MLB Player News

India started at second base and went 0-for-3 in Thursday's spring game against Seattle.

India was back at second base but has been deployed at several positions during Cactus League action. The plan to convert him to a utility player is still active, but a shoulder injury suffered by Matt McLain could change India's role. McLain, who was set to be the primary second baseman this season, is getting a second opinion and possibly facing surgery. Should that happen, India could become the Reds' everyday second baseman, the same role he filled in 2023.

Gonzales was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Gonzales entered camp with a chance to claim the starting job at second base, though he always appeared to be on the outside looking in. Positively, he struck out only 16.7 percent of the time across 36 plate appearances in Grapefruit League action. Gonzales should make his way back to Pittsburgh at some point in 2024, but for now, Liover Peguero and Jared Triolo are the top candidates to get plate appearances at the keystone.

Gonzalez was optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Thursday.

Gonzalez was claimed off waivers by the Red Sox this offseason and was competing for a utility role this spring. However, he struck out 27.8 percent of the time with only a .670 OPS across 36 plate appearances and will now be set to begin the regular season in the minors.

Bae (hip) will begin a running progression next week, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Bae has been doing all other baseball activities, but the running progression will be key as he comes back from a left hip flexor injury. A stint on the injured list would appear assured for the 24-year-old, with a clearer timetable available once he ramps up his running.

The Rockies reassigned Montes to minor-league camp Thursday.

Montes lost his spot on Colorado's 40-man roster toward the end of last season and was looking to re-earn a place on the team during spring training. However, he will come up short after going 7-for-26 with four RBI in the Cactus League. Montes will presumably begin the season at Triple-A Albuquerque, where he slashed .317/.400/.550 in 2023.

Westburg (elbow) will start at third base and bat cleanup in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Westburg was removed from Tuesday's spring game against the Blue Jays after he was struck on the left elbow by a pitch, but he avoided any structural damage and needed just one day off for the pain and soreness to subside. The 25-year-old is expected to begin the season as the Orioles' primary third baseman, though an early slump could result in him losing work to utility players Ramon Urias and Jorge Mateo.

Rengifo (hamstring) will go through some baseball activities Thursday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Rengifo aggravated his left hamstring injury during Tuesday's game but is feeling much better than when he first was hurt in late February. His readiness for Opening Day remains in question, but the Angels aren't ruling it out. Rengifo is in line for a super utility role this season.

The Cubs reassigned Bote to minor-league camp Thursday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Bote slugged five home runs during Cactus League play, but he came into camp with little chance at a roster spot. The 30-year-old spent all of the 2023 season at Triple-A Iowa and will head back there to start 2024. Bote is in the final season of a five-year, $15 million extension he signed with the Cubs in April 2019, but he hasn't seen any big-league action since 2022 after being moved off the 40-man roster.

India started in left field and went 2-for-4 with a run scored in Wednesday's spring game against Texas.

India, who was Cincinnati's primary starter at second base last season, continues to move around the diamond as planned. He could return to second base at some point, because the Reds announced Monday that their planned starter at the position, Matt McLain, will open the season on the injured list due to a shoulder injury. McLain plans to get a second opinion, and there's uncertainty as to how long he'll be unavailable. For now, it looks like manager David Bell will continue giving India work all over the field, but that could change depending on McLain's prognosis. Since the club announced the injury, Spencer Steer started at second in three consecutive spring games, and the Reds acquired Santiago Espinal from the Blue Jays.

The Blue Jays traded Espinal to the Reds on Wednesday in exchange for Chris McElvain.

With Matt McLain (shoulder) set to miss the opening portion of the season and Noelvi Marte suspended 80 games, the Reds will bring in Espinal to give their infield a bit more depth heading into Opening Day. Espinal slashed .248/.310/.335 across 254 plate appearances last season with the Blue Jays, and he will likely serve as the main backup to Jonathan India at second base in Cincinnati. His versatility may net him a few starts across the infield.