MLB Player News

Bichette went 1-for-3 with a walk, a double, a run scored and a stolen base in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta.

Getting a look in the leadoff spot, Bichette stole his first bag of the spring. The 27-year-old shortstop could see significant time at the top of the order in 2025, especially if he quickly erases memories of his rough 2024, and he did steal 38 bases combined in 2021-22 before running mostly disappeared from his skill set over the last two seasons. Bichette is having a big spring as he looks for a clean slate at the plate, batting .351 (13-for-37) with three doubles, two homers and a 2:6 BB:K.

Newcomb is in the mix to open the season in Boston's rotation while Brayan Bello (shoulder), Lucas Giolito (hamstring) and Kutter Crawford (knee) are out, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Newcomb has been using a new cutter this spring and has "caught our eyes" with how he's pitched, per manager Alex Cora, allowing just one run with a 10:3 K:BB over 9.2 innings. Quinn Priester and Richard Fitts have been viewed as the favorites to capture the final two rotation spots, and that still might be the case. However, Priester and Fitts both have minor-league options remaining, so the Red Sox could send one of them down and award Newcomb with a rotation spot, helping to reinforce depth. Newcomb hasn't been used as a regular starter in the majors since 2018.

The Athletics optioned Ruiz to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.

Ruiz once looked to be one of the more intriguing prospects in the Athletics system after he was acquired from the Brewers in December 2022. Though he led the American League with 67 steals in 2023, Ruiz slashed just .254/.309/.345 over his first full season in the big leagues and seems to have since been passed up by other outfielders on the organizational depth chart. He spent most of the 2024 season either on the injured list or stuck in a bench role with the Athletics, and Ruiz will now have to head to Triple-A to begin the 2025 campaign due to the logjam in the big-league outfield.

The Athletics optioned Ginn to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.

Ginn was in contention for a spot in the Athletics' Opening Day rotation heading into camp, but he'll open the season in the minors after struggling over his five Cactus League outings (7.62 ERA, 1.85 WHIP and 16:8 K:BB in 13 innings). If the right-hander can iron out his control issues at Triple-A, he should be one of the top candidates to enter the rotation if the Athletics are in need of another starter at any point this season.

Loperfido has received most of the playing time in center field this spring while Daulton Varsho (shoulder) has been limited to DH duties, and the former Astro is the favorite to be the Blue Jays' Opening Day center fielder, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Loperfido hasn't done much with his bat in Grapefruit League action, batting .160 (4-for-25) with a 3:7 BB:K and zero home runs, but three of his four hits have gone for extra bases. The 25-year-old struggled at the plate last season as well after being acquired from Houston, but Toronto still believes in his potential after he slashed .256/.352/.498 with 18 homers and 13 steals in 71 games for Triple-A Sugar Land prior to being part of the Yusei Kikuchi deal.

The Athletics optioned Hernaiz to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.

Hernaiz turned in a lowly .503 OPS over 48 games in the majors with the Athletics last season and hit just .194 in Cactus League play, so he never seemed to built much of a case for a spot on the Opening Day roster. The 24-year-old infielder should get the chance to play on an everyday basis at Triple-A.

Lee is starting at third base and batting seventh in Monday's Grapefruit League game versus the Pirates.

Royce Lewis strained his left hamstring strain during Grapefruit League action Sunday and is slated to open the season on the injured list. Lee could be the first choice to occupy the hot corner while Lewis is shelved, which would lead to more reps at second base for Willi Castro and Edouard Julien, who is starting at the keystone Monday.

Carrasco is likely to open the season in the Yankees' rotation, Jack Curry of YES Network reports.

In camp as a non-roster invitee, Carrasco has pitched well during Grapefruit League action, holding a 2.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 12:6 K:BB over 11 innings. Injuries to Gerrit Cole (elbow) and Luis Gil (lat) have opened up two spots in the Yankees' rotation. Marcus Stroman is expected to fill one of the spots, and it sounds like Carrasco might be favored over Will Warren to occupy the other.

The Rays reassigned Krehbiel to minor-league camp Monday.

Krehbiel has spent parts of four seasons in the majors, but he pitched exclusively at the Triple-A level in 2024 as a member of the Mariners organization, logging a 3.26 ERA and 1.14 WHIP across 58 innings. He caught on with the Rays on a minor-league deal in January, but after falling short in his bid for a spot in the big club's Opening Day bullpen, Krehbiel will likely begin the campaign at Triple-A Durham.

The Rays reassigned Acton to minor-league camp Monday.

Acton reached the big leagues in 2023 with the Athletics and made six appearances out of the bullpen, but he was released later that summer after he required Tommy John surgery. The right-hander caught on with Tampa Bay in December 2023 on a two-year, minor-league deal, and after spending his first season in the organization rehabbing his elbow, he's ready to pitch again in 2025. Look for Acton to open the season in the bullpen at Triple-A Durham.