MLB Player News

The Royals optioned Pratto to Triple-A Omaha on Friday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

If decisions were made strictly on spring performance, Pratto would have made the club, as he slashed a robust .421/.476/.816 with four home runs. First base, the corner outfield spots and designated hitter are spoken for with the Royals though, so he'll head back to Omaha where he'll play every day.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said on the YES Network broadcast Friday that Rizzo "didn't seem too concerned" about his lat tightness, Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reports.

The veteran first baseman was a late scratch from Friday's lineup due to the injury. Boone added that Rizzo said it's an issue which pops up on him occasionally, so he just wanted to be cautious in asking out of the lineup. It would appear to be a day-to-day situation that shouldn't affect his Opening Day availability.

Schanuel (back) could play in Saturday's Cactus League game against the A's, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Schanuel was a late scratch Monday due to back tightness but is closing in on his return to game action. The 22-year-old should be ready for Opening Day as long as he can return to the field within the next handful of days.

Flores (knee) is starting at first base and batting third in Friday's split-squad game against the Cubs.

The 32-year-old was scratched from Wednesday's lineup due to knee soreness, but he'll rejoin the starting nine two days later since it was a minor issue. Flores clubbed 23 homers in 126 games last season and should be a regular lineup piece again in 2024, but he'll likely need to move around the infield in order to see consistent playing time.

Rizzo was a late scratch from the Yankees' Grapefruit League lineup Friday due to a tight lat, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

The severity of the injury hasn't yet been made public, but the Yankees should have additional information on Rizzo's status after the game. The veteran first baseman has had a fantastic spring, putting up a 1.189 OPS with two home runs.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that Votto (ankle) will incorporate more baseball activities Friday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The skipper said that Votto remains day-to-day as he recovers from a right ankle injury but is "doing better every day." Votto rolled his ankle during his first Grapefruit League game last weekend when he stepped on a bat in the dugout. The expectation is that he will begin the season in the minors or perhaps in extended spring training.

Cronenworth went 4-for-4 with a triple, a double, two runs and four RBI in Thursday's 15-11 win against the Dodgers in the second game of the Seoul Series.

Cronenworth had a rough season-opener Wednesday, going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts and committing a key error when a batted ball broke through the webbing of his glove. He bounced back with a big performance one day later, reaching in all five plate appearances (in addition to the four knocks, he was also hit by a pitch) and driving in four runs. Cronenworth's four hits tied his career-high mark, which he initially set July 16, 2021 against Washington.

Schanuel (back) will perform some baseball activities Thursday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Schanuel has been unavailable for a few days because of back tightness but is ready to ease back into things. It does not look to be an injury that could threaten his availability for Opening Day as long as he continues to progress. Schanuel is expected to bat second for the Angels this season.

Aranda will begin the season on the injured list after being diagnosed Thursday with a fractured right ring finger, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. He's scheduled to have surgery to insert a pin into his finger and will likely miss 4-to-6 weeks, per Topkin.

Aranda suffered the injury while fielding a grounder Tuesday. The 25-year-old had been slated to open the season as Tampa Bay's primary designated hitter against right-handed pitching, but the injury will likely keep him out for at least all of April. In Aranda's stead, Curtis Mead, Harold Ramirez and Amed Rosario could benefit from some added opportunities against right-handed pitching early on in the season.

The Tigers reassigned Hiura to minor-league camp Thursday.

Hiura recorded three hits in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game to raise his spring average to .323, but it ultimately wasn't enough to survive the latest round of cuts. Perhaps he can opt out of his minor-league deal and pursue another opportunity, though a bench player with his defensive limitations is tough for any team to carry.