MLB Player News

Urshela was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Saturday, Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com reports.

This move doesn't come as a major surprise after the Indians inked Juan Uribe to take over at third base during the offseason. Still, Urshela has the tools to be the Indians' third baseman of the future, although he may have a hard time cracking the 25-man roster anytime soon unless Uribe or Lonnie Chisenhall gets injured.

Alvarez will start at third base in his remaining spring training games, MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli reports.

He is hitting .190 with a home run and two doubles in 21 at-bats this spring, and the Orioles will try to get a look at what Alvarez has to offer defensively at the hot corner in their remaining exhibitions. While J.J. Hardy is having a great spring (.333/.371/.515), he posted a career-low .564 OPS last season and appears to be on a downward trajectory at the plate. If Hardy doesn't bounce back on offense, the O's could look to give Manny Machado some starts at shortstop with Alvarez manning third base, which gives him an outside shot to add that eligibility this season.

Donaldson went 3-for-4 with one RBI and two runs scored in Tuesday's win over the Tigers.

All three hits were singles, meaning Donaldson is still without an extra-base hit this spring. Of course, the usual caveats regarding spring training numbers apply here, and even more so with the reigning American League MVP. It looks like Donaldson is slated to primarily bat second in the order behind Kevin Pillar.

Chapman hit his 4th homer of the spring Monday, a 2-run shot off Jeff Samardzija.

Chapman has earned a lot of praise in A's camp this spring, both offensively and defensively, and now has an OPS of .981 through 30 at-bats. While other young players have been optioned to minor league camp, Chapman has stayed with the big league team and continues to earn his at-bats. He will likely start the year in Double-A, but his strong spring has definitely caught the attention of the A's and could lead to him being on a fast track to Oakland.

The A's optioned Muncy to Triple-A Nashville Monday.

Muncy hit just .200 (5-for-25) this spring, but even had he hit the ball well, he would have had a hard time making the Opening Day roster given the options the A's possess at first base. Muncy figures to see ample time at the position for Nashville, however.

Longoria (shin) went 2-for-3 with a homer and two runs scored in Sunday's 8-8 spring tie with the Orioles.

The veteran launched a two-out third-inning shot to left field, following teammate Logan Morrison's two-run homer. It was the veteran third baseman's first long ball of the spring, as well as his first multi-hit game. Longoria is now hitting .269 over 26 spring at-bats.

Machado went 3-for-4 with a double, a run scored, and four RBI from the No. 3 spot in the order in Friday's win over the Yankees. Afterward, manager Buck Showalter reiterated his stance that Machado could hit anywhere in the order and succeed, the Baltimore Sun reports. "I think he produced a lot of runs leading off last year by scoring runs and setting up others," Showalter said. "I've said it many times, Manny is capable of hitting in about five [different] spots in the order. Really, all nine if you really want to make it simple, but a lot of it depends on what serves the club. It's good to have those options."

More than 500 of Machado's 633 at-bats last season came between the top two spots in the lineup, and he's been in those same spots throughout most of spring training. There are those out there that believe Machado's a better fit lower in the order, and Friday's performance showed why it might make sense to move him down, but Showalter's spring lineups have mostly had Adam Jones, Chris Davis, and Mark Trumbo in the heart of the order.

Valencia hit his third homer of the spring Thursday, a two-run shot off James Paxton.

Valenica enter the season as the clear cut starting third baseman for the A's after posting an .886 OPS for the A's in 183 at-bats in 2015. Valencia has been hitting in the middle of the order for the A's in the spring games that he has appeared, likely a good sign that he will find himself there to start the season.

Manager Kevin Cash said that Longoria (shin) was sore but was walking around fine and could be the designated hitter Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Considering it's spring training, it wouldn't be surprising for a veteran like Longoria to take a day off to rest his ailment, but the injury appears to be minor enough that even a day at designated hitter wouldn't be problematic. His status for Friday's game should become clearer as game time approaches.

Longoria left Thursday's exhibition game with a shin contusion, Steve Carney of 620 WDAE reports.

Longoria was replaced by Richie Shaffer at third base after fouling a pitch off his lower leg in his first at-bat Thursday. He figures to receive treatment the rest of the day and the Rays could hold him out of Friday's game against Boston if he is still experiencing soreness before the game.