MLB Player News

Chavis failed to control the strike zone throughout spring training, which was a factor in the Red Sox sending him to the alternate camp, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Chavis lost out on the final roster spot to Christian Arroyo. Having minor-league options while Arroyo did not likely factored into the decision, but Red Sox manager Alex Cora spoke to Chavis chasing pitches. "We talk about a few things that he needs to do to be the complete hitter we know he can be. I think at the end, he didn't control the strike zone. He was very aggressive chasing pitches out of the zone," Cora said. Chavis had a 1.129 OPS over the first 18 spring games, but the infielder went just 2-for-17 with eight strikeouts over the final seven contests. He'll start the season at Triple-A Worcester and work on understanding the upper edge of the strike zone and driving pitches in the zone.

Mendick was optioned to the White Sox's alternate training site Tuesday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Mendick seemed to have a shot to break camp as a bench infielder, but the signing of Jake Lamb may have bumped him off the roster. He'll likely be one of the first names called up when the team needs an extra infielder, but the White Sox would have to suffer a few key injuries for him to see regular playing time.

Arroyo secured a spot Tuesday on Boston's Opening Day roster, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

Arroyo won the battle for the remaining reserve infield job over Michael Chavis, who was optioned to the Red Sox's alternate site Tuesday. Marwin Gonzalez will likely be first in line to enter the starting nine should a regular infielder go down with an injury, so Arroyo doesn't appear set to earn much playing time early on during the season.

The Red Sox optioned Chavis to their alternate site Tuesday.

Chavis impressed at the plate this spring with an .892 OPS, but the fact that he had two minor-league options remaining likely worked against him in his bid for the Opening Day roster. With the likes of Enrique Hernandez, Marwin Gonzalez and Christian Arroyo all offering the ability to play multiple positions, Chavis' defensive versatility was also less valuable to Boston than it might have been to another club.

Mathias will not need surgery on his strained shoulder, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Even without surgery, Mathias will miss an extended period, as he's been placed on the 60-day injured list. He'll remain at the Brewers' spring training facility for rehab work. His exact return timeline isn't clear.

Lux went 2-for-3 with his first home run of the spring Sunday in the Dodgers' 6-5 Cactus League loss to the Angels.

Lux's home run came off southpaw Andrew Heaney, a welcome sign for a player who has thus far recorded just one hit over 23 career regular-season plate appearances against left-handed pitchers. With an .894 OPS this spring, Lux appears on track to break camp with the big club this season after the Dodgers chose to leave him at the alternate training site coming out of summer camp in 2020. While Lux's well-rounded offensive skill set gives him a high fantasy ceiling, the presence of Chris Taylor may make it difficult for the youngster to begin the season as anything more than part-time player. The two have typically alternated starts at the keystone throughout the spring, with both typically batting in the bottom third of the Los Angeles lineup.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton said Frazier will serve as the team's leadoff hitter in Thursday's regular-season opener against the Cubs, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Frazier has ignited a surprisingly potent Pirates offense this spring, posting a monstrous 1.510 OPS over 39 at-bats. The small sample shouldn't supersede the .749 OPS he's posted over parts of five seasons in the majors, but Frazier's spring surge could at least give fantasy managers reason to hope that the 29-year-old may have more power upside than anticipated. Frazier hasn't merely lived off an elevated BABIP this spring, as 10 of his 21 hits entering play Monday have gone for extra bases.

Diaz will get reps at third base at the Marlins' alternate training site, Jordan McPherson of The Miami Herald reports.

The 24-year-old's quickest path back to the majors could be in a utility role after he lost out on the starting job at the keystone to Jazz Chisholm this spring. First though, Diaz will need to find his swing after posting a .385 OPS in 42 plate appearances during Grapefruit League play and a .545 OPS through his first 56 big-league games.

Marte (illness) is back in the lineup Monday against the Cubs, leading off and playing center field, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Marte was scratched Sunday with a non-COVID illness, but it was evidently a minor issue. There's little reason to fear for his readiness for Opening Day.

Lopez was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Sunday.

Lopez appeared to be the favorite to start at second base to begin camp, but he struggled during spring training and will begin the season at Triple-A Omaha as a result. The 26-year-old hit just .118 with one double, four RBI and 13 strikeouts in 16 Cactus League games. Whit Merrifield could now shift to second base to begin the year with Jarrod Dyson potentially starting in center field.