MLB Player News

Candelario was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Thursday, Patrick Mooney of CSN Chicago reports.

Candelario saw his major league debut last season with the Cubs, but he was only able to collect one hit in 11 at-bats during his short-lived stint. He tried to force his way back to the majors this spring, but his .235/.278/.373 slash line across 51 at-bats wasn't quite enough to earn him a spot in the Cubs' overcrowded infield.

Suarez has gone 10-for-35 with two doubles, two home runs, seven RBI, two walks and nine strikeouts through 14 spring games.

The numbers for Suarez in Cactus League play are strong, but he hasn't been quite as dialed in of late, going just 2-for-12 with five strikeouts in his last five games. Suarez endured some rough stretches last season, most notably in May and September, but his final numbers were good enough to put him near the top 20 at third base in terms of 5x5 fantasy production. He will once again enter the season as the Reds' primary third baseman.

Rivera was optioned to minor-league camp Wednesday, MLB.com's Adam McCalvy reports.

Rivera opened 2016 with the Brewers as a utility infielder, but that job has since been claimed by Hernan Perez, so the team decided to send Rivera to the minors in order to get regular at-bats. Rivera figures to be the primary shortstop for Triple-A Colorado Springs.

Reynolds was optioned to the Mets' minor-league camp Tuesday, Marc Carig of Newsday reports.

Reynolds was looking to win a utility role with the Mets coming out of spring training, but it appears T.J. Rivera and WIlmer Flores are the leading frontrunners to claim the open bench gigs. The 26-year-old Reynolds is expected to report to Triple-A Las Vegas, where he slashed .264/.336/.357 in 299 plate appearances a season ago.

Rivera is 9-for-33 (.273) with a home run, four RBI, and two stolen bases through 19 games this spring.

Rivera's at-bats this spring have been limited with the Brewers trying to get Orlando Arcia as many plate appearances as possible, but the team is not counting on Rivera's bat. He still has a shot to break camp with the big club for the second year in a row in a utility role.

Anderson went 2-for-3 with a triple, a run scored and three RBI in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Braves.

He's now slashing .389/.421/.694 through 36 at-bats this spring, and eight of Anderson's 14 hits have gone for extra bases. Despite his impressive performance at the plate and Martin Prado's hamstring injury, however, the Marlins have given no indication that Anderson has a chance to play a role at third base for them to begin the season. The 23-year-old will likely return to Double-A Jacksonville in 2017 with instructions to hone his defense as well as continue the development he showed at the plate last year.

Asuaje was optioned to Triple-A El Paso on Monday.

Asuaje faced an uphill battle in camp thanks to the presence of veteran Erick Aybar and Rule 5 pick Allen Cordoba in San Diego's middle infield. The 25-year-old, originally an 11th-round draft pick by Boston in 2013, hit a sharp .321/.378/.473 in 134 games for El Paso in 2016 and could very well be the Padres' first option should they suffer an injury in the middle infield.

Vargas was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Friday.

Vargas moved up all the way from High-A to Triple-A in 2016, thanks to his ludicrously consistent ability to make contact. He struck out just 37 times across 575 combined plate appearances at Double-A and Triple-A last season, and if he can come anywhere near replicating the .354/.418/.449 line he posted in 49 games for Reno last season, he'll find his way to Arizona quickly. For now, though, the Diamondbacks will stick with their stable of veteran middle infielders.

Arenado went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run in Team USA's victory over Team Canada on Sunday.

The longball was Arenado's first hit of the tournament, but it was a big one, sparking the Americans to win and advance to the second round of the World Baseball Classic. The US will face Puerto Rico, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic during the next segment of the WBC, allowing the star third baseman a few more opportunities to showcase his talents on the global stage.

Sosa was optioned to High-A Palm Beach on Monday, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

Sosa was another Cardinals prospect that needed to be added to the 40-man roster for Rule 5 protection, although he won't be an option for the big league team anytime soon. He'll start the season in High-A, where he slashed .294/.314/.412 in 34 at-bats to end 2016.