MLB Player News

Arraez (illness) will start at third base and bat cleanup in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox.

Arraez was scratched ahead of Monday's game against the Red Sox due to allergies, but he's feeling healthy enough to play in the rematch with Boston in Minnesota's spring finale. Tuesday's lineup looks to be a preview of what the Twins will roll out Opening Day against the Mariners on Thursday, so Arraez looks like he'll begin the season in a prominent spot in the batting order.

Ibanez went 2-for-3 with two solo home runs in Monday's spring training game against the Padres.

Ibanez has hit in four straight games and is slashing .357/.424/1.138 over 30 plate appearances. When spring training started, the third base job was his to lose, so it's safe to say Ibanez will man the hot corner come Opening Day on Friday in Toronto. The Rangers used him everywhere in the batting order, but lately he's found himself in the lower-third.

The White Sox optioned Gonzalez to Triple-A Charlotte on Monday.

Gonzalez's demotion likely paves the way for Danny Mendick to break camp with the White Sox as a utility infielder. The 25-year-old Gonzalez should play on an everyday basis at Charlotte, but after producing a 1.121 OPS in his 15 games with the affiliate in 2021, he may have little left to prove in the minors at this stage.

Espinal got the start at second base and hit ninth in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees, going 1-for-2 with a walk, a double and a run scored.

The 27-year-old hit a surprising .311 with two homers and six steals over 222 at-bats last year, and Espinal heads into Opening Day as the Blue Jays' top infield utility player. Cavan Biggio is hardly a lock to keep the starting second base job, however, and if his 2021 struggles continue, Espinal could once again get more playing time than expected.

Arraez was scratched from the lineup for Monday's game against Boston due to allergies, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Arraez was due to play first base, a position he's gotten a bit of experience at this spring in an effort to further expand his defensive versatility. His absence Monday is unlikely to significantly impact his readiness for the upcoming season.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch confirmed Sunday that Castro has secured a spot on the Opening Day roster, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Castro is expected to see most of his work this season as a backup infielder, though his experience at all three outfield spots gives him an added layer of versatility. When given regular playing time, Castro has shown the ability to hit for contact at a high rate (.291 lifetime average, 22.2 percent strikeout rate), but a lack of power and speed limits his fantasy intrigue.

Clement has made the Guardians' Opening Day roster, Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Clement secured a reserve role with the major-league club after he hit .455 with two home runs, three doubles, eight RBI, five runs and four strikeouts across 10 Cactus League appearances this spring. He slashed .231/.285/.339 with three homers, 16 runs and nine RBI across 40 games with Cleveland last year.

Barreto was reassigned to minor-league camp Saturday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Barreto joined the Astros on a minor-league deal in late March, and he'll begin the 2022 campaign at Triple-A Sugar Land. Across three appearances this spring, the 26-year-old went 2-for-5 with a home run and two RBI.

Manager Joe Maddon said Saturday that Mayfield has made the Angels' Opening Day roster, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Mayfield has performed relatively well in spring training, slashing .292/.346/.625 with two homers, two doubles, eight RBI, three runs and two walks in 12 Cactus League games. He appeared in 87 games between the Mariners and Angels last year, and he'll be part of a platoon at second base to begin the 2022 campaign.

Altuve plans on stealing more bases this season, Jim Bowden of The Athletic reports.

Players claiming they're about to steal more bases is nearly as common a spring trope as the classic "best shape of my life" line. Altuve's bat hasn't dipped too far from his peak levels, but he's stolen a total of just 13 bases over the last three years, a low number for someone who had six straight seasons with over 30 steals earlier in his career, with a personal best of 56 in 2014. His sprint speed dropped from the 89th percentile in 2020 to the 72nd percentile last year, however, so it's probably unwise to project him for many more than the five bases he stole in 2021.