MLB Player News

With Bradley Zimmer and Oscar Mercado failing to make the major league roster, Rosario will compete with Ben Gamel for the staring center field role, MLB.com reports. "The plan is to put him out there," manager Terry Francona said. "Whether it's Opening Day -- I don't know, I have to work through that a little bit. I want to try to put him in the best position to succeed."

It sounds like Cleveland is set to give Rosario regular duty in center field as soon as he proves he can handle the position defensively after some shaky moments this spring. Gamel may begin the year as the starter, but the role could be in flux throughout the season.

Hoerner was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Hoerner appeared in 48 games in 2020 and appeared to be on track to make the Cubs' Opening Day roster, but he'll be sent to the minors to begin the regular season. The 23-year-old slashed .353/.405/.647 with six extra-base hits, five RBI and three stolen bases over 13 Cactus League games this spring. Hoerner should be back with the major-league club at some point in 2021, but David Bote and Eric Sogard will split time at second base early in the year.

Jones was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Friday, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Jones was traded from the Angels to the Orioles at the beginning of February and appeared in 17 spring games, but he'll begin the season in the minors. The 23-year-old hit .143 with one home run and four RBI this spring and has appeared in just three major-league games during his career.

Peguero went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI against Baltimore on Thursday.

He got the start even though he's already been reassigned to minor-league camp. The 20-year-old shortstop has three hits in nine spring at-bats and is showing the promise that led Pittsburgh to trade for him in the Starling Marte deal.

Gorman was reassigned to the minor-league camp Thursday.

Gorman got a lot of run in Grapefruit League action as he expanded his defensive versatility by gaining experience at second base. He didn't hit particularly well in 24 plate appearances, posting a .174/.208/.261 line. However, he'll continue to refine his game in the minors and is likely to begin the season at Double-A Springfield.

Biggio (finger) returned to game action Thursday, but he remains sore, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Biggio took a groundball off his finger Monday, which didn't cause a major injury. However, he disclosed that it caused a blood blister and that he remains sore. The issue doesn't appear likely to cost him game time in the regular season.

Arauz was optioned to Boston's minor-league camp Thursday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Arauz made his big-league debut in 2020, but he faced an uphill battle to start the 2021 campaign with the team after the signings of Enrique Hernandez and Marwin Gonzalez. Given his ability to play both second and third base, Arauz is likely to help fill in if any injuries hit the team's infield during the season.

Castro is still in the mix for an Opening Day roster spot, as the Tigers may carry him and Niko Goodrum as utility players, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

The Tigers optioned Isaac Paredes to the minors Thursday and informed Greg Garcia he won't make the team, and both moves improve Castro's chances of earning a bench role. Conventional wisdom around camp has been that Paredes and Renato Nunez were battling for one role, so it's unclear how Castro fits into the mix after Thursday's cutdown.

Biggio (finger) is starting Thursday's spring game against the Tigers.

Biggio was scratched from Wednesday's lineup with right finger discomfort, but he underwent X-rays that revealed no fracture. As a result, he'll be back in action just one day later, and it's unlikely that the issue will impact his availability for Opening Day.

Altuve is the favorite to be the Astros' leadoff man this season, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Myles Straw and Carlos Correa had been previously mentioned as potential leadoff hitters, but Altuve has been filling the role in recent games and received an endorsement from manager Dusty Baker on Tuesday. Exactly what the 30-year-old has left in the tank is unclear, as his slash line cratered to .219/.286/.344 in in the regular season last year, though he went on to hit .375/.500/.729 in 13 playoff games. He may not run as much as he used to, but it's certainly possible he bounces most of the way back at the plate and returns to being one of the league's premier contact hitters.