MLB Player News

Barreto will travel with the Athletics for the season-opening series against the Mariners in Japan, Martin Gallegos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Barreto is starting at second base in Sunday's split-squad game against the White Sox, but his transition to the outfield this spring is what's drawn heavy praise from manager Bob Melvin. The 23-year-old has been impressive at the plate as well as he is 11-for-29 (.379) with four doubles and a home run through 12 games. Barreto was a likely candidate to begin the season at Triple-A Las Vegas, but his performance this spring and increased versatility appear to have him on track to crack the Opening Day roster.

Urias (hamstrings) is starting at shortstop and batting second in Sunday's spring game against the Royals, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Urias has been sidelined since last Tuesday due to general fatigue in both hamstrings, but his return ahead of Monday's off-day confirms the issue was minor. The 21-year-old battled hamstring issues throughout the offseason as well but should be ready to go for Opening Day, barring additional injury.

Altuve (side) visited the team physician Sunday and is expected to see game action later this week, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

The Astros have not expressed much concern over the issue, and Altuve's diagnosis Sunday appears to concur with that sentiment. The 28-year-old was originally expected to return to game action this weekend, but it's not surprising to see the team exhibit additional caution with the All-Star second baseman at this point in spring training.

Altuve (side) is not in the lineup for Sunday's spring game against the Nationals.

Altuve was scratched from Saturday's lineup because of his injury, and the issue will sideline him at least one more day. The Astros aren't expressing concern about Altuve's status for Opening Day, but they figure to continue taking it easy with him to ensure he will be in the lineup when the regular season kicks off.

Rosario (hand) is in the lineup for Sunday's spring game against the Cardinals, Anthony Rieber of Newsday reports.

Rosario was expected to return to action Sunday after missing nearly a week's worth of games because of his injury, and it turns out he will do just that. Rosario will play shortstop and hit ninth in Sunday's contest.

Hernandez went 2-for-3 with two solo home runs in Saturday's spring win over the Mariners.

Hernandez produced the lone offense of the day out of the leadoff spot for the Dodgers. The 27-year-old is hitting the ball well thus far in spring training, as he is 10-for-23 (.435) with three doubles, two home runs and eight RBI.

Lowe went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and three RBI in Saturday's spring game against the Orioles.

Lowe is making quite the impression this spring as he is 12-for-26 (.462) with two home runs, five doubles and 11 RBI in nine games. The 24-year-old is battling for a reserve outfield spot after slashing .233/.324/.450 in 43 major-league games in 2018.

The Rays optioned Arroyo to their minor-league camp Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Arroyo's demotion from big-league camp comes as a surprise with Matt Duffy (hamstring) uncertain to be ready for Opening Day. The Rays' decision to send Arroyo down may speak to how far he's fallen in the organizational pecking order after he failed to make much of an offensive impact in the majors or at Triple-A Durham during an injury-plagued 2018 campaign. Along with Duffy, Willy Adames, Daniel Robertson, Joey Wendle and Yandy Diaz all look like higher-priority option for the Rays on the left side of the infield.

Rosario (hand) is expected to be in the lineup Sunday against St. Louis, Matt Ehalt of The Bergen Record reports.

Rosario was struck in the hand by a pitch Monday against the Rays. X-rays were negative, but he was nevertheless held out of game action for five days. Assuming he suffers no setbacks in his return, he should have plenty of time to get up to speed by Opening Day.

Dubon practiced Saturday for the first time since being hospitalized in late February for an intestinal illness, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Dubon remains a few days away from getting game action, though manager Craig Counsell has been optimistic that he'll be good to go by the start of the Triple-A season. He played just 27 games at that level last season he was being shut down with a torn ACL, but a run of games with good health could put him in position for a callup later in the season in the event of an injury on the big-league club.