MLB Player News

Rengifo (hamstring) is starting at second base and batting eighth in Sunday's spring game against the Dodgers.

The 27-year-old will return to action as expected this weekend, putting him on track to be available Opening Day. Rengifo is expected to fill a super-utility role this season, though he could see a large chunk of his time at third base.

Manager Matt Quatraro said Saturday that he expects Massey (back) to begin the season on the injured list, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Lower-back problems have kept Massey out of action since Tuesday, and it appears Massey's absence will extend into the regular season after initially being seen as a day-to-day issue. An IL stint for Massey likely means more playing time at second base for Adam Frazier to begin the year, though Nick Loftin may fill in against left-handed starters.

Wong exercised the opt-out in his minor-league contract Friday, giving the Orioles two days to either release him or add him to the big-league roster, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

The veteran second baseman didn't appear likely to crack Baltimore's Opening Day roster after signing as a non-roster invitee in February, but he's apparently still in the mix after the club reassigned top prospect Jackson Holliday to minor-league camp Friday. Wong didn't exactly put his best foot forward during spring training and had a .587 OPS in 31 plate appearances, which is only marginally better than last season's .183/.256/.263 slash line.

Rengifo (hamstring) is scheduled to serve as the designated hitter in Saturday's Cactus League game against the A's, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Rengifo exited Tuesday's exhibition after aggravating a left hamstring injury, but he's expected to rejoin the lineup Saturday after taking a few days off. Assuming he's plays this weekend with no issues, the 27-year-old should be ready to go for Opening Day.

Gonzalez was optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Thursday.

Gonzalez was claimed off waivers by the Red Sox this offseason and was competing for a utility role this spring. However, he struck out 27.8 percent of the time with only a .670 OPS across 36 plate appearances and will now be set to begin the regular season in the minors.

Westburg (elbow) will start at third base and bat cleanup in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Westburg was removed from Tuesday's spring game against the Blue Jays after he was struck on the left elbow by a pitch, but he avoided any structural damage and needed just one day off for the pain and soreness to subside. The 25-year-old is expected to begin the season as the Orioles' primary third baseman, though an early slump could result in him losing work to utility players Ramon Urias and Jorge Mateo.

Rengifo (hamstring) will go through some baseball activities Thursday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Rengifo aggravated his left hamstring injury during Tuesday's game but is feeling much better than when he first was hurt in late February. His readiness for Opening Day remains in question, but the Angels aren't ruling it out. Rengifo is in line for a super utility role this season.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Wednesday that Massey (back) had scans come back fine and is considered day-to-day, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The 25-year-old was scratched from Tuesday's Cactus League lineup due to back tightness, and it appears the scans confirm that initial diagnosis. Massey is receiving treatment and doing some conditioning Wednesday, and it seems like he could be back on the field within the next few days.

Stefanic has been shut down from baseball activities after an MRI on his left quad came back worse than expected, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Stefanic had an MRI after still feeling discomfort in the quad during a running drill and the test revealed the bad news. It's not clear how long this might set the infielder back, but a stint on the injured list to begin the season seems assured.

Rengifo said Wednesday that his left hamstring feels "way better" than it did when he was forced to leave Tuesday's Cactus League game, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Rengifo also hurt the same hamstring back on Feb. 26 but contends that the injury isn't as serious this time around. It's not clear when he might be ready to play in a game again, however, and his readiness for Opening Day certainly still seems to be very much up in the air.