MLB Player News

Diaz has been working on the back fields at the Indians' complex with third-base coach and infield instructor Mike Sarbaugh, like a student cramming for an exam, to earn an Opening Day roster spot as a third baseman, MLB.com's Jordan Bastian reports.

With Jason Kipnis (shoulder) likely to miss the beginning of the season, starting third baseman Jose Ramirez may be pushed across the diamond to fill the hole. Diaz is looking to capitalize on that potential opening at the hot corner to ensure his place on the 25-man roster. As a member of the Rockies' organization in 2015, the 25-year-old played 126 minor-league games at third base. However, Diaz played a majority of his 103 games last year at Triple-A in the outfield. It's widely believed that the Cuban native can hold his own in the box against MLB pitchers -- he owns a career .307/.403/.410 slash line while displaying good plate discipline over 1222 at-bats in the minors -- but the Tribe have other options to temporarily hold down third base if Diaz proves to be a defensive liability.

With Luis Valbuena (hamstring) heading for an MRI on Thursday, Cron's chances of becoming the Angels' starter at first base increase, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Both veteran sluggers have been battling for playing time all spring, with neither taking a significant lead at any point. Even though Valbuena's hamstring injury wasn't considered serious at first, the timing of it should lead to Cron winning the job outright. The 27-year-old is slashing .340/.393/.640 in 54 spring training plate appearances after posting career-best numbers in 2016 (.278 with 16 homers and 69 RBI over 116 games). This news bumps his value up, as regular at-bats to start the year could lead to some cheap power numbers.

Gurriel hit a first-inning, three-run homer and later doubled in Wednesday's game against the Twins.

Gurriel has had a quiet camp before flexing his muscles the last two days, going 4-for-6 with two homers, two doubles and four RBI. It's an encouraging sign that he'll be able to handle the transition to a new defensive position without reducing the impact of his bat.

Gurriel went 2-for-3 with his first spring home run in Tuesday's game against the Marlins.

Gurriel will be Houston's starting first baseman, but he may not be the prototypical one that hits 25-30 homers. The 32-year-old hit just three in 36 games for Houston in 2016, which projects out to 14 over a 162-game season. That's a pretty simplistic metric with which to evaluate his power, but his home run totals were on the decline in Cuba. He's also learning a new defensive position, which could be a hindrance to a player's offense. We're not recommending you completely avoid Gurriel, but understand we need to see him play more regularly in the States.

O'Hearn was reassigned to the Royals' minor league camp Monday, MLB.com's Jeffrey Flanagan reports.

An unheralded eighth-round draft pick in 2014, O'Hearn has emerged as a top-10 prospect in the Royals system thanks to his excellent power. He combined to smack 22 homers across High-A Wilmington and Double-A Northwest Arkansas last season, but endured more struggles at the latter stop, as his ISO dropped nearly 140 points. The 23-year-old will likely head back to Northwest Arkansas to begin the 2017 season, with improving his plate discipline representing his chief goal.

Manager John Gibbons said Monday that Tellez will report to Triple-A Buffalo to begin the season, Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun reports.

Tellez impressed the Blue Jays' brass with his strong plate discipline during spring training, but the 22-year-old didn't warrant any serious attention for an Opening Day roster spot, despite the team's lack of depth at first base. After a breakout season at Double-A New Hampshire in which he swatted 23 homers, Tellez will have to prove the power he displayed wasn't a fluke while moving up to Triple-A, but his existing contact skills should at least give him a decent floor once he matriculates to the majors.

Singleton has been reassigned to minor league camp, MLB.com's Brian McTaggart reports.

Singleton was 4-for-21 at the plate during Grapefruit League play, scoring three runs and driving in two during what will end up being a short spring. The next step for the 25-year-old, who was removed from the team's 40-man roster in April, remains to be seen. Singleton should still get some run at Triple-A Fresno, but after hitting just .202 and striking out at a 24.8 percent clip last year, he'll need to quickly turn things around in order to even keep his job there.

Gurriel made a nice defensive play at first base during Friday's game, an indication that his transition to the new position is going well, Glenn Sattell of MLB.com reports. "He's been good," manager A.J. Hinch said of the transition. "He's just adapting to some of the intricacies of the position -- foot placement, tags, positioning."

Gurriel's play Friday was routine for a seasoned first baseman, but he showed good instincts for a player still learning the position. He gloved a hard-hit ball down the line, stepped on first base, and made the throw to second base to complete a double play that helped Dallas Keuchel get out of trouble. Hinch is confident Gurriel has the glove and footwork of an infielder that will make the transition easier, but now wants to see how the 32-year-old reacts to events unique to first-base play.

Olson was optioned to Triple-A Nashville on Friday.

Olson made his Athletics debut last season after rosters expanded, but he has played just one season above Double-A ball and has shown significant strikeout issues in the minors, so he needs more seasoning before becoming a regular in Oakland. Olson mustered a .757 OPS despite just a .235 batting average last year, so if he can find a way to make more contact, he could become a staple in the Athletics outfield.

Carter went 0-for-3 with a walk and one RBI in Thursday's game.

The slugger was back in the lineup Thursday after missing a few games with an illness, but his struggles at the plate continued. He is just 4-for-28 (.143) with one home run and three RBI through 12 games this spring, which isn't helping his bid for playing time over Greg Bird and Matt Holiday.