MLB Player News

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.

The Angels reassigned Wong to their minor-league camp Monday.

Wong received 66 plate appearances over 32 games with the Angels in 2021, but he won't break camp with the big club this season after re-signing with Los Angeles this offseason on a minor-league deal. The 27-year-old is expected to fill a utility role at Triple-A Salt Lake for the majority of the upcoming season, though his versatility could make him an option for a call-up if the Angels' infield or outfield depth is tested at any point.

Barreto (elbow) will start at second base and bat ninth Monday in the Astros' Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

He'll be making both his spring and Astros debuts after he agreed to a minor-league deal with Houston last week. Once a highly-touted prospect, Barreto's star has dimmed in light of his poor body of work at the big-league level between stops with the Athletics and Angels from 2017 through 2020. He missed the entire 2021 season due to an elbow injury that eventually required Tommy John surgery, but his inclusion in the lineup Monday at a middle-infield position implies that he's back to full health. Barreto is expected to open the season with the Astros' Triple-A affiliate in Sugar Land.

Bannon was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Bannon made eight Grapefruit League appearances this spring and went 4-for-12 with a home run, a double, four runs, four RBI, four walks and four strikeouts. He'll begin the regular season in the minors but will be in consideration to serve as major-league depth if he performs well in Norfolk.

Jones was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Jones was in the mix for a major-league roster spot this spring, and he performed well in Grapefruit League action by going 5-for-14 with three doubles, four runs, an RBI, two walks and five strikeouts across seven appearances. He'll begin the year in the minors but should be in consideration for a call-up at some point in 2022.

Biggio went 1-for-2 with a walk and a solo home run in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.

He took Michael King deep in the third inning, turning around a high fastball and depositing it over the right-field wall for his first homer of the spring. Biggio is coming off a career-worst .356 SLG and .678 OPS in an injury-plagued 2021, so any flash of power is a positive sign, but his hold on the starting second base job for the Blue Jays is a tenuous one.