MLB Player News

Abreu (hamstring) started at first base, played three innings and went 1-for-2 in Sunday's Cactus League finale.

Abreu sustained an injury to his right hamstring last Tuesday, which was considered a mild strain, but the White Sox held him out since then as a precaution. The first baseman and middle-of-the-order bat should be ready to go for Thursday's opener against the Royals in Kansas City.

Astros manager A.J. Hinch said Sunday that there is "potential" that Gurriel (hand) will avoid a stint on the disabled list to begin the season, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Hinch's comments came after Gurriel took batting practice against a high-velocity machine Sunday, with the first baseman showing no ill effects from the left hand surgery he required four weeks earlier. Gurriel displayed good driving power during the session and indicated he continues to feel better with each passing day, creating hope that a multi-week absence may not be in store. While the Astros will head back to Texas following Sunday's Grapefruit League finale, Gurriel will remain in Florida and participate in minor-league or simulated games at some point this week. The Astros may wait and see how Gurriel responds to that activity before determining whether or not a DL stint is necessary, but regardless of the team's decision, the first baseman will still have to serve a five-game suspension stemming from the inappropriate gesture he made toward Yu Darvish in the World Series last fall.

Cooper was informed Sunday that he's made the Marlins' Opening Day roster, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

Cooper is in the midst of a productive first spring camp with the Marlins, going 15-for-52 with three home runs. He'll likely serve as a pinch-hitting option most of the time, but the 27-year-old can also take the field at first base and both corner-outfield spots.

Dixon was reassigned to minor-league camp Sunday.

Dixon will unfortunately miss out on an Opening Day roster spot despite putting together a strong spring camp in which he went 14-for-43 with four home runs and four stolen bases. He'll begin the year at Triple-A Louisville with the hope of playing his way back to the majors.

Blandino was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Sunday.

Blandino -- who went 12-for-37 (.324) this spring -- did his best to work his way onto the Opening Day roster in a utility role, but the Reds ultimately decided it was best for the 25-year-old to begin the season in the minor leagues. His demotion to Triple-A likely means Phil Gosselin will crack the 25-man roster in a bench capacity. An inseason injury to one of the Reds' regulars could provide Blandino an opportunity to make his way back to the majors.

Cabrera (mouth) will start at second base and bat fifth in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Cabrera was unavailable for two days earlier last week following a dental procedure, but he's in fine condition now after logging nine at-bats in two games over the past three days. DiComo notes that the Mets' lineup for the Grapefruit League finale is a good approximation of what the club will roll with Opening Day against the Cardinals on March 29, so look for Cabrera to regularly slot in fifth in the order in the early part of the season.

Cron, who's hitting .298 with three home runs and 11 RBI in 50 spring plate appearances, will log many of his starts against left-handed pitching this season, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports. "Yeah, it's going to be a lot of left-right," Cash said. "But saying that, we know that we really value getting C.J. in there a lot. We will have plenty of opportunities where C.J. will play against some righties. Brad [Miller] is going to play, obviously, against righties."

Manager Kevin Cash has a potentially good problem brewing at first base, as both Cron and Miller have proven to be above-average hitters at different points in their respective careers. Notably, both are coming off career-low batting averages in 2017, and Miller still appears to be stuck in a bit of a funk (.222 spring average over 19 plate appearances). The schedule works out well early with respect to projected playing time for Cron, as the Rays are slated to face several southpaws through the first two series. Ultimately, the workload split likely projects as somewhat of a fluid situation in the coming season, with the designated hitter role also an option for getting both players into the lineup simultaneously.

Cooper went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals.

There may not be room on the 25-man roster for Cooper, but the 27-year-old hasn't hurt his chances with his performance at the plate this spring, slashing .294/.321/.510 with three homers in 22 games. If he does break camp with the big club, Cooper would primarily serve as a pinch hitter while seeing occasional action in the field at first base and at the outfield corners. He had a big 2017 at Triple-A Colorado Springs in the Rockies' system, but he has yet to prove he can produce either in the majors or at a lower altitude.

Gurriel (hand) took live batting practice Friday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Gurriel is working his way back from late-February surgery to remove the hook of the hamate bone in his left hand. Original reports said that he should be back in five or six weeks, which would make him ready to play in mid-April -- though he's also set to miss five games due to a suspension. Manager A.J. Hinch now says that it's unknown whether or not Gurriel will begin the season on the disabled list, and that a decision may not come until the day before the season starts. There haven't been any reports that the 33-year-old is ahead of schedule, though, so the decision appears likely to be made in favor of a trip to the DL.

Joseph was optioned to Double-A Frisco on Friday, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

Joseph was recently claimed off waivers by the Rangers on Monday and will head to the minors in order to get some regular at-bats. The 26-year-old appeared in 142 games for Philadelphia last season, hitting .240 with 22 home runs and 69 RBI. With Joey Gallo set to man first base, Joseph is unlikely to see regular time in 2018 but should be ready to return to the majors in the near future.