MLB Player News

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.

Gillaspie went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 3-3 Grapefruit League tie with the Red Sox.

The 2014 first-round draft pick blasted his third round-tripper over the last four games when he took reliever Marcus Walden deep in the sixth. Gillaspie has had mixed results at the plate this spring (.241/.290/.552), but the power he's displayed in recent games has certainly been a highlight.

Diaz went 1-for-2 as a designated hitter in Tuesday's game against the Giants.

The 25-year-old has missed the last 10 days dealing with a groin injury he sustained while running the bases earlier in spring. He came in as a pinch-hitter, but slotted in as the DH and didn't play the field. With two starters -- Jason Kipnis and Michael Brantley -- on the mend with shoulder injuries, Diaz has a real shot to make the Opening Day roster if he impresses the rest of spring,

Carter was scratched from Wednesday's lineup due to an illness, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

He'll be replaced by Greg Bird in the lineup while he works his way back. The slugger isn't helping his bid for playing time, as he is just 4-for-25 (.160) with one homer through 11 games this spring. Consider him day-to-day until the Yankees specify otherwise.

Rodriguez (ankle) was reassigned to minor league camp Wednesday.

The young slugger was experiencing some success in big league camp, but now that he's hobbling on an injured ankle, he'll head back to the minors to rehab and continue developing. Rodriguez crushed 26 home runs at Double-A Akron last season, so he could push for a promotion to Triple-A by the end of the season if he continues to demolish lower-level pitching.

Rodriguez is expected to miss a week with a sprained ankle, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Fortunately, the ankle injury doesn't seem to be particularly serious, as the club expects him to return fairly soon. Through 14 games this spring, Rodriguez has gone 10-for-27 with four RBI and a double.

Parmelee smacked a solo home run in his only at-bat during Monday's 3-1 Cactus League loss to the Reds.

The 29-year-old first baseman has quietly had a decent spring, with Monday's homer bringing his line to .278/.278/.500. A non-roster invitee, Parmelee had an eight-plate appearance big league stint in 2016 with the Yankees in which he smacked a pair of round-trippers, and he owns a .248/.313/.405 career line over 311 major league games.

Gillaspie went 2-for-2 with a pair of homers and three RBI in Sunday's 8-2 Grapefruit League win over the Blue Jays.

The switch-hitting 24-year-old blasted his first two homers of spring, one from either side of the plate. The first shot, which he hit right-handed, cleared the boardwalk in left-center, while the second, launched from the left side, landed over the right-field fence. Gillaspie, who has been focusing on increasing his power from the right side, is slashing .263/.333/.632 with a double, Sunday's pair of homers, six RBI, two walks and four runs over 19 spring at-bats.