits went for extra-bases, giving him a modest .413 slugging percentage to go along with a fine .304 average. Aviles will keep playing against lefties for now. Whether he's in there against righties will probably be a day-to-day decision.

Mike Aviles is the designated hitter for Tuesday's game against the Twins.

Kila Ka'aihue takes a seat against the left-hander Brian Duensing while Billy Butler plays first base. It's nice to see Aviles back in the starting lineup, but it's worth noting that Wilson Betemit is playing third base.

Royals manager Ned Yost indicated that Mike Aviles is likely to sit out a second straight game Saturday.

Aviles has just three hits in his first 26 at-bats and has also made three errors. Wilson Betemit is expected to start again in Aviles' place Saturday. "We'll give Wilson a stab at it for a day or two," Yost said. "I'd be lying if I didn't say there was some concern there (with Aviles)." "The way I see it," Aviles said, "up is the only way to go. I can't go any farther down. And I mean on both sides (of the ball)." We'd expect Aviles to regain his starting spot soon.