MLB Player News

Duran was optioned to Double-A Frisco on Sunday.

Duran had his contract selected by the Rangers in November and was with the big-league club to open spring training, but he never had a realistic chance to make the Opening Day roster given he spent the 2021 campaign at the High-A level. He was acquired from the Yankees last season and hit .267/.342/.486 with 19 home runs, 79 RBI and 19 stolen bases in 105 games.

Story (personal) is expected to rejoin the Red Sox on Monday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Story has been away for the birth of his child, which in turn pushed back his debut with the team. Though Boston doesn't have a spring training game scheduled Monday, Story is expected to participate in an intrasquad contest, and he will likely debut in Grapefruit League action by the close of the week. Notably, manager Alex Cora said Story could receive extra days off early in the regular season as he gets fully ramped up.

Correa is hitting third and starting at shortstop in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Correa reported to spring training shortly after signing a three-year, $105.3 million contract with the Twins on March 18. However, Sunday's appearance will mark his first game action with his new club. The lineup closely resembles what could be Minnesota's Opening Day lineup, meaning Correa could regularly hit third to start the campaign.

Allen, who went 1-for-4 in a Cactus League loss to the Guardians on Saturday, is now hitting .500 (6-for-12) with two triples, a solo home run, three walks and three runs across his first seven exhibitions.

The fact the star defensive prospect is wowing with the bat certainly ups his chances of snagging an Opening Day roster spot, and the rebuilding Athletics appear to be looking to afford him every opportunity by also testing out his elite glove at second base already this spring. Allen's current success with the bat isn't necessarily surprising, either, considering he's coming off a stellar .319/.374/.471 line at Double-A Midland last season. He generated a .243/.302/.301 tally at Triple-A Las Vegas across 39 games.

Tovar was optioned to minor-league spring training Saturday.

Tovar was added to the Rockies' Rule 5 draft in November, and he worked with the major-league coaching staff to begin spring training. He went 9-for-16 with three homers, a double, six RBI, five runs, a stolen base and a strikeout across seven Cactus League appearances this spring, but he'll presumably begin the 2022 campaign at High-A Spokane.

Fletcher leads the battle to be the Angels' primary shortstop this season, though he'll play some second base as well, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Fletcher primarily played second base last season but has 73 career starts at shortstop, grading out as a bit better than average at the position according to both UZR and DRS. If he's the team's main shortstop this season, that leaves a battle for second base between a number of players including Luis Rengifo, Tyler Wade, Jack Mayfield and Matt Duffy.

McLain was reassigned to minor-league spring training Saturday, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

McLain served as a non-roster invitee to begin camp, and he went 2-for-7 with an RBI, a stolen base, a walk and four strikeouts across five Cactus League appearances. He'll presumably begin the year at High-A Dayton.

Baez is batting third in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies, and Detroit manager A.J. Hinch said this may resemble his Opening Day lineup, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

After he signed a six-year, $140 million deal with Detroit in November, there was no doubt that Baez would bat high in the lineup, but it wasn't clear exactly where he'd slot in regularly. If Hinch's Saturday lineup is any indication, his new shortstop will be the No. 3 hitter most days, with Robbie Grossman batting second and Jeimer Candelario hitting cleanup. This could change, of course, but Baez should get plenty of chances to produce no matter who's around him in the order.

Ahmed believes he has a routine designed to deal with the shoulder injuries that plagued him the last two seasons, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Ahmed has been playing in Cactus League games and is ready to resume his role as Arizona's starting shortstop in 2022, but there remains lingering concerns about the health of the shoulder over the long haul. He did not undergo surgery and was somewhat evasive when asked about the possibility. The shortstop saw is production drop significantly in 2021, when he slashed .221/.280/.339 over 129 games. The Diamondbacks believe they are better positioned to handle his absence should Ahmed's shoulder act up again in 2022. Geraldo Perdomo showed development at the plate over the second half of the minor-league season, posting a line of .329/.414/.521 in August and September.

Witt went 2-for-3 with a three-run home run and two runs scored in Thursday's 5-4 win over the Reds.

With homers in back-to-back games, Witt is using his power to make a case for the Opening Day roster. He's added five RBI, three runs scored and a double in four spring training games so far. For now, Witt is penciled in as the starting third baseman to begin 2022 -- he's done well to show he belongs so far after a quick rise through the minors.