MLB Player News
-
Jose Fernandez SS | ARI
Diamondbacks' Jose Fernandez: Headed out to Reno
The Diamondbacks optioned Fernandez to Triple-A Reno on Sunday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
After being added to the Diamondbacks' 40-man roster over the winter, Fernandez will make the jump to Triple-A this season after spending the entire 2025 campaign at Double-A Amarillo, with whom he slashed .272/.321/.454 with 17 home runs and 12 steals in 510 plate appearances. The 22-year-old from Venezuela is regarded as only an average defender at shortstop, so a move to third base could be in the cards at some point down the road.
-
Demetrio Crisantes SS | ARI
Diamondbacks' Demetrio Crisantes: Overcomes shoulder issue
Crisantes (shoulder) has appeared in three Cactus League games since making his spring debut Wednesday, going a collective 3-for-7 with one double.
Crisantes was eased into workouts this spring after he underwent left shoulder surgery in May, but the 21-year-old demonstrated enough progress in his recovery for the Diamondbacks to sign off on him playing in games. Crisantes is attending camp as a non-roster invitee and is likely to be assigned to High-A Hillsboro to open the 2026 season.
-
Marcelo Mayer SS | BOS
Red Sox's Marcelo Mayer: Not guaranteed to make roster
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Sunday that Mayer is "doing a good job" but wouldn't guarantee the young infielder will make the Opening Day roster, Sean McAdam of MassLive.com reports.
The 23-year-old is batting just .200 through four spring training games, though one of his two hits was a home run. Mayer struggled to a .228/.272/.402 slash line in 44 regular-season games as he received his first taste of the majors in 2025, and the offseason acquisitions of Caleb Durbin and Isiah Kiner-Falefa have resulted in a more crowded infield. If Mayer doesn't win a starting job, the Red Sox could prioritize getting him everyday opportunities in the minor leagues rather than keeping him in the majors as a bench option.
-
Benjamin Cowles SS | CHC
Cubs' Ben Cowles: Demoted to Iowa
The Cubs optioned Cowles to Triple-A Iowa on Sunday.
Cowles was jettisoned from Chicago's 40-man roster last September and again at the beginning of spring training, but each time he's ended up reuniting with the Cubs after being claimed and waived by another team. Now back on the 40-man, at least for now, the 26-year-old is expected to handle an everyday role in Iowa to begin the season and could receive his first big-league call-up if the Cubs require an extra infielder at any point.
-
Jack Brannigan SS | PIT
Pirates' Jack Brannigan: Sent to Triple-A
The Pirates optioned Brannigan (nose) to Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday.
Brannigan has been out of action since suffering a fractured nose after being hit in the face by a bad hop in his Grapefruit League debut back on Feb. 22. The injury isn't considered significant, but it's an unfortunate setback after the 24-year-old infielder missed the final three months of the 2025 season while recovering from shoulder surgery. The Pirates haven't revealed if Brannigan will be ready for game action by the time spring training concludes, so he could open the season on Indianapolis' 7-day injured list.
-
Mikey Romero SS | BOS
Red Sox's Mikey Romero: Back in infield Sunday
Romero (back) will start at second base and bat sixth in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates.
After having been held out of action since Feb. 26 due to a back issue, Romero returned to the lineup as a designated hitter Saturday, going 0-for-2 in a 2-0 win over the Rays. Romero apparently experienced no setbacks coming out of that contest, prompting the Red Sox to clear him for defensive duties a day later. The 22-year-old is likely to be assigned to Triple-A Worcester to begin the season.
-
Jose Fernandez SS | ARI
Diamondbacks' Jose Fernandez: Hot spring continues
Fernandez went 2-for-3 with a double, a home run and two RBI in Saturday's spring game against San Francisco.
Fernandez has been one of the hottest hitters on the Diamondbacks this spring. The shortstop is 7-for-25 with all seven hits going for extra bases, and 13 of his 18 balls in play this spring have left his bat at over 100 mph. There's been a lot of swing and miss as well, which is to be expected for a 22-year-old that has yet to compete above Double-A, but a good showing at Triple-A Reno could put him in line for a big-league debut in 2026.
-
Sergio Alcantara SS | WAS
Nationals' Sergio Alcantara: Removed from big-league camp
The Nationals reassigned Alcantara to minor-league camp Sunday.
Alcantara logged four plate appearances with the Giants last season in his first MLB action since 2022, but he was outrighted off the 40-man roster in July and ended up finishing the 2025 campaign at Triple-A Reno in the Arizona organization. He caught on with the Nationals on a minor-league deal in January but fell short in his bid for a spot on the Opening Day roster. The 29-year-old is likely to report to Triple-A Rochester to begin the upcoming season.
-
Geraldo Perdomo SS | ARI
Diamondbacks' Geraldo Perdomo: Out for WBC game with illness
Team Dominican Republic manager Nelson Cruz said that Perdomo is on the bench for Sunday's game against Team Netherlands due to an illness, Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes reports.
With Perdomo battling the flu, Cruz will turn to Erik Gonzalez to man shortstop in the Dominican Republic's second game of pool play. Perdomo will rest up and recover with the aim of returning to the starting nine Monday versus Team Israel.