MLB Player News

The Yankees have purchased the contract of infielder Gregorio Petit from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

The Yankees acquired Petit from the Astros during the last week of camp. He hit .310/.375/.414 in 29 at-bats with the Astros this spring. Petit is expected to fill the utility-infielder role whil Brendan Ryan is sidelined.

The Dodgers have decided to option outfielders Chris Heisey, Enrique Hernandez, pitchers Adam Liberatore, Sergio Santos, David Aardsma and David Huff to their minor league teams, according to MLB.com.

Liberatore did not allow a run in 10 1/3 innings of work this spring with nine strikeouts and three walks. Aardsma posted a 2.00 ERA with nine strikeouts in nine appearances this spring.

Johnny Giavotella was awarded the starting second base job after the Angels optioned infielders Grant Green and Josh Rutledge down to Triple-A Salt Lake following Friday's exhibition game against the Dodgers, according to the Orange County Register.

Giavotella hit .315 (17 for 54) with one home run and seven RBI in 25 spring training games. He has slashed .238/.277/.334 over 437 big-league at-bats.

Rays manager Kevin Cash told reporters that his lineup against the Tigers on Saturday, will be the same he uses on Opening Day, and against right-handed pitchers, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

The club will roll with John Jaso, Steven Souza, Asdrubal Cabrera, Evan Longoria, James Loney, Desmond Jennings, Logan Forsythe, Rene Rivera and Kevin Kiermaier.

Against left-handed pitchers, Cash told reporters he will use Brandon Guyer at the leadoff spot, Jennings and Loney will flip spots in the order, Forsythe will serve as a designated hitter and Tim Beckham will be at second base, per the Tampa Tribune.

Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus went 0 for 3 and struck out twice in his return to the lineup Wednesday as the Rangers fell to the Rockies, 10-4.

Andrus was scratched from Monday's lineup due to stiffness in his lower back but missed little time due to the injury. He has hit .359/.381/.590 in 39 spring at-bats.

The Yankees have acquired infielder Gregorio Petit from the Astros for a player to be named later or cash considerations, the Astros announced Wednesday.

Petit was reassigned to minor-league camp Sunday after failing to win a major-league roster spot with the Astros. He hit .310/.375/.414 in 29 at-bats this spring.

Nationals manager Matt Williams said Wednesday the third opinion on third baseman Anthony Rendon's injured left knee confirmed the first two opinions -- a sprained MCL.

Williams said Rendon will continue to rehab the injury, but delivered the bad news that Rendon will begin the season on the disabled list. Williams said Rendon has a week-to-week type of injury, and sources told CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman that Rendon could be back in three weeks.

General manager Mike Rizzo did not put a timetable on Rendon's return.

“It's positive news,” Rizzo told Heyman. “All three (doctors) agreed. There's nothing seriously wrong, and it should remedy itself. Some turn the corner quickly and with other guys it takes a few weeks. But he will be fine.”

Yunel Escobar is expected to fill in at third base during Rendon's absence, which means Danny Espinosa will likely replace Escobar at second base. Dan Uggla could also be an option, if he makes the Opening Day roster. Ryan Zimmerman is not expected to move back to third base with Rendon sidelined.

Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus, who was scratched from the lineup Monday due to lower back stiffness, said Tuesday he will resume baseball activities Wednesday, per the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

"There's nothing to worry about," he said.

Andrus is having a pretty good performance at the plate this spring, batting .389 (14 for 36) with one home run, two triples, two doubles, six RBI and four runs in 13 spring games.

Angels second baseman Johnny Giavotella has appeared to win the second-base competition, though he's not getting ahead of himself, MLB.com reports.

"Whether I'm in Triple-A or the big leagues," Giavotella said, "I'm going to prepare myself the same way and make sure I'm ready."

Giavotella is out of minir-league options and has hit .366/.422/.634 with four doubles, two triples and one home run in 41 spring at-bats.

"I think I've opened some eyes that I am capable of being a big leaguer; that I'm a quality option to be that guy to fill the void of Howie Kendrick," Giavotella said. "I think I showed them that I bring a lot of energy to each game, help the lineup out offensively. Even my defense; I feel like I've given them confidence that I can go out and make any play out there."

Giavotella is in the team's starting lineup Monday and batting ninth in what could be a preview of the Angels' regular-season lineup.

The Nationals' bench struggled when pressed into action a season ago, as the group only mustered a combined .143 batting average with 18 RBI. 

With stars Jayson Werth, Denard Span and Anthony Rendon likely to open the year on the disabled list, the Nationals know bench production will be key early on in the season. The Nationals bring back some guys that came off the bench a year go, including Danny Espinosa, Kevin Frandsen and Jose Lobaton. 

Their numbers will need to improve for the Nationals to sustain success offensively, especially when dealing with injuries. 

One possibility to take a bench spot is Tony Gwynn Jr., who's hitting .375 with two RBI this spring. 

"You want to set a tone for the team, especially when you are missing cogs like Rendon, Werth and Span," Gwynn said via MLB.com. "You have to be able to fill those voids. There are reasons they are paid the top money they are paid. They are not easy cogs to replace. You try to piece it together as a team and hope you can keep the ship afloat until those guys get back."