MLB Player News

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Tuesday that Shaw will travel with the team for their two-game series against the Dodgers in Tokyo on March 18 and 19, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

The Cubs and Dodgers are allowed a 31-man travel roster, so while Counsell's declaration doesn't necessarily mean Shaw will be the team's Opening Day third baseman, it would be a surprise if that's not the case. Shaw got a late start to spring training due to an oblique injury that's limited him to only five games, but he's healthy now and reached base in all three of his plate appearances Monday versus the Guardians. The 23-year-old slashed .284/.379/.488 with 21 home runs and 31 stolen bases between Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa last season and has a chance to be a big fantasy contributor right out of the gate.

Arcia has gone 1-for-15 (.067) over nine Grapefruit league appearances this spring.

The shortstop is better known for his glove, but Arcia has slugged 17 homers in each of the last two regular seasons, even if his OPS dropped from .741 in 2023 to .625 last year. The 30-year-old hasn't yet found his timing in camp, but his job wouldn't seem to be in any jeopardy, especially given the limited options behind him in the system. A healthy Nacho Alvarez might have made a push, but the 21-year-old has been dealing with a wrist injury this spring.

The Giants optioned Basabe (shoulder) to Triple-A Sacramento on Monday.

After reaching the majors with the Rays in 2023 and appearing in 31 games, Basabe spent the entire 2024 campaign in the minors and struggled during his time in the International League, slashing .248/.293/.336 over 283 plate appearances. The Giants acquired him in February and handed him a spot on the 40-man roster, but Basabe was unlikely to break camp even a strained right shoulder hadn't kept him from playing in the Cactus League since Feb. 25. If he's healthy to begin the minor-league season, Basabe should be in line to handle a near-everyday role with Triple-A Sacramento.

The Reds optioned Hinds to Triple-A Louisville on Monday.

Hinds made waves last summer when he was called up from Triple-A in July and proceeded to hit five home runs in his first six big-league games, but he faded badly thereafter, slashing .042/.148/.083 with nine strikeouts in his final 27 plate appearances of the season with Cincinnati. Making consistent contact had remained an issue this spring for Hinds, who struck out in six of his 14 at-bats in Cactus League play. He should handle an everyday role in the outfield as he heads back to Louisville to begin the upcoming season, but Hinds likely need to refine his approach at the plate and cut down on strikeouts before garnering serious consideration for a promotion back to the majors.

Lux is scheduled to start in left field Tuesday against the Rockies, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

The plan all spring was for Lux to see most of his time on the infield during the first part of the Cactus League -- he's mostly lined up at third base -- before introducing him to the outfield. Lux is batting .238 (5-for-21) with two doubles, four RBI and one steal over nine spring games.

Perdomo went 1-for-1 with two walks and two stolen bases in Sunday's split-squad game against the Athletics.

Perdomo has delivered for the Diamondbacks this spring after signing a four-year contract extension. He's gone 8-for-24 (.333) with four walks, building off improving on-base skills the last two seasons following a rude introduction to major league pitching during his rookie 2022 season. Sunday's two thefts were his first of the Cactus League. While his overall fantasy profile doesn't grab one's attention, Perdomo does provide some value in steals; he swiped 16 bags in 2023 (144 games) and nine in an injury-shortened 2024 (98 games).

The Cubs optioned Cowles to Triple-A Iowa on Sunday, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports.

The 25-year-old was added to Chicago's 40-man roster in November in order to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft, but he was never a likely candidate to make the Opening Day roster. Cowles spent last season at the Double-A level with both the Cubs and Yankees organizations, and he had a .286/.372/.457 slash line with nine homers and 14 steals in 92 games.

Barrero could be competing with Jose Fermin for the final spot on the Cardinals' bench, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Working in Barrero's favor is that the Cardinals lack a true backup shortstop and are also left-handed heavy in the outfield. The right-handed hitting Barrero is a natural shortstop and can also play the outfield, making him a fit to fill a versatile bench role. Barrero, who is in camp as a non-roster invitee, has two home runs and one stolen base in 11 games this spring. The former top prospect hasn't played in the majors since June of 2023.

The Marlins optioned Acosta to Triple-A Jacksonville on Saturday, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

Acosta's option to Triple-A will act as a promotion of sorts, as he spent all of last season in Double-A as part of the Rangers organization. The 22-year-old went 3-for-11 with a home run in his first spring with the Marlins, and a lack of depth in the big-league infield keeps the door open for Acosta to debut in 2025.

Abrams went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets.

The shortstop took Paul Blackburn deep in the third inning, giving Abrams his first homer of the spring. He's batting just .217 (5-for-23) so far in Grapefruit League action, and while he has yet to strike out, Abrams also has yet to draw a walk -- something the Nats are looking for him to do more consistently in 2025 as the team prepares to make him the leadoff hitter. The 24-year-old's fantasy upside is undeniable, as he's racked up 38 homers and 78 steals in 289 games over the last two seasons, but his .245/.307/.422 slash line has plenty of room for improvement.