MLB Player News

Edwards has been diagnosed with a shoulder impingement, but the Rays hope he can return to the field by late April, Sam Dykstra of MLB Pipeline reports.

Edwards suffered the injury in early March, which kept him out of game action for all of spring training. His absence will now extend into the minor-league regular season, though the team plans for him to return to the lineup with Triple-A Durham in the next few weeks. Edwards is a strong prospect based on an above-average hit tool and excellent speed, but he is blocked by the likes of Wander Franco and Brandon Lowe at the big-league level.

Merrifield and the Royals agreed to a restructured contract Wednesday, which includes the team exercising his $6.75 million club option for 2023 while adding an $18 million mutual option for 2024, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Merrifield hasn't missed a game of the past three seasons and is now officially locked in with Kansas City through the 2023 campaign. The 33-year-old had a .277/.317/.395 slash line with 10 home runs, 97 runs, 74 RBI and 40 stolen bases last year and is poised to operate as the Royals' primary right fielder in 2022.

Andrus, who underwent a pair of surgeries for a fractured fibula this offseason, finished Cactus League play with a .281 average (9-for-32), two doubles, a triple, a home run and four RBI.

The veteran shortstop was able to get a good tune-up in for the regular season and build confidence in his surgically repaired leg in the process. Andrus is particularly trending in the right direction at the plate as Opening Day approaches, as he finished Cactus League play with a four-game hitting streak after a slow start.

Acuna is expected to open 2022 at High-A Hickory, according to Baseball America.

He got off to a terrible start last season, so his final batting line (.266/.345/.404) at Low-A doesn't jump off the page. That said, Acuna was only 19, and he ended up hitting 12 homers and swiping 44 bases, with his 10.4 percent walk rate offering some promise as well. He'll likely never develop the power that his brother, Ronald, has shown off in the majors, but Luisangel is flashing plenty of promise in his own right. It's not unreasonable to think that a big 2022 could get him on the radar for a promotion sometime in 2023.

Arraez (illness) will start at third base and bat cleanup in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox.

Arraez was scratched ahead of Monday's game against the Red Sox due to allergies, but he's feeling healthy enough to play in the rematch with Boston in Minnesota's spring finale. Tuesday's lineup looks to be a preview of what the Twins will roll out Opening Day against the Mariners on Thursday, so Arraez looks like he'll begin the season in a prominent spot in the batting order.

Ibanez went 2-for-3 with two solo home runs in Monday's spring training game against the Padres.

Ibanez has hit in four straight games and is slashing .357/.424/1.138 over 30 plate appearances. When spring training started, the third base job was his to lose, so it's safe to say Ibanez will man the hot corner come Opening Day on Friday in Toronto. The Rangers used him everywhere in the batting order, but lately he's found himself in the lower-third.

The White Sox optioned Gonzalez to Triple-A Charlotte on Monday.

Gonzalez's demotion likely paves the way for Danny Mendick to break camp with the White Sox as a utility infielder. The 25-year-old Gonzalez should play on an everyday basis at Charlotte, but after producing a 1.121 OPS in his 15 games with the affiliate in 2021, he may have little left to prove in the minors at this stage.

Espinal got the start at second base and hit ninth in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees, going 1-for-2 with a walk, a double and a run scored.

The 27-year-old hit a surprising .311 with two homers and six steals over 222 at-bats last year, and Espinal heads into Opening Day as the Blue Jays' top infield utility player. Cavan Biggio is hardly a lock to keep the starting second base job, however, and if his 2021 struggles continue, Espinal could once again get more playing time than expected.

Arraez was scratched from the lineup for Monday's game against Boston due to allergies, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Arraez was due to play first base, a position he's gotten a bit of experience at this spring in an effort to further expand his defensive versatility. His absence Monday is unlikely to significantly impact his readiness for the upcoming season.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch confirmed Sunday that Castro has secured a spot on the Opening Day roster, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Castro is expected to see most of his work this season as a backup infielder, though his experience at all three outfield spots gives him an added layer of versatility. When given regular playing time, Castro has shown the ability to hit for contact at a high rate (.291 lifetime average, 22.2 percent strikeout rate), but a lack of power and speed limits his fantasy intrigue.