MLB Player News

Manzardo is opening the year at Triple-A Durham, MLB.com reports.

While Manzardo is widely considered to be one of the best hitters in the minors, the Rays had cover to send him back to Double-A for a month or two since he only played 30 games there last season, but they didn't mess around with this assignment. Manzardo's Triple-A teammate Curtis Mead is on the 40-man roster already and likely ahead in the promotion hierarchy, but it's possible Manzardo kicks the door down sometime this summer.

The Tigers acquired Paulson from the Rays in exchange for cash considerations Friday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

It's the second time he's been traded, as Paulson also went from the Dodgers to the Rays back in December of 2020 as part of a three-team deal which sent Jose Alvarado to the Phillies. The 25-year-old Paulson hasn't played much the last two seasons due to an ACL tear.

Guerrero went 2-for-4 with three RBI in a wild 10-9 Opening Day win over the Cardinals on Thursday.

The first baseman did all of his damage late -- Guerrero drove home two with a single to right field in the eighth inning on a 102.9 mph fastball from Jordan Hicks, setting the stage for a dramatic ninth-inning at-bat against St. Louis closer Ryan Helsley that resulted in a game-winning sacrifice fly. Guerrero came three RBI short of 100 in 2022 after bringing home 111 the year before, but the 24-year-old could easily top those numbers this season given his talent and the stacked lineup around him.

France went 3-for-4 with a three-run homer in Thursday's 3-0 victory over the Guardians.

The Mariners and Guardians were locked in a scoreless tie until France punched one to the opposite field and over the right-field wall in the bottom of the eighth inning. He also had a single and a double earlier in the game and was the only player on either side with multiple hits. France struggled in the second half last season while battling through a nagging wrist injury, but he's healthy now and should be a good source for batting average with decent power from the middle of Seattle's lineup.

Casas went 0-for-2 with a walk and two RBI in Thursday's 10-9 loss to Baltimore.

Casas had a pair of productive outs -- a groundout and sacrifice fly -- while batting sixth for Boston. The 23-year-old is expected to be the team's primary first baseman, meaning he'll start against both lefties and righties, but he could slip further down the order against southpaws.

Kirilloff (wrist) was placed on the 10-day injured list. The Twins are hopefully to get him in some rehab games "probably in the next few weeks," head athletic trainer Nick Paparesta told the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

Kirilloff is working his way back from surgery last August to shorten the ulnar bone in his right wrist and clean up scar tissue. It appeared he would be ready for Opening Day as he had played in minor league games late in the spring. The Twins later declared he wouldn't be ready for Opening Day though it appeared he could return in early April. However, Paparesta's comments make it sound like Kirilloff may need to play rehab games in the minors first. He may not be activated from the injured list until late April or May as a result.

Noda should be in line for "ample time" at first base this season while Jesus Aguilar primarily fills the designated hitter role, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

A Rule 5 Draft selection that made the Opening Day roster thanks in large part to his promising power, Noda could be in line for a bigger role than initially expected if Gallegos' prognosis proves accurate. Four of Noda's 11 hits during Cactus League play went for extra bases, and he also belted 20 or more homers in three of five minor-league stops. Noda has yet to log a regular-season plate appearance at the big-league level, but that could potentially change as soon as Thursday's opener against the Angels.

The Rangers optioned Harris to Double-A Frisco on Wednesday.

Texas initially planned to have Harris report to Triple-A Round Rock after he was optioned out of big-league camp earlier this month, but he'll end up making a return trip to Frisco, where he spent the entire 2022 campaign. The 23-year-old outfielder, who was added to the 40-man roster over the winter, likely won't have to wait long to get his first taste of Triple-A. He was productive over his 86 games with Frisco a season ago, slashing .259/.346/.485 with 18 home runs and 19 stolen bases in 387 plate appearances.

Beaty was reassigned Tuesday to the minor-league side of Royals camp.

Beaty lost out in his pursuit of a bench spot in Kansas City despite an impressive showing at the plate in the Cactus League. He went just 4-for-43 (.093) in 20 major-league games with the Padres in 2022.

Solano started at DH and went 1-for-4 with a home run in Monday's spring training win over Pittsburgh. He's hitting .158 with a .509 OPS this spring.

Despite his underwhelming hitting stats this spring, Solano is set to make the roster as a utility infielder. He could get some extra playing time in April with both Jorge Polanco and Alex Kirilloff set to begin the season on the injured list. However, he's likely the secondary option off the bench as both Kyle Farmer and Nick Gordon can move around the infield as well. Solano did play some first base this spring and could get a few starts there as well.