MLB Player News

Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said Tuesday that Ngoepe secured a spot on the team's Opening Day roster, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The Blue Jays haven't announced as much, but Ngoepe's inclusion on the team likely means that Danny Espinosa will be reassigned to minor-league camp, if not released. Ngoepe, who debuted last season with the Pirates and appeared in 28 games, is regarded as a glove-first utility man, so he wouldn't attract much interest in the fantasy realm if he ends up falling into semi-regular at-bats at any point.

Barreto was optioned back to Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday, Julian McWilliams of The Athletic reports.

Though Barreto was making a strong push to be included on the Athletics' 25-man roster, the club decided to send its top-tier prospect back to Nashville since there isn't a clear-cut position for him in the majors at the moment. The infielder was able to leave quite the impression on manager Bob Melvin, and remains a prime candidate for a call-up in the not-too-distant future. Over 25 games with Oakland in 2017, Barreto hit .197/.250/.352 with two home runs and six RBI during his first cup of coffee in the major leagues.

Semien may split leadoff duties with Matt Joyce this season, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

Semien was expected to handle the role of leadoff hitter for the 2018 season, but manager Bob Melvin indicated he likes Matt Joyce at the top of the order against right-handed starters and Semien for left-handers. The A's starting shortstop struggled against southpaws in 2017 with a .224/.303/.367 slash line in 109 plate appearances, although he missed nearly half the season with a wrist injury and his career numbers (.275/.323/.468) may more accurately reflect his expected splits.

Beckham has signed a minor-league contract to return to the Mariners, Chris Cotillo of SB Nation reports Monday.

Beckham was released by the Mariners last week, but has opted not to test the free-agent market and instead will remain in the organization. The 31-year-old mustered just a .262/.313/.393 slash line for Triple-A Tacoma last year and will serve as veteran organizational depth capable of playing multiple infield positions.

Semien, who went 0-for-3 in Sunday's 5-1 Bay Bridge Series exhibition loss to the Giants, is expected to provide a unique mix of power and speed out of the leadoff spot in 2018, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

The versatile shortstop has made a case for a potentially explosive 2018 this spring with a .309 average, a pair of doubles, one home run and four RBI. Now fully recovered from the wrist surgery that cost him 74 games last season, Semien will look to up his OBP for a third straight campaign and put a dent in his 22 percent strikeout rate while serving as both table-setter and long-ball supplier at the top of the Athletics' lineup.

Solarte has gone 10-for-48 (.208 average) with a home run and five RBI across 17 Grapefruit League games.

Due to his ability to play all over the infield in addition to starting shortstop Troy Tulowitzki's (heel) expected absence for at least the first few weeks of the season, Solarte should be in store for at least semi-regular at-bats to kick off his first campaign in Toronto. However, Solarte's poor spring may result in Aledmys Diaz garnering the Opening Day nod at shortstop, as Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com projects. Diaz has only been marginally better than Solarte at the plate during Grapefruit League action, so it could be a case where manager John Gibbons rotates both players in at shortstop at the start of the season before ultimately settling on the hotter bat of the two.

Drury (elbow) said that he expects to play in the Yankees' Grapefruit League game Monday against the Braves, Coley Harvey of ESPN.com reports.

Drury went through full baseball activities Sunday without any complications, so it appears his left elbow injury is no longer much of a concern. The 25-year-old has been held out of Grapefruit League action since getting hit by a pitch Friday against the Red Sox, but manager Aaron Boone suggested Drury would have been able to play Sunday if necessary. Following two days off to rest, Drury should get a full slate of at-bats Monday as he prepares for a full-time role at third base this season.

Andrus finished the Cactus League with a .412 batting average, .676 slugging percentage and 1.124 OPS over 34 at-bats.

Andrus had career highs in homers (20), doubles (44) and slugging (.471) in 2017 while posting his first 20-20 season. That surge continued this spring. Five of his 14 spring hits went for extra bases, including two home runs, suggesting last season's power spike was no fluke. The 29-year-old shortstop is smack-dab in the middle of prime years and is a threat to repeat in 2018.

Kemp was optioned to Triple-A Fresno on Saturday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Kemp came up short in his bid for an Opening Day roster spot, as the Astros decided to go with fellow youngster Derek Fisher as their fourth outfielder instead. While the 26-year-old has impressed at Triple-A, hitting a combined .309/.368/.423 across three seasons there, there simply isn't room for him at the major-league level on the talent-rich Astros at this point. It would likely take a trade or injuries for him to see significant playing time with the big club in 2018.

Drury's X-rays on his left elbow didn't show any damage, Marc Carig of The Athletic reports.

The Yankees are officially listing Drury as day-to-day with an elbow contusion, but are hopeful that he won't miss an extended period of time. It remains to be seen whether the infielder will compete in any more games this spring, but he should be near full health for Opening Day against the Blue Jays on Thursday.