MLB Player News

Reds manager David Bell indicated Sunday that De La Cruz will most likely bat second to begin the season, Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Bell noted that De La Cruz's position in the lineup is the spot he's thought about the most, and the young shortstop has hit second for much of spring training. De La Cruz mostly hit in the top half of the Reds' batting order while he was up last season, although he slid down toward the bottom some in September as his struggles mounted. The switch hitter sported just a .495 OPS with a 40.2 percent strikeout rate against left-handers last season, so it wouldn't be a surprise if he winds up hitting lower versus southpaws. Bell said that Sunday's lineup against the Guardians "could be pretty close" to the one he uses in the regular season, although worth noting is that regulars TJ Friedl and Spencer Steer both had the day off.

Hernaiz, who's hitting .240 with five RBI across 10 Cactus League games, is making a strong bid for an Opening Day spot with improved arm strength and footwork, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Hernaiz came into spring camp needing to improve his overall infield defense, and he's been able to make significant progress over the last several weeks. Hernaiz has been splitting time between shortstop and third base, and although the former is his natural position, the latter may be his best path to an Opening Day roster spot. Hernaiz is also holding his own with the bat against big-league arms this spring, and he posted a remarkable .319/.384/.454 slash line and 13.4 percent strikeout rate across 131 games between Double-A Midland and Triple-A Las Vegas last season.

Diaz (groin) continues to ramp up baseball activities and could take minor-league at-bats this coming week, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Diaz has been progressively building back up from the groin strain he sustained before a Feb. 28 Cactus League game. If he's indeed able to begin logging at-bats again at minor-league camp in the next few days, his chances of being ready for Opening Day on March 28 would seemingly increase.

McLain started at second base and went 0-for-2 in Sunday's spring game against Cleveland.

McLain took the field for the first time in a Cactus League game after dealing with an oblique injury. He batted third and played four innings in the field at what will be his primary position in 2024, as he's set to be Cincinnati's starter at second base. There's plenty of time for McLain to get at-bats and swings, and he should be ready to go Opening Day.

Rojas was scratched from the lineup for Sunday's Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks due to lower leg soreness, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Even though Rojas was scratched, Ardaya notes that the veteran infielder was still taking groundballs in pregame warmups, so the leg injury likely isn't a major concern. Rojas made 109 starts for Los Angeles during the 2023 season, but he'll likely be in line for more of a reduced role in 2024 with Mookie Betts and Gavin Lux slated to serve as the Dodgers' primary starters in the middle infield.

Luciano has slipped behind Nick Ahmed for the Giants' starting shortstop job, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Luciano has had a terrible spring, going 1-for-14 (.071) with nine strikeouts over six games. Ahmed, meanwhile, has gone 5-for-9 with two home runs across four spring contests. Luciano was viewed as the frontrunner for the shortstop job heading into spring training, but he's struggled in all aspects after battling a hamstring injury early in camp, and that has eroded his advantage. With both Luciano and Ahmed being right-handed hitters, there's little chance a platoon develops here.

Ahmed is now ahead of Marco Luciano for the starting job at shortstop, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Ahmed has enjoyed a torrid start to the spring since signing a minor-league deal with the Giants on Feb. 26. He's gone 5-for-9 with two home runs, five RBI, five runs and two walks over four Cactus League games. That's far better than Luciano's 1-for-14 (.071) mark with nine strikeouts over six contests. Ahmed also provides veteran experience and solid defense, while Luciano has struggled in the field in spring games. Ahmed's chances of keeping up this pace are low -- he slashed .212/.257/.303 with just two home runs over 72 contests last season with the Diamondbacks before he was released in September.

Lawlar was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Sunday.

The Diamondbacks already confirmed Geraldo Perdomo as their starting shortstop to begin the season, so it's not a surprise Lawlar will open in the minors since the organization wants him to see consistent at-bats. The 21-year-old struggled in his first taste of the majors last season with a .129 average in 34 plate appearances and has just 16 games under his belt at Triple-A, though he posted a 1.050 OPS while with Reno late last year. Lawlar could be up with the Diamondbacks before long to receive a starting chance if Perdomo falters.

The Rangers optioned Ornelas to Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

Ornelas, 23, appeared in eight games for Texas during the 2023 season, but he wasn't a serious candidate to make the Opening Day roster. The infielder should get the chance to play on a near-everyday basis at Round Rock to begin the campaign.

Arias was scratched from Sunday's Cactus League lineup versus the Reds due to an illness, Mandy Bell of MLB.comreports.

Arias is feeling under the weather and won't play as scheduled Sunday, but he should be back in action soon. The 24-year-old had a .627 OPS in 122 games last season and could being 2024 as Cleveland's primary shortstop, though he's not likely to have much security in that role.