MLB Player News

Solarte was back in the Padres lineup Monday, going 1-for-3 in a win over the Rangers.

The 29-year-old was participating in the World Baseball Classic for Team Venezuela. Manager Andy Green expressed concerns that his infielder wasn't receiving enough playing time in the tournament (3-for-6 in five games), so it would make sense for Solarte to see regular at-bats in the final couple weeks of spring training to get back up to speed with his teammates. The switch-hitting infielder had a career year last season, hitting .286 with 15 home runs and 71 RBI in 443 plate appearances. Assuming good health, he should easily surpass 500 plate appearances as an everyday player and gain second base eligibility (if he didn't already possess it), making him a potentially undervalued asset.

Manager Brian Snitker confirmed that Albies is not seriously injured after fouling a ball off his knee during Tuesday's spring game, David O'Brien of AJC.com reports.

Snitker also said he believes Albies could be ready to play after the team's off day on Wednesday, so it doesn't appear to be more than just a knock. The 20-year-old will begin the season at Triple-A Gwinnett, but he has a good chance to crack the big leagues with his talent and advanced feel for hitting.

Albies exited Tuesday's spring game after apparently fouling a ball off his knee, David O'Brien of AJC.com reports.

Albies tried to shake it off and continue his at-bat, but he had to exit after seeing a couple pitches. There is no word on his condition yet, so consider him day-to-day until the Braves update his status.

Diaz is 6-for-11 (.545) with a home run, three doubles and four RBI in six spring games with the Brewers.

Diaz reached the Low-A level last year for the first time and will likely open this season with High-A Carolina, but that did not prevent the Brewers from letting him show what he can do with the big club this spring, and he's responded in impressive fashion. The Brewers can be patient with him thanks to the middle-infield depth at the top levels of their system, but he could push his way up the ranks quicker than expected if he keeps hitting like he has this spring and like he did in 2016, when he posted an .827 OPS over 135 games with Wisconsin.

Arroyo was optioned to the minors Sunday, CSN Bay Area reports.

Arroyo left major league camp with a bang, smacking a two-run home run in a loss to the Brewers. The Giants want to give their top hitting prospect regular plate appearances in the minors, as opposed to seeing sporadic time as a bench bat behind Eduardo Nunez, so this move was to be expected. The 21-year-old has progressed well since being drafted out of high school back in 2013. Arroyo may still be a year or two away from a regular role, but he projects to be San Francisco's third baseman of the future.

Albies got the start at second base and hit leadoff in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros, going 1-for-2 with a walk and his first stolen base of the spring.

His late start to the exhibition schedule while he recovered from last season's broken elbow hasn't phased him at all, as Albies is hitting .364 with a .533 OBP in 11 at-bats, walking three times without striking out, and Friday's hit came off 2015 AL Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel. Albies just turned 20 in January and will begin the season with Triple-A Gwinnett, but given his talent and advanced feel for hitting, don't expect him to end it there.

Bostick was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, Stephen Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The 23-year-old was acquired from the Phillies last year after he was designated for assignment. He's hitting well in spring, slashing .304/.467/.478 in 23 at-bats so far, but the Pirates are too deep at second base for Bostick to threaten the lineup, so he'll likely spend the year at Triple-A.

Young was reassigned to minor league camp Friday, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Young has continued to impress with his bat this spring, slashing .364/.391/.500 in 30 at-bats so far, but with the likes of Addison Russell and Javier Baez blocking him at the major league level, it seems he'll likely spend the year at Triple-A Iowa.

Herrera (shoulder) will be sent to the Reds' minor league camp, C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The move signals that the second baseman is still unable to throw and will continue to be limited to a DH role moving forward. Pitchers begin seeing at-bats this coming weekend, so he would likely see more playing opportunities at a lower level. Despite the early setback, look for Herrera to be in the running for major league action at some point later this season.

Manager Dave Roberts said that Hernandez's participation in the World Baseball Classic will not affect his chances to make the Dodgers Opening Day roster, MLB.com's Ken Gurnick reports.

Hernandez left Dodgers camp last week to join Team Puerto Rico in the 2017 WBC. His time away may actually help his case to make the roster after he went 3-for-4 with a run scored and two RBI in Sunday's win over Team Italy. Hernandez is currently competing for one of the Dodgers final utility spots. His ability to play both the infield and the outfield makes him a favorite to make the club.