MLB Player News

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.

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.