MLB Player News

Albies got the start at second base and hit leadoff in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros, going 1-for-2 with a walk and his first stolen base of the spring.

His late start to the exhibition schedule while he recovered from last season's broken elbow hasn't phased him at all, as Albies is hitting .364 with a .533 OBP in 11 at-bats, walking three times without striking out, and Friday's hit came off 2015 AL Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel. Albies just turned 20 in January and will begin the season with Triple-A Gwinnett, but given his talent and advanced feel for hitting, don't expect him to end it there.

Bostick was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, Stephen Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The 23-year-old was acquired from the Phillies last year after he was designated for assignment. He's hitting well in spring, slashing .304/.467/.478 in 23 at-bats so far, but the Pirates are too deep at second base for Bostick to threaten the lineup, so he'll likely spend the year at Triple-A.

Young was reassigned to minor league camp Friday, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Young has continued to impress with his bat this spring, slashing .364/.391/.500 in 30 at-bats so far, but with the likes of Addison Russell and Javier Baez blocking him at the major league level, it seems he'll likely spend the year at Triple-A Iowa.

Herrera (shoulder) will be sent to the Reds' minor league camp, C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The move signals that the second baseman is still unable to throw and will continue to be limited to a DH role moving forward. Pitchers begin seeing at-bats this coming weekend, so he would likely see more playing opportunities at a lower level. Despite the early setback, look for Herrera to be in the running for major league action at some point later this season.

Manager Dave Roberts said that Hernandez's participation in the World Baseball Classic will not affect his chances to make the Dodgers Opening Day roster, MLB.com's Ken Gurnick reports.

Hernandez left Dodgers camp last week to join Team Puerto Rico in the 2017 WBC. His time away may actually help his case to make the roster after he went 3-for-4 with a run scored and two RBI in Sunday's win over Team Italy. Hernandez is currently competing for one of the Dodgers final utility spots. His ability to play both the infield and the outfield makes him a favorite to make the club.

Frazier went 4-for-4 and played center field Monday against the Braves.

He's having a great spring, batting .462 in 26 at-bats. While Frazier doesn't hold a starter's job, he's expected to bounce around the infield and outfield as an often-used utility player. Pittsburgh also added fellow utilityman Phil Gosselin just prior to spring training, which could impact Frazier's playing time, but Frazier figures to see more reps as a left-handed bat.

Rosario was optioned to minor-league camp Tuesday.

Rosario had a strong spring at the dish for the Mets, but the 21-year-old is still in need of further refinement in the minors, so he wasn't under consideration for an Opening Day roster spot. However, if David Wright's rehab from a shoulder injury ends up lingering through much of the season and Rosario rakes at the Triple-A level like he did with Double-A Binghamton in 2016, the young infielder could be in line for his first taste of the big leagues at some point in the summer.

Joseph was returned to the Nationals minor league camp Monday, The Washington Post reports.

The former Oriole farmhand will likely spend the whole season at Triple-A Syracuse as Joseph provides some veteran organizational depth. Without a spot on the 40-man roster, though, he's unlikely to see any time with the Nats, even if injuries hit the team's infield.

Alvarez was optioned to High-A Palm Beach on Monday, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

Alvarez is being sent back to High-A, as the 22-year-old was never really competing for a roster spot; rather, he was added to the 40-man to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. He'll enter High-A for the first time in 2017 after slashing .323/.404/.476 with 36 steals at Peoria in 2016.

Adames was practicing at first base Monday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

The switch-hitting utility man seems to be pretty low in the pecking order compared to Mark Reynolds, Jordan Patterson and Stephen Cardullo, but this development could add some value to his game as he attempts to win a reserve super-utility job out of spring training. Alexi Amarista also seems to have that market cornered, but given Adames' outstanding Cactus League showing thus far (1.010 OPS, two home runs in 27 plate appearances), he could force the Rockies to open up a spot for him.