MLB Player News

The Indians purchased Diaz's contract from Triple-A Columbus on Sunday.

Diaz was able to parlay a strong spring at the dish into an Opening Day roster spot with the Tribe, and he could even find himself in line for regular starts as he begins his MLB career. With Jason Kipnis (shoulder) opening the season on the DL, manager Terry Francona could opt to have Jose Ramirez move over from third base to second, which would clear the hot corner for Diaz.

According to Jays manager John Gibbons, Tellez could very well be a factor with the big-league club in 2017, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet reports.

The team's No. 2 prospect shined this spring and soaked up helpful tips from the club's veterans. "I learned so much from Justin Smoak on the defensive side. How to field groundballs, how to use my feet," Tellez said. "These guys, I was fortunate enough to be able to talk to them and pick their brains on how they did the things -- not only physically, but mentally." The release of Melvin Upton Jr. inadvertently may help Tellez reach the majors this season. With Upton gone, Ezequiel Carrera and Steve Pearce -- the backup at first base -- will be the primary candidates for left field. Even though Kendrys Morales could play first base, he is better suited for a strict DH role. That means Smoak -- whose performance has been underwhelming for quite some time -- is the only one in Tellez's way. It wouldn't be shocking if the 22-year-old rocks a routine role with the Jays by mid-summer.

Bell, who belted an RBI single Saturday in Montreal, finishes spring training with a .116/.269/.140 line in 15 exhibition games. "I feel ready to go," he told DK Pittsburgh Sports. "It could've come along a lot sooner, but the last week or so, I've gotten the reps I needed to hopefully drive in runs. When I'm on I can hit different pitches to different fields and I feel like I'm there."

He's expected to see the majority of action at first base, but it remains to be seen how patient the Pirates will be if he slumps. There's been talk of shifting Josh Harrison from second base to third, starting Adam Frazier at second and moving David Freese from third base to first on occasion. Of course, if Bell plays the way he did last year, that won't happen often.

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.

Freeman went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run off Michael Pineda in Friday's exhibition game against the Yankees.

It was the first game played in SunTrust Park, the Braves' new home, and while it's way too early to draw any conclusions about how the park will play, it's at least worth noting that Freeman and Greg Bird both launched deep drives to right field while Chris Carter dropped one just over the short wall in left field. If Atlanta's new stadium does prove to be friendly to power hitters, Freeman should have no problem matching or topping last season's career-high 34 homers.

Walker was outrighted to Triple-A Reno on Thursday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Two days after claiming Walker, the Diamondbacks have passed him through waivers and outrighted him off the 40-man roster. He'll spend the year as organizational depth in 2017.

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.

Stassi has earned a spot on the Phillies' Opening Day roster, Jim Salisbury of CSN Philadelphia reports.

Stassi was competing with Jesmuel Valentin and Daniel Nava for the Phillies' final two bench spots. The 27-year-old went 19-for-59 (.339) with six taters and 17 RBI this spring, solidifying himself a spot on the 25-man roster to open the season.

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.

Goldschmidt has gone 9-for-26 (.346 average) with one homer and six RBI during Cactus League play.

Goldschmidt was also able to pick up 13 at-bats in his five appearances for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, so despite the lack of Cactus League appearances, he should be fully geared up for Opening Day. The first baseman's slugging took an unexpected hit in 2016, but even if he fails to notice much of a rebound in homers during the upcoming campaign, he could see his run-producing opportunities increase with the Diamondbacks getting a healthy A.J. Pollock back at the top of the order after Pollock sat out much of last season with a fractured elbow.