MLB Player News

Gurriel went 2-for-3 with his first spring home run in Tuesday's game against the Marlins.

Gurriel will be Houston's starting first baseman, but he may not be the prototypical one that hits 25-30 homers. The 32-year-old hit just three in 36 games for Houston in 2016, which projects out to 14 over a 162-game season. That's a pretty simplistic metric with which to evaluate his power, but his home run totals were on the decline in Cuba. He's also learning a new defensive position, which could be a hindrance to a player's offense. We're not recommending you completely avoid Gurriel, but understand we need to see him play more regularly in the States.

O'Hearn was reassigned to the Royals' minor league camp Monday, MLB.com's Jeffrey Flanagan reports.

An unheralded eighth-round draft pick in 2014, O'Hearn has emerged as a top-10 prospect in the Royals system thanks to his excellent power. He combined to smack 22 homers across High-A Wilmington and Double-A Northwest Arkansas last season, but endured more struggles at the latter stop, as his ISO dropped nearly 140 points. The 23-year-old will likely head back to Northwest Arkansas to begin the 2017 season, with improving his plate discipline representing his chief goal.

Manager John Gibbons said Monday that Tellez will report to Triple-A Buffalo to begin the season, Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun reports.

Tellez impressed the Blue Jays' brass with his strong plate discipline during spring training, but the 22-year-old didn't warrant any serious attention for an Opening Day roster spot, despite the team's lack of depth at first base. After a breakout season at Double-A New Hampshire in which he swatted 23 homers, Tellez will have to prove the power he displayed wasn't a fluke while moving up to Triple-A, but his existing contact skills should at least give him a decent floor once he matriculates to the majors.

Singleton has been reassigned to minor league camp, MLB.com's Brian McTaggart reports.

Singleton was 4-for-21 at the plate during Grapefruit League play, scoring three runs and driving in two during what will end up being a short spring. The next step for the 25-year-old, who was removed from the team's 40-man roster in April, remains to be seen. Singleton should still get some run at Triple-A Fresno, but after hitting just .202 and striking out at a 24.8 percent clip last year, he'll need to quickly turn things around in order to even keep his job there.

Gurriel made a nice defensive play at first base during Friday's game, an indication that his transition to the new position is going well, Glenn Sattell of MLB.com reports. "He's been good," manager A.J. Hinch said of the transition. "He's just adapting to some of the intricacies of the position -- foot placement, tags, positioning."

Gurriel's play Friday was routine for a seasoned first baseman, but he showed good instincts for a player still learning the position. He gloved a hard-hit ball down the line, stepped on first base, and made the throw to second base to complete a double play that helped Dallas Keuchel get out of trouble. Hinch is confident Gurriel has the glove and footwork of an infielder that will make the transition easier, but now wants to see how the 32-year-old reacts to events unique to first-base play.

Olson was optioned to Triple-A Nashville on Friday.

Olson made his Athletics debut last season after rosters expanded, but he has played just one season above Double-A ball and has shown significant strikeout issues in the minors, so he needs more seasoning before becoming a regular in Oakland. Olson mustered a .757 OPS despite just a .235 batting average last year, so if he can find a way to make more contact, he could become a staple in the Athletics outfield.

Carter went 0-for-3 with a walk and one RBI in Thursday's game.

The slugger was back in the lineup Thursday after missing a few games with an illness, but his struggles at the plate continued. He is just 4-for-28 (.143) with one home run and three RBI through 12 games this spring, which isn't helping his bid for playing time over Greg Bird and Matt Holiday.

Gillaspie went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 3-3 Grapefruit League tie with the Red Sox.

The 2014 first-round draft pick blasted his third round-tripper over the last four games when he took reliever Marcus Walden deep in the sixth. Gillaspie has had mixed results at the plate this spring (.241/.290/.552), but the power he's displayed in recent games has certainly been a highlight.

Diaz went 1-for-2 as a designated hitter in Tuesday's game against the Giants.

The 25-year-old has missed the last 10 days dealing with a groin injury he sustained while running the bases earlier in spring. He came in as a pinch-hitter, but slotted in as the DH and didn't play the field. With two starters -- Jason Kipnis and Michael Brantley -- on the mend with shoulder injuries, Diaz has a real shot to make the Opening Day roster if he impresses the rest of spring,

Carter was scratched from Wednesday's lineup due to an illness, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

He'll be replaced by Greg Bird in the lineup while he works his way back. The slugger isn't helping his bid for playing time, as he is just 4-for-25 (.160) with one homer through 11 games this spring. Consider him day-to-day until the Yankees specify otherwise.