MLB Player News

Chavis went 1-for-2 with a three-run home run and a walk in Wednesday's loss to the Orioles.

Wednesday's towering shot to left field marked Chavis' third homer through four games this spring. The 23-year-old has also racked up nine RBI in the process. While he's expected to open the season at Triple-A Pawtucket, Chavis is showing why he's widely regarded as the team's top prospect.

Beckham was 2-for-3 with a double, a run and two RBI in Tuesday's spring win against the Mets.

Beckham joined the Tigers as a non-roster invitee this offseason and is fighting to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster. The 32-year-old has gotten off to a strong start in spring training, as he is 4-for-7 with a double, two runs, two RBI and a pair of walks through four games.

Arroyo went 1-for-1 with a solo homer in Tuesday's win over the Orioles.

Arroyo went deep in his only at-bat Tuesday, jumping on a first-pitch offering from Jay Flaa during the Rays' 10-run eighth inning. The 23-year-old is off to a fine start to spring, going 2-for-3 with a homer, though he's currently on the outside looking in at an Opening Day roster spot.

Forsythe signed a minor-league contract with the Rangers on Tuesday that includes an invitation to spring training.

The veteran second baseman posted above-average batting lines with the Rays in 2015 and 2016 but has seen his production tail off as he hit the wrong side of 30. He hit just .232/.313/.291 with two homers for the Dodgers and Twins last season. The Rangers' roster isn't a particularly tough one to break into, but Forsythe will have to look like he can bounce back in camp, as the team won't have much interest in an underperforming veteran in a rebuilding season.

Altuve made his spring debut Monday, going 0-for-2 against the Mets.

Altuve, who had offseason knee surgery, served as the designated hitter and was pleased with his at-bats, one of which came against New York ace Noah Syndergaard. "I felt like myself," Altuve told Alyson Footer of MLB.com. "It's spring training, of course, I'm trying to get my timing back, and working really hard being 100 percent for the first game of the season. I really liked my at-bats and how I felt today." There's no word yet on when Altuve will play the field.

Barreto played five innings in left field Saturday, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

Jurickson Profar was brought in via trade to replace Jed Lowrie at second base, leaving Barreto to compete for a utility role this spring. Barreto is looking to prove himself in the outfield to increase his chances at an Opening Day roster spot. His only other experience in the outfield came during winter ball. Manager Bob Melvin sounded pleased with what he saw Saturday, saying, "after the first ball he looked really good out there."

Chavis went 2-for-3 with a three-run, opposite-field home run in Saturday's game against the Yankees.

Chavis started at third base Saturday after playing three innings at second base Friday against Northeastern University. It's been a slow journey for Chavis, a first-round draft pick in 2014, but his bat really picked up the last two seasons. That's put him atop Boston's list of prospects entering 2019. "Since Day 1 (this spring) you can see the mechanics, and he has a pretty good idea what he wants to do at the plate," Alex Cora told Tom Keegan of the Boston Herald. "Very smart, too. Takes notes and all that stuff. He understands what he wants to do. That's a pretty good sign right there." The Red Sox are having him play multiple infield positions, which will improve the 23-year-old's chances of reaching the majors in 2019. He's expected to start the year at Triple-A Pawtucket, while guys like Brock Holt and Eduardo Nunez are in line to be the utility infielders at the major-league level.

Altuve will make his spring training debut Monday against the Mets, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Altuve, who is coming back from offseason knee surgery, has not been limited since reporting to camp earlier this month. The plan calls for him to be the designated hitter Monday, per manager A.J. Hinch, who gradually will introduce his core regulars to game action during spring training.

Chavis played three innings at second base in Friday's exhibition against Northeastern University, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Chavis has made the infield circuit since being drafted in the first round of the 2014 draft. He initially played shortstop, then moved to third base before playing first base during winter ball this offseason. His three innings at second base Friday represented his first exposure to the position as a professional and it showed, as he failed to cover second base on a stolen base and made a throwing error. He also turned a 4-6-3 double play, an encouraging sign in this experiment. "It's good for him to go out there and get a few innings," manager Alex Cora said. "No pressure, no expectations. Just to get his feet wet." Chavis will play all over the infield during the spring, including a start at third base Saturday when Boston kicks off its spring training schedule against the Yankees.

Barreto's visa issues are settled and he is in camp Saturday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Barreto was expected to be delayed for a few more days by the same visa issues which have affected many other Venezuelan players, but the problem evidently got sorted out fairly quickly. He's ready to go for the team's first full-squad workout and shouldn't be meaningfully set back in his preseason preparation.