MLB Player News

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.

Duffy collected three hits against the Rockies on Sunday, bringing his batting average up to .323 through 31 spring at bats.

Duffy got off to a cold start this spring, but his bat has been heating up as we near Opening Day. He will look to build upon a surprisingly strong rookie campaign (.292/.331/.415) last season. Duffy will be the Giants' everyday third baseman and likely be slotted in either the two or three-hole in front of Buster Posey.

Peterson went 2-for-4 with a strikeout and a run scored in Sunday's loss to the Tigers.

He doubled off the Yankees' Aroldis Chapman in a two-hit effort Saturday -- his first multi-hit game of the spring -- and then singled twice Sunday. Peterson had just five hits in his first 13 spring games (29 at-bats). The expected starter at second base coming into camp, Peterson has been jumping around the diamond lately, seeing time at second base, third, shortstop, center field, and right field just within the past week. It still seems likely that most of his time will come at the keystone, but his versatility in the field gives the Braves some options.

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.

Martinson was reassigned to minor league camp Saturday, Mark Zuckerman of MASN reports.

Martinson fared reasonably well with the Nationals this spring, slashing .304/.448/.391, but the club needed to trim down its roster with Opening Day approaching. He'll head down to minor league camp and figures to take on a utility role at Triple-A Syracuse to start the season.

Arenado is slashing .600/.594/1.000 with two home runs, nine RBI, and five runs in 11 spring games.

The 24-year-old is performing at another level right now. If he can hit anywhere near this torrid pace during the regular season, he could make the Rockies and his fantasy owners ecstatic. He'll slot into the heart of the Colorado lineup, affording him plenty of RBI opportunities throughout the season.

Candelario was optioned to Double-A Tennessee on Friday.

He played in 46 games at the Double-A level last season, matching his home run total from his time with High-A Myrtle Beach (five) in 161 fewer plate appearances.

Asche (oblique) played four innings in the outfield Thursday in a minor league game, CSN Philadelphia reports.

Asche did not bat, but has started doing some light swinging in the batting cage. It is reaching the point where it is going to be very difficult for Asche to be ready for Opening Day. He might miss the first week or two of the regular season in order to get in enough work, but should not be forgotten in deeper drafts. He figures to earn at least a share of the playing time in left field this season with Aaron Altherr sidelined for 4-6 months.