MLB Player News

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.

Vargas has hit gone 4-for-11 with a double, a homer and a 4:2 BB:K across eight spring games, giving him a .364/.563/.727 batting line.

Obviously, all small-sample-size caveats apply, but Vargas has showed off both his incredible bat control and his impressive power -- and that spring homer came off Cy Young winner Shane Bieber. Nearly as importantly, the word has been that his fielding at third, previously a weakness, has improved significantly. He's blocked there by Justin Turner for now, but Turner has been injury-prone and the Dodgers will only be able to keep Vargas down for so long if he keeps hitting this way in Triple-A, where he'll probably open the season.

Arraez was scratched from the lineup for Monday's game against Boston due to allergies, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Arraez was due to play first base, a position he's gotten a bit of experience at this spring in an effort to further expand his defensive versatility. His absence Monday is unlikely to significantly impact his readiness for the upcoming season.

The Reds list Drury (knee) as an available bench option for Monday's Cactus League game against the Royals, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Drury's inclusion on the lineup card suggests that his removal from Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks upon being hit in the knee by a pitch may just have been precautionary. With several Reds infielders banged up heading into Opening Day, Drury appears to have a good chance of breaking camp with Cincinnati as a utility infielder.

Albies (general soreness) will start at second base and bat leadoff in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Albies was scratched ahead of Sunday's game against the Red Sox with general soreness, but the 25-year-old is apparently feeling well enough a day later to give it a go. Manager Brian Snitker has given all of Albies, Dansby Swanson and Eddie Rosario looks out of the leadoff role this spring, but it's unclear which of the three is on track to head into the regular season as Atlanta's table setter.

Drury was removed from Sunday's Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks in the top of the fifth inning after being hit by a pitch on his knee, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Drury has been competing for the Reds' last offensive roster spot, but he was removed from Sunday's matchup immediately after being hit by a pitch. The nature and extent of the injury aren't yet clear. Prior to his departure, he went 2-for-2 with a double, a run and an RBI.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch confirmed Sunday that Castro has secured a spot on the Opening Day roster, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Castro is expected to see most of his work this season as a backup infielder, though his experience at all three outfield spots gives him an added layer of versatility. When given regular playing time, Castro has shown the ability to hit for contact at a high rate (.291 lifetime average, 22.2 percent strikeout rate), but a lack of power and speed limits his fantasy intrigue.

Manager Torey Lovullo said Sunday that Rojas will be out for "weeks, not days" after being diagnosed with a Grade 2 right oblique strain, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Rojas was set to start on the left side of Arizona's infield, but he'll now be sidelined for Opening Day with the oblique strain. The 31-year-old could be sidelined for at least the first month of the campaign, though he doesn't yet have an official timeline for his return. Sergio Alcantara and Drew Ellis could see more playing time as a result of the injury.