MLB Player News
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Addison Barger SS | TOR
Blue Jays' Addison Barger: Sent to Triple-A
The Blue Jays optioned Barger to Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday.
Barger didn't have a realistic chance of making Toronto's Opening Day roster, but he still put on a show while in big-league camp with a .929 OPS in 19 plate appearances. The 24-year-old saw a lot of action in right field this spring, potentially setting him up for a promotion if George Springer goes down with an injury at some point this season.
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Orelvis Martinez 3B | TOR
Blue Jays' Orelvis Martinez: Sent to minor-league camp
The Blue Jays optioned Martinez to Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday.
Martinez was never a likely bet to crack Toronto's Opening Day roster given the club's infield depth, but he certainly didn't help himself during spring training with a .566 OPS in 20 plate appearances. Barring any major changes late in camp, the 22-year-old is set to return to Buffalo to begin 2024, where he posted a .263/.340/.507 slash line in 55 games after being promoted from Double-A last July.
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Aledmys Diaz 1B | HOU
Athletics' Aledmys Diaz: Suffers calf strain
Diaz (groin) suffered a calf strain recently while running the bases, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Diaz has been rehabbing a groin strain and now has a new injury to deal with. He's played just two Cactus League games to this point and can now probably be ruled out for the rest of the spring, with a stint on the injured list to begin the season likely. Once healthy, Diaz is expected to be in the mix primarily at third base and shortstop.
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Ernie Clement SS | TOR
Blue Jays' Ernie Clement: Continues raking in camp
Clement 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays.
The 27-year-old launched a two-run homer off Zach Eflin in the second inning before singling home another run off the Tampa right-hander in the third. Clement came into camp with a decent chance of winning the final spot on the Toronto bench due to the fact that he was out of minor-league options, but he's backed that up with a scorching spring that's seen him hit .400 (10-for-25) through nine games with a triple and two homers. Perhaps more impressively, he hasn't struck out once in 26 plate appearances. The Blue Jays have unsettled situations at both second base and third base, and if Clement carries his hot stick into the regular season, he could push his way into playing time at both spots.
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Wenceel Perez SS | DET
Tigers' Wenceel Perez: Optioned to Triple-A
The Tigers optioned Perez to Triple-A Toledo on Tuesday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Perez had a strong finish to his 2023 season at Toledo and will head back there for some more refinement. The 24-year-old has a shot to debut for the Tigers at some point during the 2024 campaign.
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Eddys Leonard SS | MIL
Tigers' Eddys Leonard: Sent down to minors
The Tigers optioned Leonard to Triple-A Toledo on Tuesday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Leonard entered camp seemingly with a shot to win a bench job and fared well this spring with a .984 OPS, but he'll nonetheless head to Toledo for now. The 23-year-old was acquired from the Dodgers last August.
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Amed Rosario SS | NYY
Rays' Amed Rosario: May see more time in the outfield
Rosario could see more time in the outfield as a result of Jonny DeLuca's (hand) absence, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
DeLuca is projected to miss the first couple weeks of the regular season, while Josh Lowe (hip) is also currently sidelined. Even if Lowe returns, there's a potential for at-bats against left-handed pitchers to be available in right field. As a right-handed hitter, Rosario is arguably a better fit than lefty Richie Palacios.
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Leonardo Jimenez SS | TOR
Blue Jays' Leo Jimenez: Sent to Triple-A
Toronto optioned Jimenez to Triple-A Buffalo on Monday.
Jimenez went 2-for-12 with a 4:0 K:BB over nine games during Grapefruit League play. The 22-year-old struggled after reaching Buffalo for the first time last season, posting a .576 OPS in 18 contests. Jimenez is known for his on-base skills but has demonstrated a glaring lack of power at every stop of the minors.
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Colson Montgomery SS | CHW
White Sox's Colson Montgomery: Sent to minor-league camp
The White Sox reassigned Montgomery to minor-league camp Monday, LaMond Pope of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Montgomery is considered the club's top prospect and could be ready to take over at shortstop for the White Sox sooner rather than later, but for now, he'll receive a bit more development time. The 22-year-old went 2-for-17 with six strikeouts in 11 Cactus League contests.