MLB Player News

Andrus is 5-for-14 with a double, a triple, three RBI, a walk and four runs over his last four spring starts.

Andrus' 2-for-4 day against the Dodgers on Friday pushed his spring average over the Mendoza Line to .205 and was only his second multi-hit effort in 14 Cactus League contests. The recent flashes with the bat are particularly welcome in Andrus' case, as he's being counted on as the everyday shortstop and is coming off a 2020 season in which he slashed an unsightly .194/.252/.330 with the Rangers (111 plate appearances).

Kemp is 4-for-8 with two doubles, a walk and two runs in his last three spring starts.

The versatile veteran's ability to fill in at both second base and the outfield helps his cause from a defensive standpoint, but it certainly doesn't hurt Kemp that he's picked it up at the plate in recent games after seeing his spring average dip as low as .190 at one point. Looking ahead to the regular season, the 29-year-old still projects to see time at the keystone in tandem with Jed Lowrie, who Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports has made the Opening Day roster.

Ibanez was sent to minor-league camp Saturday, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

Ibanez was potentially in the mix to break camp as a designated hitter following injuries to Willie Calhoun (groin) and Khris Davis (quadriceps), but he was always a long shot. He could make his big-league debut at some point this year but isn't on the 40-man roster, so he won't necessarily be one of the first names to get the call.

Espinal was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday.

Espinal's ability to fill in at shortstop and second base should make him one of the top candidates for a call-up should injuries strike the Blue Jays' infield, but there's no room for him on the Opening Day roster. His .267/.308/.333 slash line in his 27-game debut last year doesn't suggest he'll be all that interesting to fantasy teams should he find himself with unexpected playing time.

Castro has been informed that he'll make the Tigers' Opening Day roster, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Castro was competing for a roster spot with Renato Nunez during camp, but Nunez was informed Saturday that he won't begin the season on the major-league roster. As a result, Castro will secure a bench role for Detroit to begin the year. The 27-year-old has hit .250 with two doubles and four RBI over 17 spring games.

With Bradley Zimmer and Oscar Mercado failing to make the major league roster, Rosario will compete with Ben Gamel for the staring center field role, MLB.com reports. "The plan is to put him out there," manager Terry Francona said. "Whether it's Opening Day -- I don't know, I have to work through that a little bit. I want to try to put him in the best position to succeed."

It sounds like Cleveland is set to give Rosario regular duty in center field as soon as he proves he can handle the position defensively after some shaky moments this spring. Gamel may begin the year as the starter, but the role could be in flux throughout the season.

Jones was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Friday, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Jones was traded from the Angels to the Orioles at the beginning of February and appeared in 17 spring games, but he'll begin the season in the minors. The 23-year-old hit .143 with one home run and four RBI this spring and has appeared in just three major-league games during his career.

Biggio (finger) returned to game action Thursday, but he remains sore, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Biggio took a groundball off his finger Monday, which didn't cause a major injury. However, he disclosed that it caused a blood blister and that he remains sore. The issue doesn't appear likely to cost him game time in the regular season.

Arauz was optioned to Boston's minor-league camp Thursday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Arauz made his big-league debut in 2020, but he faced an uphill battle to start the 2021 campaign with the team after the signings of Enrique Hernandez and Marwin Gonzalez. Given his ability to play both second and third base, Arauz is likely to help fill in if any injuries hit the team's infield during the season.

Castro is still in the mix for an Opening Day roster spot, as the Tigers may carry him and Niko Goodrum as utility players, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

The Tigers optioned Isaac Paredes to the minors Thursday and informed Greg Garcia he won't make the team, and both moves improve Castro's chances of earning a bench role. Conventional wisdom around camp has been that Paredes and Renato Nunez were battling for one role, so it's unclear how Castro fits into the mix after Thursday's cutdown.