MLB Player News

Stefanic was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday.

Stefanic got a modest look in his first taste of MLB action last season, logging 69 plate appearances over 25 games. However, he managed a meager .197/.279/.230 slash line, well off the .314/.422/.425 line he posted at the Triple-A level. Stefanic is an extreme contact hitter but offers little in the way of power or speed, so he doesn't figure to ever be an impactful fantasy asset. The Angels have multiple infielders returning from injury this season and also added Brandon Drury and Gio Urshela in the offseason, so Stefanic faces a difficult path back to the big leagues.

Oritz has been in the concussion protocol over the last few days after he was hit in the head by a batted ball, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Ortiz won't be able to return until he is not experiencing concussion symptoms. The shortstop prospect was added to the Orioles' 40-man roster in November after closing the season with a .320/.383/.534 slash line across 26 games with Triple-A Norfolk. He's likely to see much of his playing time at that level in 2023, though he could earn a midseason call-up to the majors if he plays well.

Semien went 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored in Friday's spring game against the Athletics.

Semien is batting .320 (8-for-25) with six runs scored over nine Cactus League contests. He fell off in all the major hitting categories in 2022, his first year with the Rangers, and he needs to bounce back in 2023 to justify the seven-year, $175 million investment Texas has in him.

Biggio went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Thursday's split-squad game against Atlanta.

Getting the start at second base and hitting second, Biggio turned on an inside pitch from Spencer Strider in the third inning and drove it over the wall in right field. Biggio has gone 8-for-22 with a homer and a steal through eight Grapefruit League appearances, and the 27-year-old could see consistent playing time in a utility role this season for the Blue Jays. With a .213/.320/.353 slash line over the last two seasons, however, his primary fantasy value could lie in his position flex rather than his performance at the plate.

Polanco has yet to play in any Grapefruit League games for the Twins this spring, but that's not due to any health issues, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Polanco missed the final month of last season with a knee injury, so his absence this spring raised some concerns. However, the infielder is healthy and doing back-field work. Polanco will see some Grapefruit League action eventually and is expected to be ready to roll for Opening Day.

Lowe went 2-for-2 with a solo home run Thursday in a Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays.

Lowe is coming off an injury-riddled 2022 season during which he racked up only 266 plate appearances due to a back issue. He's been healthy this spring and has five hits across 15 at-bats, though Thursday's homer was his first extra-base knock. Lowe should be a near everyday player at second base once the regular season begins.

Massey is officially listed as day-to-day with an ankle contusion.

After fouling a ball off his foot during Wednesday's game against the White Sox, Massey easily could have suffered a much worse fate. Luckily, he may only need to miss a day or two, and the 24-year-old infielder should still be able to start Opening Day for the Royals.

Massey left Wednesday's spring training game against the White Sox after fouling a ball off his foot, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Massey appeared to be in a great deal of pain, but luckily, he was able to limp off the field on his own. Currently projected to be the Royals' primary second baseman, the team will perform a further evaluation of Massey's injury, which should provide an idea of whether Massey will be able to start on Opening Day.

Ibanez has been diagnosed with a small tear in his left hand and is hopeful to return to the lineup for Team Cuba in the World Baseball Classic in the coming days, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

In an interview with JIT Deporte Cubano, Ibanez says that he has not suffered a fracture, and that he's doing cold/water/hot water treatment in hopes of getting back in the lineup for Cuba in the WBC. The 29-year-old is in the mix for a backup role with the Tigers, and he should be able to return to Grapefruit League action after the tournament concludes.

Haggerty (lower body soreness) started at third base and went 0-for-2 in Monday's Cactus League loss to the Cubs.

The valued utility asset was making his first Cactus League appearance since Wednesday as a result of lower-body soreness. Haggerty's ability to play the field Monday seems to corroborate a return to normal for the 28-year-old, who also had offseason surgery to repair a Grade 2 adductor strain.