MLB Player News

Abreu feels like his offense this spring is in the same place it was at the end of last season, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. He batted .269 with three home runs and 14 RBI over 22 spring games.

Abreu has experienced a slight drop-off since his fabulous rookie season in 2014, but showed encouraging signs in the second half of last season after making a correction in his swing. The first baseman slashed .319/.384/.514 with 14 homers in 73 games after the 2016 All-Star break. Abreu said he's in the best shape physically since arriving in the United States, and added that the mental baggage he'd been carrying around is in the past after testifying in court in a Cuban player-smuggling trial against a former agent and trainer. "I feel good, 100 percent focused on the game. My mind can be perfectly clear," said Abreu.

As long as he remains healthy, Diaz will make Cleveland's Opening Day roster.

Diaz has been spectacular at the plate this spring, as he's hit .429/.529/.667 over 18 games (51 at-bats). His solid bat and experience in both the outfield and the hot corner will make him a versatile option for the Indians. Although he's yet to be tested in the majors and doesn't bring an overwhelming amount of power, Diaz has been a consistent batter in the minors and hit to the tune of .325/.399/.461 at Triple-A Columbus in 2016.

Cron went 1-for-2 and blasted his fourth home run of the spring in Wednesday's win over the Brewers.

Cron may have done enough with his bat this spring (.313 with four homers) to win the Angels' starting first base job outright, but a hamstring injury took Luis Valbuena out of the competition, opening up everyday playing time for the slugging first baseman to start the season. The 27-year-old contributed 16 homers and 69 RBI in 407 at-bats last season before injuries took a hold of his season, so there is potential for 20-plus homers in the slugger's bat if he can hang on to the job all year and stay healthy himself.

McBride (back) went 2-for-3 with a double and a homer in Wednesday's Cactus League game.

McBride missed most of spring with a lat strain and is now 3-for-12 with a homer and five strikeouts. The 31-year-old will serve most of the year as organizational depth.

Santana is expected to open the season as the leadoff hitter for the Indians, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

It's a role that could change with the return of Michael Brantley, but is certainly a well-deserved spot for the first baseman. Santana led the Indians with 34 home runs last season (19 from the leadoff spot) and is set to help form a powerful lineup alongside Edwin Encarnacion, Jason Kipnis and Francisco Lindor.

The Indians informed Colabello on Sunday that he wouldn't make the Indians' Opening Day roster.

Colabello had an excellent spring training with a 15-of-39 showing from the dish and performed well for Italy in the World Baseball Classic, but as a non-roster invitee, the 33-year-old always faced long odds to break camp with the big club. After missing much of the first half of last season while serving a suspension for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs, Colabello slashed just .180/.248/.288 with Triple-A Buffalo in the Blue Jays organization. He'll likely have to find some success with Triple-A Columbus before earning a promotion to the Indians in 2017.

Solano was assigned to the Yankees' minor-league camp Monday.

Solano appeared in nine games with the big club a season ago, going 5-for-22 (.227 average) at the dish. With the Yankees relatively healthy in the infield as the regular season approaches, Solano never had a realistic shot at winning an Opening Day roster spot, but as injuries mount over the course of the campaign, he could be called upon if more depth is needed up the middle. Look for Solano to report to Triple-A Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

Hague has been told he won't make Minnesota's final 25-man roster, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Hague has had a good spring as he's hitting .359, but he'll need to prove himself in the minors after producing a .685 OPS with the Hanshin Tigers in Japan last year.

Gillaspie was reassigned to minor league camp Thursday, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Gillaspie smacked three homers over 40 spring at-bats but hit only .200 and counted two doubles as his only other extra-base hits over that span. The 2014 first-round pick will look to improve on what was an excellent 203-plate appearance stint at Triple-A Durham in 2016 that included a .307/.389/.520 line.

Santana is 2-for-6 with a strikeout in his first two Cactus League games since returning from the WBC.

Santana entertained on the world stage by hitting .308 (8-for-26) with a pair of doubles, three RBI and two runs scored for the Dominican Republic. Fantasy owners will hope for carry-over results similar to the ones he displayed coming off his previous WBC. Following the 2013 tournament, the slugger opened the MLB regular season by hitting .389 in April. A slight regression from 2016's career year should be expected, but even so, Santana brings plenty of value across all formats.