MLB Player News

Gonzales went 5-for-11 with a pair of doubles, a steal and a 1:2 BB:K during the Pirates' spring-training slate.

Fresh off dominating performances in High-A (.303/.385/.565) and the Arizona Fall League (.380/.483/.549), Gonzales just keeps hitting everywhere he goes. His next test will come in Double-A, where he'll open the 2022 campaign, and if his spring performance is any indicator, he won't be intimidated by the increased level of competition. If the Pirates were more competitive, Gonzales would have a shot at coming up this year -- and if Diego Castillo doesn't work out, he still might -- but it's more likely that he'll be in position to push for an Opening Day roster spot next season.

Turang went 1-for-2 with a triple, a run, an RBI and two walks in Tuesday's season opener with Triple-A Nashville.

Turang is one of the more-heralded prospects in the Brewers' system, and his 2022 campaign got off to a good start. He posted just a .696 OPS in his first go-around at the Triple-A level last season, but that did include a quality .381 OBP. The Brewers are not particularly deep on the infield, so Turang has a chance to make his big-league debut sometime this season.

Andrus, who underwent a pair of surgeries for a fractured fibula this offseason, finished Cactus League play with a .281 average (9-for-32), two doubles, a triple, a home run and four RBI.

The veteran shortstop was able to get a good tune-up in for the regular season and build confidence in his surgically repaired leg in the process. Andrus is particularly trending in the right direction at the plate as Opening Day approaches, as he finished Cactus League play with a four-game hitting streak after a slow start.

Stott will break camp on the big-league roster, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Stott was competing for time at shortstop this spring but also emerged as a potential option at third base. After posting a 1.261 OPS with more walks than strikeouts in Grapefruit League action, the Phillies seemingly had no choice but to call him up. His expected role isn't totally clear, as third baseman Alec Bohm has also made the team, leaving the Phillies with seemingly one too many infielders. He and Bohm could potentially platoon at third, with the left-handed Stott seeing the majority of the starts in that setup, though he could also start in either middle infield spot to give veterans Didi Gregorius and Jean Segura the occasional day off.

Stott owns a ridiculous .480/.581/.680 line with a homer, two doubles and 6:4 BB:K this spring.

He's been in competition for a roster spot out of camp and potentially a starting job. Stott's numbers this spring jump off the page. This comes after a big-time 2021 in which Stott rocketed from High-A to Triple-A and posted a .299/.390/.486 line across 112 games. If there's a note of caution here for fantasy managers, it's that Stott doesn't have big-time power or speed, so his value will largely hinge on his ability to deliver batting average, RBI and runs.

Acuna is expected to open 2022 at High-A Hickory, according to Baseball America.

He got off to a terrible start last season, so his final batting line (.266/.345/.404) at Low-A doesn't jump off the page. That said, Acuna was only 19, and he ended up hitting 12 homers and swiping 44 bases, with his 10.4 percent walk rate offering some promise as well. He'll likely never develop the power that his brother, Ronald, has shown off in the majors, but Luisangel is flashing plenty of promise in his own right. It's not unreasonable to think that a big 2022 could get him on the radar for a promotion sometime in 2023.

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.