MLB Player News

Choi was reassigned to minor league camp Friday, Brendan Kuty of The Star-Ledger reports.

The former Angel signed with the Yankees hoping to catch on with the big-league club out of camp, but he fell short. Choi could work his way into at-bats later this season as a reserve or an emergency starter, though he sits behind Greg Bird, Chris Carter, Tyler Austin and Rob Refsnyder, at minimum, in the first base hierarchy.

Brantley is not in the Indians' Cactus League lineup Friday, Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

No reason for concern was reported, so Cleveland likely is taking it easy with Brantley, who's 3-for-9 through his first three spring games following his debut earlier in the week. Getting him a bit more rest late in spring training and possibly early in the regular season is prudent management as he returns from his shoulder injury. It may limit his value early in 2017, but his potential for returning to MVP-candidate form is increasing his fantasy draft stock.

Vogelbach was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday, Shannon Drayer of MyNorthwest.com reports.

This comes as a bit of a surprise, as Vogelbach and Danny Valencia were expected to split time at first base to open the season. The 24-year-old struggled this spring, however, slashing just .228/.313/.333 with 19 strikeouts in 57 at-bats. He also went just 1-for-12 with six strikeouts in his major league debut last season, so it appears the Mariners believe he could use some work before making the full-time jump.

Cabrera (back) said he won't play until Friday at the earliest, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Cabrera apparently felt a pop in his back during the first WBC game and has been receiving daily treatment ever since, though he also noted that it's feeling better. Friday may seem slightly optimistic for his return, as the Tigers don't have any plans to rush their star back. Detroit isn't worried about his status at this point, but that may change if he doesn't return to action relatively soon.

Vargas is scheduled to start Friday's Grapefruit League game, LaVelle E. Neal III of the Star Tribune reports.

Vargas, Minnesota's likely majority DH, mainly rode the bench during Puerto Rico's deep run to the World Baseball Classic finals, so manager Paul Molitor looks poised to get him as many reps as possible before the start of the season. Byungho Park has scorched opposing pitching during Vargas' WBC absence, but Park isn't on the 40-man roster and may have to clear some hurdles to join it. Vargas nonetheless remains an interesting deep-league power source for fantasy speculators.

Cabrera (back) is back with the Tigers but will be held out of the lineup at least until Friday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Cabrera was removed from Thursday's World Baseball Classic contest and then missed Venezuela's final game Saturday. His back tightness isn't believed to be a concern for the Tigers, but that could change if Cabrera doesn't get back in the spring training lineup this weekend.

Martinez indicated that he's encouraged that he's been able to put weight on his sprained right foot, but fears he may not be ready for Opening Day, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Martinez suffered the injury after making a catch in Saturday's Grapefruit League game, but the Tigers have remained tight-lipped on the severity of the setback. An official timetable for Martinez's return should be available Friday, when he's set to undergo a weight-bearing stress CT scan in Charlotte. If the Tigers determine that Martinez will require a DL stint to begin the season, Steven Moya could be tasked with serving as his primary replacement in right field.

Reed was optioned to Triple-A Fresno on Tuesday, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Though Reed enjoyed an excellent spring, slashing .306/.444./667 with four homers and 11 RBI over 36 at-bats in Grapefruit League play, the Astros didn't have a full-time role available for him with manager A.J. Hinch casting his lot with Yulieski Gurriel and Carlos Beltran at first base and DH, respectively, to begin the season. Despite the prospect hype surrounding him heading into last season, Reed was unable to translate his minor-league success into quality production in the big leagues, so it looks like he'll now have to bide his time in the minors and wait for an injury to open up another opportunity with the Astros.

Canha, who's projected to primarily serve in a right-field platoon with Matt Joyce this season, will start in center field Tuesday against the Mariners, Joe Stiglich of CSN Bay Area reports.

Manager Bob Melvin is trying to determine whether Canha can demonstrate enough competence in center to allow the A's to potentially keep four outfielders and an extra reliever heading into the regular season. The 28-year-old has already been deployed in center field on a couple of occasions this spring but hasn't seen much action come his way yet. He'll get another opportunity Tuesday and has been making up for the lack of chances thus far by taking extra flyballs during pregame workouts. "I've said all along the biggest difference is throws, different angles and longer throws in general," Canha said. "But I think the biggest thing for me is just remember, be an athlete out there, be aggressive."

Brantley (shoulder) started in left field and went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored in his Cactus League season debut Monday.

He left for a pinch-runner in the fifth inning, but Brantley's debut appears to have occurred without setback. The Indians do not have a game Tuesday, but Brantley is expected to be back in the lineup Wednesday against Colorado, according to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.