MLB Player News

Shaw was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Monday.

Shaw seemed to be competing for a regular role this spring, but he won't get the chance to make an impression at the big-league level right away. He'll head back to prove himself at the Triple-A level, where he owns a .273/.317/.516 slash line with a worryingly high 32.0 percent strikeout rate over 189 games.

The Dodgers optioned Beaty to their minor-league camp Sunday, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Beaty was one of five position players sent packing as the Dodgers reduced their contingent at big-league camp to 50 men. The 25-year-old first baseman is expected to open the 2019 campaign at Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he slashed .277/.378/.406 across 120 plate appearances last season.

Alonso has impressed Mets manager Mickey Callaway with his all-around game and maturity this spring, Deesha Thosar of The New York Daily News reports.

The 24-year-old has been as advertised at the plate, crushing his third homer of the spring over the replica Green Monster at the Red Sox's facility Saturday to push his slash line to .423/.464/.885 through nine games, but the manager has been just as wowed by his defense and focus. "I kind of knew the offense was going to be somewhat special. So for me, the defense and how locked in to a game he is every day (is surprising)," Callaway said. "First base, you have to be locked in on every situation and he is very, very locked in. All the little things that it takes to be a quality major-league player, he's doing them on defense. That's probably been the most surprising thing." Dominic Smith is also having a big spring, potentially giving the Mets front office an out if it wants to send Alonso back to Triple-A for a few weeks to delay starting his service-time clock, but he's doing everything he can to prove he deserves a spot on the Opening Day roster.

France (head) went 1-for-1 with a two-RBI double in Saturday's spring game against the Reds.

France was hit in the head by a pitch Friday and exited the game, but he was able to come off the bench to play third base Saturday. The 24-year-old avoided a concussion and went through a full workout prior to Saturday's game to gain clearance.

Hiura went 2-for-3 with a home run, a walk and four RBI in Saturday's spring game against the Athletics.

Hiura now has a home run in back-to-back games as he's started to heat up in Cactus League play, going 5-for-11 in the last five games. The 22-year-old is destined to begin the season at Triple-A San Antonio with the re-signing of Mike Moustakas likely delaying his promotion.

France went through a full workout Saturday after getting hit in the head by a pitch the day before, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

France left the game after the at-bat but initial reports were positive and he avoided a concussion. He clarified Saturday that the pitch didn't hit anything other than the flap of his helmet, so it doesn't appear that he'll be out long.

Rizzo will hit third and serve as the Cubs' designated hitter for Saturday's split-squad Cactus League game against the Angels, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Rizzo will play for the second day in a row after starting at first base in Friday's 9-3 win over the Mariners and finishing 3-for-3 with his first home run of the spring. After four straight seasons of 30-plus long balls, Rizzo finished with only 25 in 2018. While that downturn rendered Rizzo somewhat of a disappointment for fantasy purposes, the improved plate discipline he displayed last season in addition to a 34.1 percent hard-hit rate that was roughly on par with his career mark offers optimism that he'll bounce back in the power department.

Hiura hit a pinch-hit two-run homer in Friday's spring game.

Hiura recorded just one hit over his first six spring games, but he's heated up over the last week, going 3-for-8 over his last four contests. The Brewers will be patient with their top prospect this year after bringing back Mike Moustakas to play second base, so Hiura is unlikely to join the team until later in the season unless injuries hit or he really forces the issue at the Triple-A level.

France isn't believed to have suffered a concussion after getting hit in the head by a pitch Friday against Oakland, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

France is still slated to be evaluated by the Padres' team doctors once the team returns to Peoria, but it appears as though he's dodged a major bullet. He'll be considered day-to-day until he undergoes further evaluation.

France does not have a concussion after getting hit in the head by a pitch Friday, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

The pitch struck the flap of France's helmet before hitting him in the jaw. His initial examination by team doctors was encouraging, though it's not yet clear if he'll still need to miss time.