MLB Player News

Urias hit a three-run homer during Monday's 6-5 loss for Team Mexico to Team Japan in the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic.

Urias swatted the homer with two runners aboard off an otherwise impressive Roki Sasaki to give Mexico a 3-0 lead in the fourth. The infielder played well in the tournament with a .278/.381/.444 slash with a homer and four RBI. With Mexico now eliminated, he'll head back to Arizona. He's expected to be a regular for the Brewers during the 2023 campaign.

Clement was reassigned to minor-league camp by the Blue Jays on Monday, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.

Clement was signed to a minor-league deal last week, and the former Cleveland and Oakland infielder will provide organizational depth for the Blue Jays; likely at the Triple-A level.

The Mariners reassigned Wong to minor-league camp Monday.

Despite offering multi-position versatility in addition to possessing 39 games' worth of prior MLB experience, Wong never looked to be a serious threat to make the Mariners' Opening Day roster. Wong stole 41 bases in 47 attempts at Triple-A Salt Lake in the Angels organization in 2022, but he otherwise struggled at the dish (.670 OPS over 565 plate appearances) while playing in hitter-friendly parks in the Pacific Coast League. He'll likely head to Triple-A Tacoma to begin his time in the Seattle organization.

Donovan is hitting .325 (13-for-40) with a team-leading four home runs over 14 Grapefruit League games.

Donovan's value to the Cardinals comes as a utility man, but his spring play should serve to get him an everyday role in the lineup to begin the season. He's the projected starter at second base, especially with Tommy Edman needed at shortstop to cover for the injured Paul DeJong (back). Donovan hit well as a rookie last year, slashing .281/.394/.379 with five home runs, 45 RBI, 64 runs scored and two stolen bases over 126 contests. With his versatility, he should remain in the mix for a starting role even if his hitting drops a bit.

Marte went 1-for-4 with a double in Sunday's spring game against Kansas City.

This was Marte's first game since returning from the World Baseball Classic, where he played for Team Dominican Republic. He had a couple of hard-hit balls, including the double and a 105.8 mph lineout to center field, per Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. Marte had been slumping prior to playing in the WBC, so perhaps the hard-hit balls are a sign his swing has come around.

Ibanez (finger) started at second base and went 1-for-4 for Cuba in Sunday's World Baseball Classic loss to the United States.

Ibanez sprained his left ring finger during an exhibition game for Cuba and didn't travel to Japan for the first round. He played with Cuba once the team returned to Miami. He'll now return to Detroit's camp and looks to be ready for the regular season.

Gonzales was reassigned to minor-league camp Sunday, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

Gonzales is one of the Pirates' top prospects and had a strong showing in big-league camp with a 1.004 OPS in 16 contests. He spent most of 2022 at Double-A Altoona and had a .263/.383/.429 slash line, so he should move up to Triple-A Indianapolis this year.

Astros general manager Dana Brown confirmed Sunday that Altuve has a fractured right thumb and will undergo surgery, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Brown told reporters that the surgery will be done in the coming days as surgeons need some of the swelling to subside before the operation can occur, and that there is no timetable for Altuve's return. The former MVP was hit on his thumb by Daniel Bard during the World Baseball Classic, and imaging has revealed the fracture. Altuve will miss at least all of April while recovering, and he isn't likely to return until the middle of May at the earliest.

Dubon is one of the likely fill-in options at second base after manager Dusty Baker said Sunday that starter Jose Altuve (thumb) is likely out "a while," Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The Astros have yet to provide any specifics on the injury, but according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Altuve is dealing with a fractured thumb and is expected to miss 8-to-10 weeks. Dubon appeared in career-high 104 games last season between Houston and San Francisco and had a .214/.252/.313 slash line. He'd be the more defensive-oriented option at the keystone, with David Hensley offering more upside at the plate.

Motter is a candidate to make the Opening Day roster for the Cardinals, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Motter was signed to a minor-league contract in November, and the 33-year-old has impressed in the Grapefruit League with an .810 OPS, three homers and a pair of steals over 17 games. He's also capable of playing in the infield and outfield, so he brings versatility at the end of the St. Louis bench if he does make the roster. Motter will need to be added to the 40-man roster in order to be called up to the Cardinals, but he has at least earned a look from his play in Florida.