MLB Player News

Ibanez was reassigned to minor-league camp by the Tigers on Friday.

Ibanez had seemed like a decent bet to make the team at the start of camp, but a hand injury suffered during WBC play killed that momentum. He'll be used as a utility infielder at Toledo.

Frazier is starting in right field and batting eighth Friday versus the Yankees, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Frazier will make his first start in the outfield for the Orioles after joining the team this offseason. With Ramon Urias (thumb) and Jorge Mateo expected to be regular starters at second base and shortstop, Frazier is likely to make the occasional start in the outfield in order to keep his bat in the lineup. For fantasy purposes, having dual eligibility gives him extra value, especially if he can return to his 2021 form -- a season in which he produced a .305 batting average with 46 extra-base hits, 43 RBI, 83 runs and 10 stolen bases over 155 games with the Pirates and Padres.

Polanco (knee) will begin the 2023 season on the injured list, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

It seemed to be pointing in this direction, but it's now official that Polanco won't be ready for the start of the 2023 season. The 29-year-old missed the final month of 2022 with a knee injury, and his progress stalled in the Grapefruit League. Polanco will miss at least the first few weeks of the season, and he will likely return to a regular role with the club at some point in April.

The Astros announced Altuve underwent right thumb surgery Wednesday in Houston and general manager Dana Brown confirmed the second baseman won't be able to resume baseball activities for two months, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Altuve fractured the thumb after he was hit by a pitch Saturday while playing for Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic. With the infielder likely out through the end of May and possibly the early part of June while he rehabs from surgery, David Hensley and Mauricio Dubon are expected to serve as the Astros' primary options at second base.

Westburg is batting .308 with a home run, four RBI and seven runs scored through 16 Grapefruit League games.

Westburg has also posted a 2:12 BB:K, but his five extra-base hits in 39 at-bats have made him stand out in camp. The 24-year-old split last year between Double-A and Triple-A, posting a combined .261/.353/.491 slash line with 27 home runs, 105 RBI, 95 runs scored and 12 stolen bases across 138 games. Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports that teammates and coaches consider Westburg a consistent player. If he can continue to show that trait at Triple-A this season, he could be in line for his major-league debut some time this summer.

Drury (calf) is back in the Angels' Cactus League lineup Tuesday, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Drury hasn't played since last Friday due to a sore calf as a result of fouling a ball off the area, but he's fine. The 30-year-old is at first base and batting second against the Diamondbacks on Tuesday.

Clement was reassigned to minor-league camp by the Blue Jays on Monday, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.

Clement was signed to a minor-league deal last week, and the former Cleveland and Oakland infielder will provide organizational depth for the Blue Jays; likely at the Triple-A level.

The Mariners reassigned Wong to minor-league camp Monday.

Despite offering multi-position versatility in addition to possessing 39 games' worth of prior MLB experience, Wong never looked to be a serious threat to make the Mariners' Opening Day roster. Wong stole 41 bases in 47 attempts at Triple-A Salt Lake in the Angels organization in 2022, but he otherwise struggled at the dish (.670 OPS over 565 plate appearances) while playing in hitter-friendly parks in the Pacific Coast League. He'll likely head to Triple-A Tacoma to begin his time in the Seattle organization.

Ibanez (finger) started at second base and went 1-for-4 for Cuba in Sunday's World Baseball Classic loss to the United States.

Ibanez sprained his left ring finger during an exhibition game for Cuba and didn't travel to Japan for the first round. He played with Cuba once the team returned to Miami. He'll now return to Detroit's camp and looks to be ready for the regular season.

Astros general manager Dana Brown confirmed Sunday that Altuve has a fractured right thumb and will undergo surgery, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Brown told reporters that the surgery will be done in the coming days as surgeons need some of the swelling to subside before the operation can occur, and that there is no timetable for Altuve's return. The former MVP was hit on his thumb by Daniel Bard during the World Baseball Classic, and imaging has revealed the fracture. Altuve will miss at least all of April while recovering, and he isn't likely to return until the middle of May at the earliest.