MLB Player News

Chang clinched a spot on Boston's Opening Day roster Monday, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

While Boston could look outside the organization to fill out its bench ranks prior to Thursday's season opener versus Orioles, at least for the time being, Chang's spot is secure after the Red Sox optioned Bobby Dalbec -- his primary competition for a utility-infield role -- to Triple-A Worcester on Monday. The righty-hitting Chang could be a candidate to make frequent starts against left-handed pitching; on those occasions, he and Justin Turner would likely fill out the first base and designated hitter spots while the lefty-hitting Triston Casas sits out.

Franco (quadriceps) posted a video on his personal Instagram account featuring him swinging off a tee in the batting cage Monday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Franco's ability to take swings while he manages what he's described as right quad tightness is another sign that the 22-year-old is trending toward being available for Thursday's season opener versus the Tigers. Before locking Franco into weekly fantasy lineups, however, managers will want to confirm that he is in fact in the starting nine when Tampa Bay releases its lineup a few hours before Thursday's 3:10 p.m. ET first pitch.

The Mariners reassigned McCoy to minor-league camp Monday.

The soon-to-be 28-year-old McCoy has yet to make his MLB debut and doesn't possess a spot on the Mariners' 40-man roster, but he came close to winning a reserve role on Seattle's Opening Day squad on the back of his strong defense at three infield spots. McCoy produced a meager .571 OPS, however, in his 44 at-bats in Cactus League play, and his deficiencies with the bat may prevent him from getting an extended look as a regular if he surfaces in the majors at some point later in 2023.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Monday that Volpe will "probably" bat ninth in Thursday's season opener versus the Giants, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Even though Volpe pushed his way on to the Opening Day roster following a huge spring, it's no surprise that he'll begin his MLB career at the bottom of the batting order. He will have the potential to work his way up, of course, possibly even seeing time in the leadoff spot on days DJ LeMahieu is sitting. While the No. 9 assignment hurts Volpe's outlook from a run-scoring and run-producing perspective, he still has upside to be a fantasy difference-maker from the bottom of the lineup.

Franco said Monday that his sore right quadricep has responded well to treatment, and he expects to be ready for to go for the Rays' season opener Thursday versus the Tigers, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. "I feel good, thank God, and I'm ready to start on Thursday," Franco said.

Elaborating further on the nature of his injury, Franco added that he believes his quad issue is more along the lines of tightness than a strain, and after a few more days of treatment, he should be ready to handle an everyday role at shortstop. The 22-year-old won't be available for Monday's Grapefruit League finale versus the Yankees and will finish the spring season with a .300/.417/.700 slash line to go with two home runs and a stolen base in nine games.

Manager Kevin Cash said Franco's MRI results on his sore right quadriceps were "favorable," and the shortstop could be ready to play in the season opener against Detroit on Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The 22-year-old won't play in Tampa Bay's final exhibition game Monday and will prioritize rest and treatment over the next few days. Even if Franco isn't cleared for Opening Day on Thursday, at this point it doesn't appear he'll require a trip to the injured list to begin the campaign.

Volpe was informed by the Yankees on Sunday that he made the Opening Day roster, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The 21-year-old top prospect entered spring training as a likely longshot to break camp with the big-league club given he has yet to make his MLB debut, but his .314/.417/.647 slash line in 17 spring games was apparently enough to sway the organization. With a roster spot now secure, Volpe is poised to open the season as New York's primary shortstop.

Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said Sunday that Diaz will likely start at shortstop against right-handed pitching to begin the season, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Meanwhile, Nick Allen is expected to enter the lineup at shortstop versus southpaws, though Diaz's right-handedness and defensive versatility should be enough for him to see his fair share of playing time against lefties as well. Signed to a two-year, $14.5 million contract this winter, Diaz looks as though he'll be in line for a near-everyday role, given that he's one of the few Oakland hitters who has had a modicum of success at the highest level. Allen is the better defensive option at shortstop, but Diaz's clearer path to regular playing time and stronger track record at the dish makes him the superior fantasy option.

Athletics manager Mark Kotsay announced that Allen will form the short side of a platoon at shortstop with Aledmys Diaz to begin the season, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Allen will be in the lineup against left-handed pitching, while Diaz will see the bulk of the playing time against righties. Though he's enjoyed a solid spring training with a .310/.432/.448 slash line over 13 games, Allen posted a meager .547 OPS in his 326 plate appearances with Oakland in 2022. Allen's plus defense gives him a chance to be a strong option up the middle, but he may not present enough upside at the plate to emerge as a major fantasy contributor.

Duran has slashed .352/.375/.704 with three home runs and 15 RBI over 24 spring games.

Duran, who belted his third Cactus League home run Saturday after swatting two Thursday, is doing everything he can to make the Opening Day roster. His 10 extra-base hits lead the team. In addition to the work at the plate, the 23-year-old has appeared at second base, shortstop, third base and the outfield. A utility spot is up for grabs, and it appears Duran and Josh Smith (thumb) are the primary contenders. Smith's injury is recent -- he was scratched from Saturday's game -- but he offers better defense in the outfield, while Duran may need more reps there. The Rangers will decide whether Duran's bat is more valuable than Smith's defense.