MLB Player News

Biggio (finger) returned to game action Thursday, but he remains sore, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Biggio took a groundball off his finger Monday, which didn't cause a major injury. However, he disclosed that it caused a blood blister and that he remains sore. The issue doesn't appear likely to cost him game time in the regular season.

Arauz was optioned to Boston's minor-league camp Thursday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Arauz made his big-league debut in 2020, but he faced an uphill battle to start the 2021 campaign with the team after the signings of Enrique Hernandez and Marwin Gonzalez. Given his ability to play both second and third base, Arauz is likely to help fill in if any injuries hit the team's infield during the season.

Castro is still in the mix for an Opening Day roster spot, as the Tigers may carry him and Niko Goodrum as utility players, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

The Tigers optioned Isaac Paredes to the minors Thursday and informed Greg Garcia he won't make the team, and both moves improve Castro's chances of earning a bench role. Conventional wisdom around camp has been that Paredes and Renato Nunez were battling for one role, so it's unclear how Castro fits into the mix after Thursday's cutdown.

Biggio (finger) is starting Thursday's spring game against the Tigers.

Biggio was scratched from Wednesday's lineup with right finger discomfort, but he underwent X-rays that revealed no fracture. As a result, he'll be back in action just one day later, and it's unlikely that the issue will impact his availability for Opening Day.

Altuve is the favorite to be the Astros' leadoff man this season, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Myles Straw and Carlos Correa had been previously mentioned as potential leadoff hitters, but Altuve has been filling the role in recent games and received an endorsement from manager Dusty Baker on Tuesday. Exactly what the 30-year-old has left in the tank is unclear, as his slash line cratered to .219/.286/.344 in in the regular season last year, though he went on to hit .375/.500/.729 in 13 playoff games. He may not run as much as he used to, but it's certainly possible he bounces most of the way back at the plate and returns to being one of the league's premier contact hitters.

Urias has gone 6-for-16 (.375) with a home run, three doubles, three RBI and a 5:2 BB:K over his last seven spring games.

Urias missed time earlier in March with a hamstring injury, but he has been locked in since returning to action. His hit tool earned him a prominent spot on prospect lists in recent years, so his recent stretch should not come as a major surprise. Urias is set to play a key role for the Brewers on the left side of the infield this year.

Ibanez could make the Rangers' roster as a right-handed designated hitter, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Ibanez entered the DH mix after the Rangers announced Khris Davis (quadriceps) will miss a minimum of three weeks. That's on top of Willie Calhoun (groin), who has been ruled out to start the season. Davis was expected to serve as the primary designated hitter and a right-handed balance to a lefty-dominant order. That means Ibanez could claim a roster spot, but he would need to be added to the 40-man roster. That might be a roster complication for the Rangers, so they could opt to wait until Davis is ready to return, getting by in the interim with lefties like Ronald Guzman or Nate Lowe, with the additional possibility of keeping righty Eli White on the major-league roster.

Marte went 1-for-1 with a solo home run and two walks in Wednesday's spring game against Cleveland.

Marte went deep for the third time this spring, leading off the bottom half of the first inning -- the sixth time in 13 games that he's batted leadoff. He's also made six starts as the second batter in the order. Marte appears poised to return to his 2019 form, having gone 12-for-34 with five doubles, three home runs, six RBI, five walks and 11 runs scored this spring. Additionally, per David Adler of MLB.com, Marte's tied with Giancarlo Stanton for the spring lead with five balls having left his bat at 110 mph or higher.

Rengifo was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old appeared to be a safe bet to make the Opening Day roster with Franklin Barreto (elbow) recently sidelined 4-to-6 weeks, but Rengifo will end up opening the season in the minors. He was competing for a super-utility role in spring training and had a .250/.389/.393 slash line in 28 at-bats, but it wasn't enough to earn a roster spot. Rengifo missed the cut for Opening Day, but he should join the Angels at some point this season.

Mayfield was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday.

The 30-year-old was acquired from the Braves for cash considerations in February but was unable to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster. Mayfield will likely fill a utility role if he receive a big-league chance this season.