MLB Player News

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Ahmed is not likely to play every day early in the season, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Ahmed, who is coming off shoulder surgery, will be eased into the year while the team keeps young shortstop Geraldo Perdomo active. It's unclear how the job-share will shake out over the course of the season. Perdomo's bat slumped over the course of 148 games and 500 plate appearances while filling in for Ahmed in 2022 and the former might not be ready for an everyday gig at this point.

Adames went 2-for-3 with a double and a run in Tuesday's spring finale.

Adames recorded just seven hits over his first 12 appearances of the spring -- which were sandwiched around a WBC stint with the Dominican Republic -- but he picked up three over the final two games he appeared in before the Brewers broke camp. Adames hit second or third in each spring game he appeared in, which all but locks him into a spot in the upper third of the order to begin the season.

Bogaerts (wrist) is starting at shortstop and batting cleanup in Sunday's Cactus League game against the Mariners.

The 30-year-old was unavailable the past few days after he received a cortisone injection for soreness in his left wrist, but he's made a quick return to the lineup, as expected. It's apparently an issue Bogaerts often deals with during spring training, so there shouldn't be much concern for the upcoming campaign.

Downs was optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Saturday, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

Downs didn't make much of a case for a roster spot this spring, slashing .162/.225/.216 over 18 games. He's yet to produce even an average batting line in two seasons at the Triple-A level, so it's tough to envision a sudden breakout.

Owings accepted an assignment to minor-league camp Saturday, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

Owings had the right to opt out and look for work elsewhere once he was informed that he failed to make the team, but he decided he was fine opening the year at Triple-A Indianapolis. The veteran's defensive versatility gives him multiple paths to the big-league bench, but he's a career .239/.287/.366 hitter, so it's no surprise he's failed to earn more than 68 MLB plate appearances in any of the last three seasons.

Marcano was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis by the Pirates on Friday.

Marcano has had a rough spring, going just 4-for-27 at the plate -- although that wasn't noticeably worse than the other competitors for the starting job at second base. He still has some upside left at just 23 but has really struggled during his time at the major-league level.

Downs (hand) is expected to come off the bench in the Nationals' Grapefruit League game Friday night against the Cardinals, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Downs has been held out of exhibition action for much of this week after suffering a left hand contusion on a hit-by-pitch, but he can now continue his charge toward the final spot on the bench in Washington. X-rays turned up negative for any fractures.

Bogaerts is wearing a splint on his left wrist after being given a cortisone shot to combat soreness, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The wrist issue is evidently something that usually bothers Bogaerts during spring training and isn't considered to be a big deal. The plan is for the shortstop to rest for two days before returning to play the final two Cactus League games ahead of Opening Day.

Cruz has struck out 11 times in 44 at-bats during Grapefruit League play.

Cruz has only 10 hits this spring -- four of which have gone for extra bases -- but his improved ability to make contact is a positive sign. He struck out at a 34.9 percent clip across 361 plate appearances in the majors last season, but he regularly kept his punchouts within the range of 25 percent throughout his minor-league career. If his increased contact rate can carry over into the regular season, it's a good bet that Cruz will improve upon his .233 average while also providing plenty of home runs and stolen bases.

Downs was held out of the Nationals' Grapefruit League lineup Thursday due to a contusion on his left hand, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Downs suffered the injury when he was struck by a pitch earlier this week, but he should be fine within the next day or two after X-rays came back negative for any fractures. The former Red Sox prospect is fighting for the final spot on Washington's bench.