MLB Player News

Singleton is running out of time to earn the Astros' starting first base job, Evan Drellich of the Houston Chroncile reports.

Singleton is just 6-for-40 (.150) this spring with 15 strikeouts and only three walks. Tyler White (.344) and A.J. Reed (.258) have out-performed the 24-year-old, but Singleton may still win the job anyway due to his $10 million guaranteed contract. With a little over two weeks remaining in spring training, this position battle figure to come down to the wire.

Santana was scratched from Sunday's lineup due to mild discomfort in his back, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Manager Terry Francona stated that the injury isn't thought to be serious, meaning the respite is merely a precautionary measure to ensure Santana is ready for Opening Day. In 12 games this spring, Santana has put together a formidable .353/.421/.588 slash line, one homer, three RBI, six runs, and four walks versus one strikeout in 34 at-bats.

Solano was reassigned to minor league camp Saturday.

He was a long shot to make the roster to begin with, but a lower-back injury squashed any chance Solano had this spring. Solano played in 361 games with Miami from 2012-2015.

Roller was reassigned to minor league camp Saturday.

As a non-roster invitee, Roller had a strong showing in Rays camp this spring with a .429 batting average and four RBI over 14 at-bats. However, with Opening Day looming, the Rays needed to trim down their roster and made a series of moves Saturday. The 27-year-old first baseman saw his batting average take a major dip at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre last season, going from .283 to .232. He'll likely start the season at Triple-A Durham.

Calhoun has collected 10 hits in 28 at-bats over 10 games this spring.

Only two of those hits have gone for extra bases, but Calhoun is looking comfortable at the plate as he attempts to build on the career-best 26 home runs he hit last season. The power surge may have altered the Angels' perception of Calhoun, as Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reported last week that he will likely bat fifth against right-handed pitching.

Singleton went 2-for-4 with a two-run double and a solo home run Wednesday during the Astros' 7-3 Grapefruit League loss to the Tigers.

"It's nice to see him have a good day," manager A.J. Hinch said of Singleton, who raised his spring batting average from .104 to .152 with the performance. "He's worked pretty hard, and he hasn't had a day like this yet. Obviously he has it in him. To see him have a day like today is a nice fresh start for him for the rest of camp." The 24-year-old arrived in camp as the favorite to win the Astros' starting first base job, but he'll have to beat out A.J. Reed, Tyler White and Matt Duffy for the role.

Santana was sent home Wednesday with an illness, Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com reports.

It appears the bug that's been going around Indians has reached the first baseman. Despite being sent home, this issue shouldn't linger for very long, and Santana should be back in the lineup fairly soon.

Walker played in left field during Tuesday's Grapefruit league game and went 1-for-3 with a double.

The outfield is new to Walker, who is a first baseman with very little minor league experience at third base. Things went well Tuesday, as Walker picked up an outfield assist by gunning down Troy Tulowitzki at third base. With plenty of depth at the MLB level at first base, Walker might be able to find a new avenue to make the team by converting to the outfield. It was not thought to be likely that Walker would break camp with the Orioles, but Hyun-soo Kim has struggled this spring and the team appears to be opening iself up to other options.

Singleton went 1-for-4 with a stolen base as the DH during Monday's 1-1 Grapefruit League tie against Washington.

The 24-year-old did not strike out during the game, but he's fanned 11 times over 27 Grapefruit League at-bats with only one walk to his credit. Singleton's inability to make consistent contact will hurt his chances of winning the Astros' starting first base job, as his main competition -- A.J. Reed (.318), Tyler White (.370) and Matt Duffy (three home runs) -- are off to blistering starts this spring.

Walker went 2-for-3 with a home run in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins.

Walker did not stand out last season at Triple-A, but he has been one of the better bats for the Orioles this spring. He is the only member of the club with multiple home runs. Walker is still ticketed for Triple-A and he might need multiple injuries in order to see playing time in Baltimore this season.