MLB Player News

The Giants optioned Villar to minor-league camp Wednesday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Villar was never a likely bet to make San Francisco's Opening Day roster, though he had a strong showing during spring training with three homers and a 1.093 OPS in 44 plate appearances. The 27-year-old had an .869 OPS at the Triple-A level last season but also struck out at a 26.6 percent clip, and he'll likely need to show improved contact skills to having any staying power in the majors.

The Padres placed Marcano (knee) on the 10-day injured list Tuesday.

Marcano will officially sit out the first portion of the season as he continues to work his way back from a torn ACL in his right knee. The 24-year-old infielder will likely embark on an extended minor-league rehab assignment once he's cleared for game action, but Marcano's placement on the 10-day IL rather than the 60-day list leaves room for a potential early season return.

The Phillies optioned Castro to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday.

Castro was a longshot to make the Phillies' Opening Day roster following the signing of Whit Merrifield, and the former's .646 OPS over 32 plate appearances during spring training didn't help his chances. The 24-year-old played in 92 games between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh last season but had a .211/.297/.322 slash line and 28.9 percent strikeout rate.

McNeil (biceps) is starting at second base and batting cleanup in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Discomfort in his left biceps has kept McNeil out of Grapefruit League action thus far, but he'll make his spring debut Tuesday after playing five frames in a minor-league game over the weekend. The 31-year-old is poised to open the campaign as the Mets' primary second baseman and will get in a few game appearances ahead of the March 28 opener versus Milwaukee.

The Brewers optioned Miller to Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday, Sophia Minnaert of Bally Sports Wisconsin reports.

Miller moved between the majors and minors with the Brewers last season and had a .674 OPS in 90 big-league games. Barring some infield injuries for Milwaukee late in camp, the 27-year-old will open 2024 at Nashville, where he had a .283/.336/.472 slash line last year.

The Brewers reassigned Black to minor-league camp Tuesday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Black entered camp seemingly with a shot to win a wide-open competition at third base, but that job looks as though it could go to Joey Ortiz to begin the season. The top prospect could still get a look with the big club sooner rather than later if he can get off to a nice start at Triple-A Nashville.

The Brewers optioned Dunn to Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Dunn showed well this spring with an .876 OPS, one home run and four stolen bases over 14 Cactus League contests. The 26-year-old has yet to appear in the majors but seems to have a good shot to debut at some point during the 2024 season.

Atlanta reassigned Lopez to minor-league camp March 5.

Lopez didn't make much of a push for a spot on the Opening Day roster, as Atlanta had several other players with prior MLB experience competing with him for a utility role. The 27-year-old switch hitter, who appeared in 76 big-league games with the Reds over the past three seasons, is expected to report to Triple-A Gwinnett to begin the 2024 campaign.

Ortiz has a "good shot" to make the Opening Day roster, according to manager Pat Murphy, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Ortiz is known for his excellent infield defense, but he's no slouch at the plate either. He is slashing .261/.393/.522 with one home run and one steal in 28 Cactus League plate appearances. If the Brewers trade Willy Adames during the season, Ortiz would likely take over as the everyday shortstop, but in the meantime, he could be an everyday option at third base while sometimes shifting to second base when the Brewers face a lefty.

Arraez went 2-for-3 with a double in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

It's the fifth time in his last six spring games that Arraez has banged out multiple hits. The reigning NL batting champ has a .382 average in camp (13-for-34) with five doubles and a 0:3 BB:K, and Arraez is locked into the leadoff spot for the Marlins after posting a .354/.393/.469 slash line with a career-high 10 homers and 69 RBI in 2023.