MLB Player News
-
Oliver Dunn 2B | CHW
Brewers' Oliver Dunn: Sent to Triple-A
The Brewers optioned Dunn to Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Dunn showed well this spring with an .876 OPS, one home run and four stolen bases over 14 Cactus League contests. The 26-year-old has yet to appear in the majors but seems to have a good shot to debut at some point during the 2024 season.
-
Andy Ibanez 2B | ATH
Tigers' Andy Ibanez: Impressing in camp
Ibanez has played well this spring and likely has locked up an Opening Day roster spot, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.
Ibanez was a pleasant surprise for the Tigers last season and he's carried that over into camp, as he's now popped four home runs in 15 Grapefruit League contests to go along with a .963 OPS. The utility player doesn't have a regular home on the diamond, but if he keeps swinging a hot bat, he may force his way into the lineup more often.
-
Jorbit Vivas 2B | NYY
Yankees' Jorbit Vivas: Optioned to Triple-A
The Yankees optioned Vivas to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Monday.
Vivas was traded to the Yankees in December after spending last season in the Dodgers' minor-league system between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City. He slashed .269/.381/.407 with 13 home runs and 63 RBI over 609 plate appearances while stealing 25 bases in the minors in 2023. Vivas will start 2024 in Triple-A and could make his major-league debut should the Yankees be in need of an infielder or left-handed bat.
-
Alejo Lopez 2B | ATH
Braves' Alejo Lopez: Falls short of Opening Day roster
Atlanta reassigned Lopez to minor-league camp March 5.
Lopez didn't make much of a push for a spot on the Opening Day roster, as Atlanta had several other players with prior MLB experience competing with him for a utility role. The 27-year-old switch hitter, who appeared in 76 big-league games with the Reds over the past three seasons, is expected to report to Triple-A Gwinnett to begin the 2024 campaign.
-
Joseph Ortiz 2B | MIL
Brewers' Joey Ortiz: Good shot to make big club
Ortiz has a "good shot" to make the Opening Day roster, according to manager Pat Murphy, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Ortiz is known for his excellent infield defense, but he's no slouch at the plate either. He is slashing .261/.393/.522 with one home run and one steal in 28 Cactus League plate appearances. If the Brewers trade Willy Adames during the season, Ortiz would likely take over as the everyday shortstop, but in the meantime, he could be an everyday option at third base while sometimes shifting to second base when the Brewers face a lefty.
-
Enmanuel Valdez 2B | PIT
Red Sox's Enmanuel Valdez: Part of platoon at second base
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Monday that Valdez will be part of a platoon at second base to open the season, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.
While Cora didn't specify which players would platoon at the keystone, he was presumably referring to Valdez as the long side of the platoon and Pablo Reyes as the short side. It will be a short-term arrangement, as Vaughn Grissom (groin) is due back in mid-to-late April and will be in line to take over everyday duties at the position at that time.
-
Max Schuemann 2B | NYY
Athletics' Max Schuemann: Reassigned to minor-league camp
The Athletics reassigned Schuemann to minor-league camp Sunday.
Schuemann was having an impressive spring, slashing .321/.412/.429 with a homer across 34 plate appearances in 15 games. Despite this, the 27-year-old was not expected to make the Opening Day roster due the presence of outfielders JJ Bleday and Miguel Andujar.
-
Luis Arraez 2B | SF
Marlins' Luis Arraez: Racking up hits this spring
Arraez went 2-for-3 with a double in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.
It's the fifth time in his last six spring games that Arraez has banged out multiple hits. The reigning NL batting champ has a .382 average in camp (13-for-34) with five doubles and a 0:3 BB:K, and Arraez is locked into the leadoff spot for the Marlins after posting a .354/.393/.469 slash line with a career-high 10 homers and 69 RBI in 2023.
-
Elvis Andrus 2B | ARI
Diamondbacks' Elvis Andrus: Starts at shortstop
Andrus started at shortstop and went 1-for-3 in Saturday's spring game against the Rangers.
With Geraldo Perdomo (knee) still day-to-day, Andrus was given the starting nod Saturday. Perdomo's been out since Tuesday, but manager Torey Lovullo does not feel the injury will impact his availability for Opening Day. Given that, the Diamondbacks are trying to settle on a backup at shortstop, and the non-rostered Andrus has the most experience at the position. Arizona is also giving the currently rostered Jace Peterson and Emmanuel Rivera innings there, and the club may want prospects Blaze Alexander and Jordan Lawlar to get regular at-bats in the minors. This was Andrus' third Cactus League appearance and second at short -- he's also played third base.
-
Brandon Drury 2B | KC
Angels' Brandon Drury: Returns to lineup Saturday
Drury (illness) went 1-for-1 with a walk in Saturday's Cactus League contest versus the Cubs.
Prior to Saturday, Drury hadn't played in a game since Monday due to an illness. His ability to return to the lineup against Chicago suggests that he's past the issue and won't have any problem being ready for Opening Day. Drury is expected to serve as the Angels' everyday second basemen during the coming campaign.