MLB Player News

Crawford has been scratched from Friday's Cactus League game against the Athletics for undisclosed reasons, Corey Brock of The Athletic reports.

Crawford has been dealing with a shoulder issue in the past few days, but there's no word as to why the infielder is out of the lineup. Mason McCoy will start in his place. There should be an update on why Crawford is out of action before the conclusion of Friday's game.

Velazquez was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake by the Angels on Friday, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Velazquez is excellent defensively, but he holds a career .192/.240/.295 batting line in 530 total plate appearances at the MLB level. He played in 125 games for the Angels in 2022, and it's a better sign for the team's chances in 2023 that he will not be part of the Opening Day roster.

Volpe has been receiving support from "high-level voices" within the Yankees in his bid to make the Opening Day roster, Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reports.

Manager Aaron Boone allowed his players to "pound the table" for their favorite shortstop candidate earlier this week, per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, and it sounds like multiple veterans have Volpe's back. The 21-year-old was considered a long shot to make the team coming into camp, but he's put himself neck and neck with Oswald Peraza by slashing .279/.404/.535 with two homers and five steals in 15 Grapefruit League games. Volpe is leading off for the Yankees again in their split-squad game against the Twins on Friday.

Smith went 3-for-4 with a pair of run-scoring singles that netted three RBI, a double and a run in a Cactus League tie with the Rangers on Thursday.

Smith's torrid spring continued with his fourth multi-hit effort of Cactus League play, which pushed his average to .385 and his RBI total to 14. The 26-year-old does have 15 strikeouts in 46 plate appearances, but the upside he's flashed when putting the ball in play seemingly gives him job security as a reserve infielder who could progressively work himself into a solid amount of playing time.

Lopez (groin) will be available as a reserve in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Lopez isn't guaranteed to play Wednesday, but after resuming full baseball activities earlier this week without incident, he looks like he's made a recovery from the left groin injury he picked up while recently playing for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic. The 24-year-old is in the mix for a spot on the Blue Jays' Opening Day roster as a utility man.

Soto was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake by the Angels on Tuesday.

Soto comes up short in his bid to be a bench option for the Angels to begin 2023. The infielder performed well in an 18-game sample with Los Angeles last year with a .400/.414/.582 slash line over 59 plate appearances. There's a very good chance Soto will be up with the Angels before the end of 2023, but he's likely to spend just as much time -- if not more -- with Salt Lake.

Baez rejoined the Tigers on Monday after hitting .368 with one home run, three doubles, six RBI and zero walks against three strikeouts over five games for Team Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic.

Baez was a standout performer for Puerto Rico in the tournament, as in addition to his exploits at the plate, he impressed with a few dazzling plays in the field at second base. He'll move back to his usual spot at shortstop now that he's back at Tigers camp, and the team brass will be hoping that the strong showing on the international stage will help invigorate Baez after he endured a rough first season in Detroit upon signing a six-year, $140 million deal last winter. Despite his excellent showing in the WBC, Baez hasn't carried that form over to the Grapefruit League, where he's slashing .136/.130/.227 with no walks and four strikeouts in eight games.

Crawford (shoulder) started at shortstop in Monday's Cactus League win over the Brewers and went 0-for-3 with a strikeout before being replaced by Mason McCoy in the top of the sixth inning.

Crawford had last seen Cactus League action Thursday and most recently played shortstop March 10, as a "soggy" right shoulder had limited him to designated hitter duties since then. Crawford's ability to slot back in on defense Monday was in accordance with an aforementioned timeline, and it seems the veteran is on track to be at full strength for Opening Day.

Barger was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo by the Blue Jays on Monday, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.

Barger was attempting to win a spot on Toronto's bench to begin the season, but instead will start the year in Triple-A. With Barger heading to Buffalo, it appears that Otto Lopez has won a spot on the Blue Jays' Opening Day roster to begin 2023.

Chang is contending with visa issues and isn't scheduled to report back to Red Sox camp until Thursday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Chang is working to rejoin Boston after he recently took home MVP honors for Pool A of the World Baseball Classic following a four-game stint with Chinese Taipei in which he went 7-for-16 with four extra-base hits and eight RBI. Assuming his arrival at camp isn't delayed any further than the latter half this week, Chang should remain in the mix to win a spot on the Red Sox's Opening Day roster as a reserve infielder. Bobby Dalbec likely represents his main competition for the final roster berth.