MLB Player News

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.

Joseph (hand) is not in the Phillies' Grapefruit League lineup Friday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

The masher still hasn't seen any game action since his left hand was hit by a pitch Tuesday. The Phillies will not rush him back, especially since he has a couple weeks left to sneak in a few at-bats. The 25-year-old is batting .200 but has launched two home runs and driven in six runs over 35 spring at-bats, so Joseph may not need much more work to convince the club he's ready for Opening Day. Of course, prudent fantasy drafters should monitor his performance upon his return.

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.

Joseph (hand) is not in the lineup for Thursday's Grapefruit League game.

Andrew Knapp replaces him at first base, batting sixth. Joseph was plunked on the left hand by a pitch Tuesday and sat out Wednesday. His rest will continue, though it doesn't seem as if he'll miss much time, considering X-rays did not reveal a fracture. The 25-year-old should return to action in the coming days, barring a setback.

Freeman returned to camp with the Braves on Wednesday after playing for Team Canada at the WBC, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

He was immediately plugged back into the lineup Wednesday, going 1-for-3 with a run scored against the Tigers. Freeman is now hitting .474 through 19 spring at-bats and, with an improving lineup around him, should take a run at his second career 100-RBI campaign in 2017.

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.

Joseph (hand) is still experiencing soreness and will not play in Wednesday's Grapefruit League matchup with the Yankees, Meghan Montemurro of The News Journal reports.

Montemurro also added that Joseph tried to take some swings Wednesday but came away with his hand feeling uncomfortable. Consider the 26-year-old day-to-day until he proves he can swing a bat again.

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.