MLB Player News

Clement has made the Guardians' Opening Day roster, Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Clement secured a reserve role with the major-league club after he hit .455 with two home runs, three doubles, eight RBI, five runs and four strikeouts across 10 Cactus League appearances this spring. He slashed .231/.285/.339 with three homers, 16 runs and nine RBI across 40 games with Cleveland last year.

Barreto was reassigned to minor-league camp Saturday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Barreto joined the Astros on a minor-league deal in late March, and he'll begin the 2022 campaign at Triple-A Sugar Land. Across three appearances this spring, the 26-year-old went 2-for-5 with a home run and two RBI.

Manager Joe Maddon said Saturday that Mayfield has made the Angels' Opening Day roster, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Mayfield has performed relatively well in spring training, slashing .292/.346/.625 with two homers, two doubles, eight RBI, three runs and two walks in 12 Cactus League games. He appeared in 87 games between the Mariners and Angels last year, and he'll be part of a platoon at second base to begin the 2022 campaign.

Altuve plans on stealing more bases this season, Jim Bowden of The Athletic reports.

Players claiming they're about to steal more bases is nearly as common a spring trope as the classic "best shape of my life" line. Altuve's bat hasn't dipped too far from his peak levels, but he's stolen a total of just 13 bases over the last three years, a low number for someone who had six straight seasons with over 30 steals earlier in his career, with a personal best of 56 in 2014. His sprint speed dropped from the 89th percentile in 2020 to the 72nd percentile last year, however, so it's probably unwise to project him for many more than the five bases he stole in 2021.

Gimenez appears to be the leading candidate to win Cleveland's starting shortstop job, but manager Terry Francona said no decision has been made, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Gabriel Arias was sent to the minors and Amed Rosario has started in left field the last three spring training games, which points to Gimenez winning the job. Gimenez is helping his case by hitting .438 (7-for-16) this spring, and he's also seen as the best defender at shortstop. Gimenez had 11 stolen bases last season in 68 games, so he'll add fantasy value with his legs should he win an everyday role.

Castro seems likely to make Detroit's Opening Day roster as a utility player, though Willi Castro has been providing some competition in camp, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Both players can play all over the field, though Harold Castro has been a bit more consistent with the bat the past few years. Last season he slashed .283/.310/.359 across 106 games. The batting average was actually the lowest of his four-year MLB career, which illustrates how good he's been at making consistent contact.

Rengifo was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday.

Rengifo competed for a role in the Angels' middle infield this spring and went 4-for-19 with a triple, a double, three runs, two RBI and three strikeouts across eight Cactus League games. He'll begin the year with the minor-league club but will be one of the top options to fill in as utility depth for the Angels in 2022.

The Rays optioned Brujan to minor-league camp Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Given that he turned in a lowly .154 OPS in 26 plate appearances in his first taste of the big leagues in 2021 before finishing the season at Triple-A Durham, Brujan's demotion comes as little surprise. The toolsy, switch-hitting 24-year-old remains one of the Rays' top prospects and likely doesn't need much further refinement in the minors, but Tampa Bay's wealth of infield and outfield talent may force Brujan to wait a little longer before getting his next trial with the big club. If he's able to take hold of a regular role with Tampa Bay at some point in 2022, Brujan would offer intriguing stolen-base upside, after swiping 44 bags in 52 attempts at Triple-A last season.

Hernandez was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday.

Hernandez was in the mix for the starting job at third base early in spring training, but he'll begin the year in the minors after he went 1-for-11 with a double, two RBI, two stolen bases, two walks and two strikeouts across six Cactus League appearances. He should be one of the top options to fill a depth role if the Rangers' infielders deal with injuries in 2022.

Arroyo started in right field and went 1-for-3 with a walk in Tuesday's spring training game against Pittsburgh.

Following the acquisition of Trevor Story, who will start at the second base, the Red Sox announced plans to expose Arroyo to right field. This marked his third appearance in right and first start. Jackie Bradley is penciled in to play right field and should be in the lineup against right-handed starters, but either Arroyo or J.D. Martinez will man the position against lefties. Arroyo will also fill in at all four infield positions. He's 7-for-17 with one extra-base hit, two walks, one RBI and three runs scored over seven spring games.