MLB Player News

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."

Rays manager Kevin Cash told reporters that Logan Forsythe will still receive some playing time at first base this spring. However, the Rays may revisit John Jaso as a possible backup to James Loney, and will consider outfielder Steven Souza only "in a pinch," according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said infielder Nick Franklin is in between the gray area of 4-6 weeks and 6-8 weeks of recovery and rehab for his oblique injury, per The Tampa Tribune.

Franklin, who will begin the season on the disabled list, is expected to platoon at second base with Logan Forsythe and back up Asdrubal Cabrera at shortstop when healthy.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Wednesday infielder Logan Forsythe will get the majority of playing time at second base to open the season with Nick Franklin sidelined due to an oblique injury, per the Tampa Bay Times.

The two infielders are expected to platoon at second base when Franklin is healthy.

The 28-year-old Forysthe has a career .235/.303/.343/.646 slash line. He played in a career-high 110 games in 2014.

"I think Logan's had a good spring," Cash said, per MLB.com. "Logan's a good defender. Plays second base really well.

"I think we're all very happy about the way his spring has gone. Him and [Rays hitting coach Derek Shelton] have had a lot of discussions on some adjustments and they seem to have paid off. He's barreled a lot of balls this spring."

Rays manager Kevin Cash revealed that infielder Nick Franklin "will not be ready for Opening Day," according to the Tampa Bay Times. Franklin was scratched from the lineup after suffering a strained oblique on the last swing of batting practice Monday.  

The Rangers are invested in shortstop Elvis Andrus. The veteran is signed through 2022 and after the struggles of last year, general manager Jon Daniels wants to see him move forward, reports MLB.com.

"We invested in him because we thought he was arrow-up. We've been encouraged this winter and this spring by the feeling that he's kind of recommitted, after last year being below his standards.

"We don't see why he can't be one of the best defensive players and baserunners in the game. He controls the bat, he can get on base, do some different things. I don't expect him to hit for power, but I think he can be an impactful player. He's a winning player."

Andrus, a defensive-minded player, was told by manager Jeff Bannister he should be able to win a Gold Glove.

"I'm working on it," Andrus said. "It's easy to say. But you have to go out there and be consistent, especially on routine ground balls. That's one of the things I'm working on right now. I know that if I can make that happen, I would have a chance to win."

Rays infielder Nick Franklin was scratched from the spring lineup Monday after suffering an injury to his left side, the team announced. Franklin was diagnosed with a strained left oblique, per The Tampa Tribune.

Franklin said he suffered the injury on the last swing of batting practice Monday. He doesn't know the timetable for his return, but he thinks his status for Opening Day is in jeopardy.

Earlier Monday, manager Kevin Cash said Franklin will platoon at second base with Logan Forsythe and serve as a backup shortstop to Asdrubal Cabrera, who was named the starting shortstop.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Monday infielder Nick Franklin, who lost out on the starting shortstop job to Asdrubal Cabrera, will platoon at second base with Logan Forsythe, according to The Tampa Tribune.

Franklin is a switch-hitter, while Forsythe bats right-handed.

Rays manager Kevin Cash made it official Monday, naming Asdrubal Cabrera the team's starting shortstop. He beat out Nick Franklin and Tim Beckham, who were also competing for the starting job this spring.

"I don't think you're going to find a more sure-handed shortstop than Cabby," Cash said.

Cabrera is a two-time All-Star while playing at shortstop. He has spent most of his MLB career at shortstop (731 games). Although, the Rays were considering using him at both shortstop and second base this season before Cash made his announcement Monday.

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve was one of the most deadly base stealers in baseball last season. This year, manager A.J. Hinch wants to ensure Altuve is being smart on the base paths, not just when he's stealing a base, reports MLB.com.

"Like anything, it's all built on trust," Hinch said. "You want your players to play with freedom, and if they feel like they need to take an extra base they can take an extra base. They have the freedom to play. By no means do I want to put a ton of restrictions on them, but you want to make sure they know the situation."

Baserunning instructor Gary Pettis, who stole 354 bases in his career, is working to help Altuve make smart decisions on the base paths.

"You don't want to run just to steal bases," he said. "A stolen base gets you in scoring position. Now if you rack up numbers doing that, great. You're helping the team and you help yourself also because of the numbers, but you're stealing to get into scoring position. That's what we're doing."