MLB Player News

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.

Walker was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday.

The 25-year-old was a long shot to make the 25-man roster after being claimed off waivers by the Reds earlier in March, and he didn't do much at the plate to help himself this spring, slashing just .189/.231/.351 in 37 at-bats. Walker will now head to Louisville, where he'll serve as organizational depth in 2017.

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.

Joseph (hand) came off the bench Sunday and hit a double in his only at-bat.

Joseph had not played in four days after being hit in the left hand by a pitch. He is expected to rejoin the starting lineup Tuesday, as the Phillies are off Monday.

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.

Joseph (hand) is not listed in Saturday's or Sunday's lineups, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Joseph said he is available to play Saturday, but it looks like the Phillies intend to hold him out of action until Tuesday with an off day this Monday. The young slugger was able to practice and hit in the cage Saturday. He has been sidelined since last Tuesday due to bruising on his hand after being hit by a pitch.

Bour went 2-for-3 with a walk and a double in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals.

He's had a fairly quiet spring so far, posting a .243/.333/.432 line in 37 at-bats that's not too far off his production through the first 258 games of his big league career. The Marlins aren't exactly flush with hitting prospects, so Bour has plenty of job security at first base in Miami, but the 28-year-old will need to learn to start hitting left-handed pitching if he's going to establish himself as a long-term answer for the club.