MLB Player News

Tellez was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Tellez received his first cup of coffee in the majors in September and hit well with a .314/.329/.614 slash line and four home runs in 73 plate appearances, though he did strike out 21 times. The 24-year-old always figured to begin the season at Buffalo, but he didn't make the decision an easy one with five home runs and a .908 OPS this spring.

Diaz will be one of three players filling in at third base during Matt Duffy's (hamstring) stay on the injured list, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Duffy will miss at least the first seven games of the season as a result of his troublesome hamstring injury. Diaz and the versatile duo of Daniel Robertson and Joey Wendle are all slated to help man the hot corner during his absence. Given the nature of soft-tissue injuries and the fits and starts Duffy has already endured with the hamstring this spring, there's also a chance the veteran infielder is sidelined for more than just the minimum time. Whenever Diaz does shift across the infield from first base, Ji-Man Choi or Brandon Lowe will likely slot into the latter position.

Olson's surgery Friday was to repair a broken hamate bone, Andrew Simon of MLB.com reports. While there's no official timetable for his return, typically those injuries require 6-to-8 weeks off before the player can resume normal activity.

Often hitters struggle to hit for power even after returning from these procedures, and in many other instances, there are setbacks in the recovery process. With such a long period of inactivity, Olson almost certainly is going to need a lengthy recovery period and subsequent rehab assignment.

Gurriel went 1-for-2 with a solo home run and a walk in Friday's game against the Mets.

The homer was Gurriel's first of what has been a stellar spring. He started out hot and hasn't let up, posting a .371 average and 1.036 OPS over 35 at-bats. Manager AJ Hinch plans to move him around the infield, much as did last season, so Gurriel may bring position versatility to fantasy lineups. His bat doesn't profile as powerful as a traditional corner infielder, but he'll be helpful for roster construction if he's qualified at middle infield (15 starts at 2B in 2018).

Olson underwent successful surgery on his right hand Friday, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Olson injured his hand during the team's opening series against the Mariners. The A's have yet to provide a timetable for his return, though he figures to begin the season on the IL, with Mark Canha and Chad Pinder handling first-base duties while Olson is out.

Dixon was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on Thursday.

Dixon was a long shot to break camp with the Tigers, and his .171/.286/.371 line in camp didn't do much to help his case. He'll wait for an injury to open up a roster spot.

Olson left Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Mariners in the sixth inning with right hand pain, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports. He went 1-for-2 with a run scored before departing.

The Athletics aren't likely to provide an update on the severity of Olson's injury until he's re-evaluated in California when the team arrives back from Japan. According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, Olson experienced the pain in his hand after fouling off a pitch and had difficulty gripping the bat, which suggests his injury may be more than a day-to-day concern. If Olson is forced to miss time, Mark Canha or Chad Pinder could be in line for more action at first base.

The Twins will start breaking Kirilloff in at first base this season, Twins Daily reports.

This makes all the sense in the world, as Kirilloff has filled out since his days as an amateur and the Twins have a crowded outfield already, without factoring in last year's first-round pick Trevor Larnach, who is a corner outfielder/designated hitter and on the fast track to the majors. A move to first base does not negatively impact Kirilloff's fantasy stock.

Abreu started at designated hitter and went 2-for-4 with two home runs and three RBI in Tuesday's game against the Reds.

Abreu is cruising through the Cactus League with a .333 average (15-for-45) to go along with his four home runs and 14 RBI over 15 games. The 32-year-old is coming off MLB-career lows in games (128), homers (22) and RBI (78) in 2018, and the White Sox hope to coax more at-bats and production out of him this season by giving Abreu more starts as the designated hitter.

Cabrera went 1-for-3 with a walk against the Dodgers on Monday and is hitting .387 (12-for-31) over 13 spring games.

Cabrera, who batted out of the five hole Monday, has been a constant presence in the middle of Texas' order during Cactus League games. The Rangers feel confident in his ability to handle the transition to being the everyday third baseman. A sign of that was when they sent Patrick Wisdom to Triple-A Nashville earlier this week. At some point, the 33-year-old may slow down, but he's played no fewer than 135 games (540 plate appearances) since 2011.