MLB Player News

Norby went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Monday's split-squad game against the Nationals.

The third baseman took Shinnosuke Ogasawara deep in the first inning, giving Norby his first homer of the spring. The 24-year-old slashed .247/.315/.445 with seven homers and 17 RBI in 36 games last season for the Marlins after being acquired from the O's, and while his minor-league track record suggests he can improve on those numbers once he gets comfortable in the Show, his 32.1 percent strikeout rate with Miami needs work. Norby's gone 8-for-28 (.286) through nine appearances this spring, but that comes with a 1:7 BB:K.

Ortiz went 2-for-3 with a double, a triple and three RBI in Monday's Cactus League game against the Mariners.

Ortiz went just 1-for-10 in the four spring games he appeared in last month, but he has gotten hot since the calendar flipped to March, going 7-for-13 (.538) with four extra-base hits and three steals. The Brewers have not yet decided whether Ortiz or Brice Turang will be the primary shortstop, but expect Ortiz to see regular action one way or another.

Lowe went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Monday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta.

The wind aided Lowe, but he managed to take Chris Sale yard in the third inning. The performance was notable because it was a homer off of one of the best left-handed pitchers in the league and because it was his second consecutive game with a long ball. Even on a platoon-heavy team, Lowe projects to be the Rays' everyday second baseman while occupying a premium spot in the lineup.

Gelof has been working on a new batting stance this spring, which appears to be paying off as he's hitting .304 (7-for-23) with a home run, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports. "You're always working," Gelof said. "There was definitely a change that needed to be addressed. I'm just doing the best of my ability to address it and be a better player because of it."

After breaking out to the tune of 14 homers and 14 steals in just 69 games as a rookie, Gelof took a step back last season with a 34.4 percent strikeout rate and just a .632 OPS. Despite his success this spring, he has a concerning 12 strikeouts. His 25 stolen bases were helpful for fantasy teams last year but came with a .211 batting average. Gelof is locked in as the starting second baseman to begin the season.

Schuemann appears likely to win a roster spot in a utility role with the A's, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports. He's hitting .227 (5-for-22) in nine games this spring.

Schuemann made his big-league debut in 2024 with the A's and posted a .220/.311/.308 slash line with seven home runs and 14 steals in 133 games. He saw most of his playing time at shortstop, but Jacob Wilson appears set as the starting shortstop. Schuemann could be good source of speed (14 steals last season) if he finds significant playing time.

Julien appears to likely to win a spot on the major league roster even with Brooks Lee having a strong spring, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports. Julien is hitting .273 (6-for-22) with a home run and three walks in eight games this spring.

Julien is competing with Lee for the starting second base job with Willi Castro also likely to get time at the position. Julien could also get time at first base as well. Julien has struggled in the field this spring (two errors at 2B, one at 1B), however. At this point it's still not clear what the Twins plan to do at second base, but Julien remains in the mix to win a roster spot and could still find playing time against right-handed pitching.

Rengifo (hamstring) participated in on-field drills Monday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

The extensiveness of the workout isn't clear, nor is Rengifo's effort level while going through drills, but that he worked out at all seems like a good sign after Angels manager Ron Washington said Sunday that the club would "back off" the switch hitter as he deals with a hamstring problem. The Angels have not yet ruled Rengifo out for Opening Day, but he has played just one game so far this spring.

The Diamondbacks optioned Tawa to Triple-A Reno on Monday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Tawa was added to the 40-man roster over the winter after slugging 31 home runs between Double-A Amarillo and Reno in 2024 and he will head back to Reno to begin the 2025 campaign. The 25-year-old can play all over the diamond, and his versatility should give him a chance to make his debut later this season.

The Reds optioned Callihan to Triple-A Louisville on Monday.

Callihan was added to the 40-man roster in November, but given that he has only four games of experience above the Double-A level in addition to the fact that Cincinnati is well stocked in the infield, he never looked like a serious threat to break camp with the big club. The 24-year-old will likely spend the majority of the season at Louisville after slashing .271/.345/.413 with eight home runs and 21 steals over his 282 plate appearances at Double-A Chattanooga in 2024.

Lopez is expected to be granted his release after the Cubs informed him Sunday that he won't be part of the team's 31-man travel roster for its season-opening series in Japan versus the Dodgers on March 18 and 19, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Lopez signed a minor-league deal with the Cubs on Feb. 2 and had been competing for a utility infielder job with the big club during spring training. Even though second baseman Nico Hoerner (forearm) won't be available for the two-game series in Tokyo, Lopez wasn't able to beat out Rule 5 pick Gage Workman or Vidal Brujan for a bench role. Lopez shouldn't have much trouble catching on with another organization on a minor-league deal.