MLB Player News

The Rangers optioned Ornelas to Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

Ornelas, 23, appeared in eight games for Texas during the 2023 season, but he wasn't a serious candidate to make the Opening Day roster. The infielder should get the chance to play on a near-everyday basis at Round Rock to begin the campaign.

Arias was scratched from Sunday's Cactus League lineup versus the Reds due to an illness, Mandy Bell of MLB.comreports.

Arias is feeling under the weather and won't play as scheduled Sunday, but he should be back in action soon. The 24-year-old had a .627 OPS in 122 games last season and could being 2024 as Cleveland's primary shortstop, though he's not likely to have much security in that role.

Story (neck) will start at shortstop and bat third in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

He'll be manning shortstop for the second time in as many days after playing four innings while going 1-for-2 with a walk and a run scored in his return to the lineup for Saturday's 4-0 win over the Rays. Story had missed the previous two days of action with neck tightness, but his ability to get back in the lineup quickly on consecutive days suggests his health is no longer a concern.

Allen (back) saw a specialist in Arizona on Friday and remains without a firm timetable for a return to game action, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The young shortstop last saw Cactus League action March 1 due to what has been described as a mild back strain. However, the issue has lingered enough for Allen to have to seek out a medical consultation. Allen received some treatment Friday, and the Athletics remain hopeful he'll be able to resume baseball activities Monday with a return to game action shortly thereafter.

The Reds placed Barrero on waivers Saturday, and the utility player was claimed by the Rangers on the same day.

Barrero split his time last season between Triple-A Louisville and the Reds and slashed .218/.295/.323 with two home runs and 17 RBI over 149 plate appearances in the majors. He made the move to the outfield this spring after spending most of his career at shortstop, though he did play center field in 17 games for Cincinnati last season. Barrero will now look to compete for an Opening Day roster spot in Texas for 2024.

Crawford, who drew two walks and scored a run in his two plate appearances during Thursday's Cactus League win over the Angels, is now 0-for-9 over his first six exhibitions.

The veteran has drawn three walks, but that's been the extent of his offensive production. Crawford's early struggles aside, he's once again being counted on to hold down the fort on a near everyday basis at shortstop after slugging a career-high 19 home runs and driving in a career-best 65 RBI a season ago. The power surge helped Crawford produce a career-high .818 OPS as well, although there will be some doubt as to his ability to replicate those numbers after previously having failed to top nine homers in any season.

Seager (groin) fielded some grounders and played catch Thursday, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

Seager has resumed some baseball activities but has not yet been cleared to swing a bat as he works his way back from sports hernia surgery. He is hoping to play in some Cactus League games before the spring schedule runs out, but it's uncertain as to when that might happen. It seems more likely that not that Seager will need some time on the injured list to start the season, but he shouldn't be out long.

Barger has played a lot of right field so far in camp, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

The 24-year-old played four different positions last season in the minors, including 20 games each at third base and shortstop, but the Blue Jays seem to view right field as Barger's best defensive fit. He won't break camp on the big-league roster, but should George Springer go down with an injury and Barger is swinging the bat well at Triple-A Buffalo, it could position him to make his MLB debut over the summer.

Clement has emerged as a favorite to win a utility job on the Blue Jays' bench, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

The 27-year-old infielder has a modest .578 OPS through 364 career big-league plate appearances, but he's out of minor-league options and has gone 5-for-13 (.385) with a triple and a stolen base through five Grapefruit League games. Clement's main competition appears to be Santiago Espinal and veteran non-roster invitee Eduardo Escobar, but the former can be optioned to Triple-A and the latter is flailing at the plate, going 0-for-15 with eight strikeouts this spring.

Story was scratched from the lineup for Thursday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta due to neck stiffness, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

The Red Sox have described Story's removal as precautionary, so he'll be day-to-day and should have a good chance at returning to action at some point within the next week. David Hamilton will replace Story at shortstop Thursday, batting ninth.