MLB Player News

Urena was optioned to minor league camp Friday, Mike Wilner of Sportsnet.ca reports.

He was added to the 40-man roster in the offseason but that was for Rule 5 protection -- Urena has logged just 132 plate appearances above the High-A level. A top-five prospect in the Toronto farm system, he recorded eight hits in 28 plate appearances during his time in the Grapefruit League, although seven of the eight hits were singles. A full season at the upper levels of the minor leagues seems likely for the 21-year-old.

Mondesi was a late scratch from Friday's Cactus League lineup with lower back tightness, Rustin Dodd of The Kansas City Star reports.

Humberto Arteaga took his place at second base. Mondesi is having a great spring, batting .433 with two home runs and three RBI over 13 games. Consider him day-to-day until further information becomes available.

Mateo was optioned to High-A Tampa and reassigned to minor league camp Friday, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

The 21-year-old will repeat his highest level in the minors, where he struggled with a .254 batting average and .685 OPS last year despite eight home runs and 36 stolen bases. His attitude has been an issue, and Mateo may need to show more maturity before being trusted at the higher levels. Adding that to his toolsy makeup eventually could produce a fantasy stud. Still, with Gleyber Torres, Clint Frazier and other top prospects bolstering the top of this system, Mateo may wind up elsewhere in the coming years if he can't correct his flaws.

Pennington (shoulder) is back in the Angels' lineup Thursday, The Orange County Register's Jeff Fletcher reports.

Pennington has been held out of action for the past week with a minor shoulder injury. The veteran infielder said he is feeling fine now, and his appearance in Thursday's starting lineup confirms that statement. Assuming he doesn't suffer a setback, Pennington should make the Opening Day roster as a backup infielder.

Adames was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Wednesday.

He was in big league camp, but was not a realistic option to break camp on the 25-man roster, so this does not come as a surprise. Adames is the Rays' top prospect, and has the potential to hit 25-plus homers as a shortstop. He could make his big league debut in the second half.

Mondesi is back in the lineup playing second base on Monday, Josh Vernier of 610 Sports Radio reports.

Mondesi left last Friday's game with what the Royals thought was a concussion, but the 21-year-old passed all the necessary tests and will be back on the field after completing a workout with no issues Sunday. He'll continue to battle it out in a four-way competition for the second-base job.

Rodriguez was reassigned to minor league camp Sunday.

The 32-year-old is hitless in five spring plate appearances, and given his unimpressive showings in the minor leagues over the past few seasons, this move comes as no surprise. Rodriguez likely will spend another season serving as organizational depth.

Mondesi (head) is expected to resume workouts Sunday and could return to game action Monday or Tuesday, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

The young infielder left Friday's game prematurely after a collision at first base, but it seems like he's already on the mend of his recovery from that incident. If all goes well in his workouts Sunday, he should be good to go to compete for the starting second base job.

Lindor went 3-for-5 with two home runs, three RBI and scored three runs in Saturday's World Baseball Classic victory over Mexico.

Lindor -- one of the only quiet members in Puerto Rico's 11-0 win over Venezuela to open the tournament -- unloaded in the first inning, smashing a two-run homer over the billboards in right field at Estadio Charros de Jalisco in Guadalajara, Mexico. The Indians' star added a solo shot in the seventh inning for good measure. In last season's sophomore campaign, Lindor hit 15 home runs and stole 19 bags. On Saturday night, he showed the power that makes him a legitimate 20-20 candidate for 2017.

Manager Ned Yost says Mondesi does not have a concussion, but will take it easy for a few days, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Mondesi was involved in a collision at first base in Friday's Cactus League game, but left the field under his own power. These are likely precautionary measures taken by the Royals to better ensure long-term health for the youngster. Mondesi is having a great spring thus far, batting .450 with a home run and two RBI in nine games. The switch-hitter is in the midst of a four-way battle for the second base job and will likely return to the field soon, barring any setbacks.