MLB Player News

The Yankees have purchased the contract of infielder Gregorio Petit from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

The Yankees acquired Petit from the Astros during the last week of camp. He hit .310/.375/.414 in 29 at-bats with the Astros this spring. Petit is expected to fill the utility-infielder role whil Brendan Ryan is sidelined.

Johnny Giavotella was awarded the starting second base job after the Angels optioned infielders Grant Green and Josh Rutledge down to Triple-A Salt Lake following Friday's exhibition game against the Dodgers, according to the Orange County Register.

Giavotella hit .315 (17 for 54) with one home run and seven RBI in 25 spring training games. He has slashed .238/.277/.334 over 437 big-league at-bats.

Rays manager Kevin Cash told reporters that his lineup against the Tigers on Saturday, will be the same he uses on Opening Day, and against right-handed pitchers, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

The club will roll with John Jaso, Steven Souza, Asdrubal Cabrera, Evan Longoria, James Loney, Desmond Jennings, Logan Forsythe, Rene Rivera and Kevin Kiermaier.

Against left-handed pitchers, Cash told reporters he will use Brandon Guyer at the leadoff spot, Jennings and Loney will flip spots in the order, Forsythe will serve as a designated hitter and Tim Beckham will be at second base, per the Tampa Tribune.

Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus went 0 for 3 and struck out twice in his return to the lineup Wednesday as the Rangers fell to the Rockies, 10-4.

Andrus was scratched from Monday's lineup due to stiffness in his lower back but missed little time due to the injury. He has hit .359/.381/.590 in 39 spring at-bats.

The Yankees have acquired infielder Gregorio Petit from the Astros for a player to be named later or cash considerations, the Astros announced Wednesday.

Petit was reassigned to minor-league camp Sunday after failing to win a major-league roster spot with the Astros. He hit .310/.375/.414 in 29 at-bats this spring.

Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus, who was scratched from the lineup Monday due to lower back stiffness, said Tuesday he will resume baseball activities Wednesday, per the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

"There's nothing to worry about," he said.

Andrus is having a pretty good performance at the plate this spring, batting .389 (14 for 36) with one home run, two triples, two doubles, six RBI and four runs in 13 spring games.

Angels second baseman Johnny Giavotella has appeared to win the second-base competition, though he's not getting ahead of himself, MLB.com reports.

"Whether I'm in Triple-A or the big leagues," Giavotella said, "I'm going to prepare myself the same way and make sure I'm ready."

Giavotella is out of minir-league options and has hit .366/.422/.634 with four doubles, two triples and one home run in 41 spring at-bats.

"I think I've opened some eyes that I am capable of being a big leaguer; that I'm a quality option to be that guy to fill the void of Howie Kendrick," Giavotella said. "I think I showed them that I bring a lot of energy to each game, help the lineup out offensively. Even my defense; I feel like I've given them confidence that I can go out and make any play out there."

Giavotella is in the team's starting lineup Monday and batting ninth in what could be a preview of the Angels' regular-season lineup.

Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus has been scratched from Monday's starting lineup due to stiffness in his lower back, the team announced.

Andrus has been in the midst of a fine spring, hitting .389/.410/.639 with one home run, two doubles and two triples in 36 at-bats.

Rays second baseman Logan Forsythe is working to become a more consistent hitter, regardless of his role on the team, reports the Tampa Bay Times.

"I think consistency depends on how you feel at the plate if the rhythm and timing are there," Forsythe said. "Last year I think that my swing was at a good point to where the rhythm and timing were there going into playing every day, so when I got into that consistency of more at-bats, more playing time, my swing kind of came out more. It's not hit or miss, but I think there's certain times in the season when the swing is there and it's not there. That's baseball."

Forsythe hit .223 with 26 RBI in 301 plate appearances in 2014. He is feeling good about his approach with Opening Day right around the corner.

"There's time when you feel good about your swing. It comes based on results you get in a game,” Forsythe said. "That feedback doesn't necessarily always have to be, 'Oh I got a hit.' Or, "I drove a run in.' Or 'I hit a home run.' As long as you put the barrel to the ball, it can be a line drive out or a web gem made on you, that confidence is boosted, and the more opportunity you get when your confidence is up, you're going to get better results."

The Astros optioned third baseman Matt Dominguez and pitchers Jake Buchanan and Max Stassi to the minors Sunday while reassigning shortstop Carlos Correa, infielder Gregorio Petit, catcher Tyler Heineman and pitchers Darin Downs and James Hoyt to minor-league camp.

Dominguez opened last season as the team's starting third baseman but found himself behind in the race for a bench role this spring.

"[Luis] Valbuena had an amazing spring so far and is basically going to be our third baseman and that leaves Matt in competition with some of the other guys for an extra spot on the roster, a spot off the bench, and right now we feel like there’s a couple of other guys ahead of him and he needs to play every day," general manager Jeff Lunhow said, per MLB.com "Right now he’ll go down to Fresno and play third and play some first and be ready when the need arises."

Correa is the team's top-rated prospect but has yet to play above high Class A.

"Carlos is going to be a star player in the big leagues. It’s just a matter of time," Luhnow said. "Having never had an at-bat in Double-A, he needs to go get some regular work in the high minors. He did a great job for us on the field as well as off the field and I think he’s got a lot of fans in the organization and he impressed the big league staff, which is what you want as a young player."