MLB Player News

DeJong is being evaluated for lower-back tightness, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

That's the reason for his late removal from the Cardinals' Grapefruit League lineup Tuesday. DeJong is considered day-to-day for now. Masyn Winn will start at shortstop and bat eighth against the Astros.

DeJong was scratched from the Cardinals' Grapefruit League lineup Tuesday against the Astros.

No reason has been given yet, though it's notable that DeJong had some trouble with arm fatigue at the start of Grapefruit League play. Top prospect Masyn Winn is in at shortstop and batting eighth Tuesday.

Crawford received a cortisone injection Sunday for his sore left knee, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The hope is that the cortisone shot will help Crawford get over the hump and return to Cactus League action within a week or so. If it doesn't, the veteran shortstop will be at risk of missing the beginning of the 2023 regular season. He hasn't appeared in an exhibition game since last Friday.

Leonard was optioned Monday to minor-league camp by the Dodgers.

Leonard has performed well in 21 plate appearances in the Cactus League with a .400/.429/.450 slash line and three RBI. The infielder will likely start the 2023 campaign in Double-A after hitting .264 with a .784 OPS and 15 homers for High-A Great Lakes in 2022.

The Giants announced Monday that Crawford is experiencing left knee discomfort and will be held out of baseball activities for the next week, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Crawford's week-long shutdown period wouldn't be a major concern if it came during the early portion of spring training, but now that he's battling a knee issue with Opening Day just two and a half weeks away, the veteran shortstop's availability for the start of the season is suddenly more of a question mark. Thairo Estrada will start at shortstop in Monday's Cactus League game against the Padres, and he could continue to see more work at the position for the duration of spring training in preparation for the possibility of Crawford opening the season on the injured list.

Mauricio went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays.

Getting the start at shortstop and hitting ninth, Mauricio took Elvin Rodriguez deep in the fifth inning for his fourth homer of the spring. Mauricio's .304/.360/.870 slash line in camp is impressive, but the 21-year-old has yet play above Double-A and his ability to get on base once he reaches the majors is a major question mark -- he has a .296 OBP in nearly 1,000 plate appearances across the last two minor-league seasons. Even so, a quick start to his campaign at Triple-A this year could put him in line to make his MLB debut at some point over the summer.

Marte was optioned Sunday to Double-A Chattanooga by the Reds, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. Goldsmith further reports that the Reds intend to move Marte to third base. Reds manager David Bell said: "I do think third base is the right spot for him. Can he play short? Probably. He has done it. I think he's going to find a home at third base. I love the actions he has there, he has plenty of arm. I think it's going to be a good home."

Marte is one of the top names in the Cincinnati system, but he wasn't a candidate for the Opening Day roster. The former Seattle prospect will head to Chattanooga and could make his MLB debut over the summer with strong results at the upper levels of the minors.

The Marlins optioned Amaya to Triple-A Jacksonville on Sunday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

With Jazz Chisholm and Luis Arraez seemingly locked in as the Marlins' Opening Day starters in the middle infield, Amaya was never a realistic candidate to break camp with the big club. After being acquired from the Dodgers in January in the deal that sent Miguel Rojas to Los Angeles, Amaya will likely have a clearer path to reaching the big leagues in 2023 with his new organization. He was productive in his first taste of the Triple-A level with Oklahoma City in 2022, slashing .259/.368/.381 with eight home runs and three stolen bases across 351 plate appearances.

Luciano (back) was optioned to minor-league camp Saturday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Luciano hasn't appeared in a spring game because of his back trouble, but he has been a full participant in workouts as of late. The top hitting prospect in the San Francisco system is likely to begin the season with Double-A Richmond, and a strong showing there could go a long way to him making his MLB debut before 2023 comes to a close.

Alexander was optioned Friday to Triple-A Reno.

Alexander was one of seven players in this round of cuts from the major-league side of Diamondbacks camp. The 23-year-old infielder could climb to the majors at some point during the 2023 campaign after slashing .301/.389/.540 with 20 home runs and 10 stolen bases in 98 minor-league games last season. He finished up at Reno.