MLB Player News

Biggio (finger) is starting Thursday's spring game against the Tigers.

Biggio was scratched from Wednesday's lineup with right finger discomfort, but he underwent X-rays that revealed no fracture. As a result, he'll be back in action just one day later, and it's unlikely that the issue will impact his availability for Opening Day.

Altuve is the favorite to be the Astros' leadoff man this season, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Myles Straw and Carlos Correa had been previously mentioned as potential leadoff hitters, but Altuve has been filling the role in recent games and received an endorsement from manager Dusty Baker on Tuesday. Exactly what the 30-year-old has left in the tank is unclear, as his slash line cratered to .219/.286/.344 in in the regular season last year, though he went on to hit .375/.500/.729 in 13 playoff games. He may not run as much as he used to, but it's certainly possible he bounces most of the way back at the plate and returns to being one of the league's premier contact hitters.

Ibanez could make the Rangers' roster as a right-handed designated hitter, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Ibanez entered the DH mix after the Rangers announced Khris Davis (quadriceps) will miss a minimum of three weeks. That's on top of Willie Calhoun (groin), who has been ruled out to start the season. Davis was expected to serve as the primary designated hitter and a right-handed balance to a lefty-dominant order. That means Ibanez could claim a roster spot, but he would need to be added to the 40-man roster. That might be a roster complication for the Rangers, so they could opt to wait until Davis is ready to return, getting by in the interim with lefties like Ronald Guzman or Nate Lowe, with the additional possibility of keeping righty Eli White on the major-league roster.

Rengifo was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old appeared to be a safe bet to make the Opening Day roster with Franklin Barreto (elbow) recently sidelined 4-to-6 weeks, but Rengifo will end up opening the season in the minors. He was competing for a super-utility role in spring training and had a .250/.389/.393 slash line in 28 at-bats, but it wasn't enough to earn a roster spot. Rengifo missed the cut for Opening Day, but he should join the Angels at some point this season.

Mayfield was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday.

The 30-year-old was acquired from the Braves for cash considerations in February but was unable to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster. Mayfield will likely fill a utility role if he receive a big-league chance this season.

Gimenez appears to have secured the everyday shortstop job for Cleveland as Opening Day approaches, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.

Gimenez and Amed Rosario opened camp in contention for shortstop duties, but Cleveland has since experimented with Rosario in the outfield more frequently, signaling that he's now being viewed as more of a utility player. The decision doesn't come as a surprise given the superior defense Gimenez demonstrated during both players' time together in the Mets organization, but the 22-year-old has continued to display some promise at the plate this spring, too. Though he has yet to attempt a steal in 13 games, Gimenez is slashing .286/.342/.571 with two home runs and two triples.

Biggio underwent X-rays on Wednesday that revealed no fracture to his pinkie finger, Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star reports.

Biggio was scratched from Wednesday's spring lineup due to finger discomfort, but it doesn't appear as though he'll be forced to miss additional time. Manager Charlie Montoyo said Wednesday that Biggio is currently considered day-to-day. It's unlikely that the injury will limit the 25-year-old's availability for Opening Day.

Biggio has been scratched from Wednesday's spring lineup against the Yankees due to right pinky finger discomfort.

Biggio was initially slated to bat second and play third base Wednesday, but Randal Grichuk will now bat second while Breyvic Valera joins Toronto's lineup, playing first base and batting ninth. Biggio had been putting together a strong spring this year and will serve as Toronto's primary third baseman if he's healthy to begin the season, but the severity of Biggio's injury isn't yet known.

Rengifo is expected to break camp with the Angels now that Franklin Barreto has been shut down 4-to-6 weeks due to elbow inflammation, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Rengifo and Barreto had been battling this spring for one of the team's final roster spots, and the latter's injury likely means that Rengifo will make the cut as a reserve middle infielder. The 24-year-old has been doing his part to earn the role in Cactus League play, slashing .292/.419/.458 with a home run, seven RBI and two stolen bases.

Chavis went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Monday's spring game against Tampa Bay.

It was his sixth spring homer, tying him with Bobby Dalbec for the team lead. The right-handed hitter is slashing .302/.362/.767 in an effort to claim the final bench spot. His main competition for the roster, Christian Arroyo, also went deep Monday and is slashing .300/.349/.550 with three homers and eight RBI.