MLB Player News

Atlanta optioned Grissom to Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday,

Grissom was the presumed starter at shortstop for Atlanta to begin the 2023 campaign on the heels of his promising rookie season, but the 22-year-old will begin the season in Gwinnett after some shaky showings in the Grapefruit League, particularly on the defensive end. There's a good chance Grissom will see playing time with Atlanta before the season comes to a conclusion, but he should be dropped considerably down fantasy draft boards since there's no guarantee when he'll be playing in the majors this year. Orlando Arcia is expected to open the season as Atlanta's primary shortstop.

DeJong (back) said Monday that he expects to begin the season on the injured list, Ben Frederickson of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

DeJong had been slated to return to Grapefruit League play in the designated hitter spot Tuesday, but he had a setback with his lower-back injury while fielding grounders Monday. He doesn't expect to be able to get into another spring game, so being ready for Opening Day isn't realistic. With DeJong out, the Cardinals could consider carrying Taylor Motter as a backup at shortstop behind Tommy Edman.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Monday that DeJong recently suffered a setback in his recovery from back soreness and is questionable to be ready to go for Opening Day, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

DeJong's back issue first cropped up March 14, but after he made some progress in the days that followed, the Cardinals had been earmarking Tuesday's game against the Nationals for his return to the Grapefruit League lineup. Those plans have now been scrapped in light of DeJong's setback, but Marmol said the Cardinals will put a plan together later Monday to see when or if a return to the lineup is possible for the shortstop before the end of the spring. If DeJong is forced to the injured list to begin the season, the move could pave the way for non-roster invitee Taylor Motter to make the Cardinals' Opening Day squad as a reserve infielder.

Castillo was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Sunday.

Castillo was acquired by the Diamondbacks in December and had a solid showing in spring training with a .270/.325/.459 slash line in 17 contests, but it wasn't enough to give him a spot on the Opening Day roster. The 25-year-old had a .633 OPS over 96 games in his first taste of MLB action with the Pirates last year.

Reds manager David Bell has talked to Barrero about getting some reps in center field to add to his flexibility, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Bell noted that Barrero still has a chance to win the starting shortstop gig with the Reds, but a look in the outfield will certainly help his odds of making the Opening Day roster, assuming he shows he can handle playing in the grass. The 24-year-old has hit well in the Cactus League thus far, posting a .310/.375/.517 slash line over 32 plate appearances coming into Sunday.

Grissom got the start at DH on Saturday and went 1-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored in a Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

That's now four straight days in which Grissom hasn't made an appearance at shortstop, an ominous sign for a player whose defense was seen as the biggest obstacle between him and the starting assignment Opening Day. He's done everything he needs to do at the plate this spring, however, going 10-for-31 (.323) with a 2:3 BB:K, so the only question now is whether Atlanta prefers Grissom's bat or Braden Shewmake's glove. Whichever young shortstop doesn't win the starting gig will open the season at Triple-A Gwinnett.

Abrams (back) is starting at shortstop and batting seventh in Sunday's spring game against the Tigers, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Abrams has been held out of game action the past few days due to back tightness, but he'll rejoin the lineup after going through a full workout Saturday with no issues. The 22-year-old had a .604 OPS in his first taste of the big leagues last season but will receive another chance to establish himself as Washington's shortstop to open 2023.

Abrams (back) went through a full workout Saturday and is expected to rejoin the lineup Sunday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

The young shortstop has been sidelined since Tuesday due to back tightness. Abrams has gone 7-for-26 (.269) in Grapefruit League play with four steals in four attempts, but his 0:10 BB:K indicates he's still got some work to do to realize his potential. The 22-year-old was the sixth overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft before being one of the headliners in the package the Padres shipped east for Juan Soto.

Turner hit a grand slam to help Team USA to an 9-7 win Saturday over Team Venezuela in the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic.

With Team USA trailing 7-5, Turner crushed a Silvino Bracho offering over the left-field fence to give USA the lead and ultimately the victory. The star shortstop has his second home run of the tournament, and he's slashing .286/.375/.714 in the WBC thus far. Turner and Team USA will face Cuba on Sunday in the semifinals.

Berti went 2-for-3 with a home run Saturday in a Grapefruit League win for the Marlins over the Nationals.

He also added an RBI single an inning later. It's the first homer of the spring for Berti, and it came off Taylor Williams to start the game. The 33-year-old infielder has gotten off to a solid start this spring with a .269/.424/.385 slash. Berti has been a major steals threat over the past few seasons, including a league-leading 41 thefts in 102 games last year, and he should at least be productive in that category again in 2023.