MLB Player News

Kim will rejoin San Diego for spring training in Arizona with Korea eliminated from the World Baseball Classic, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Though Kim went just 3-for-16 during WBC play, all three of his hits left the park, and he tallied five runs along with six RBI. He also struck out just one time and walked twice. Kim should resume playing in Cactus League contests shortly as he prepares to open the regular season as the Padres' starting second baseman.

Valdez was optioned to Triple-A Worcester by the Red Sox on Tuesday.

Valdez was competing for a utility spot with Boston, but at least to begin the 2023 campaign, the infielder/outfielder will begin the season in the minors. The 24-year-old has struggled in the Grapefruit League with a .695 OPS over 32 plate appearances with just one homer and no steal attempts over 14 games. While he starts the year in Worcester, Valdez will likely be one of the first players called up when Boston needs depth help.

Jackson was reassigned to minor-league camp by the Angels on Tuesday.

Jackson spent all of last season with Double-A Rocket City, slashing .215/.308/.404 with 44 RBI across 351 plate appearances. The 22-year-old infield prospect will most likely return to Double-A to begin 2023.

Julien was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul by the Twins on Tuesday, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Julien had a nice showing this spring, putting up a .919 OPS with two home runs in six games. The 23-year-old on-base machine was added to the Twins' 40-man roster over the offseason after posting a .300/.441/.490 line with 17 homers and 19 steals at Double-A Wichita in 2022. He will see his first Triple-A action in 2023 and could push to debut at some point later in the year.

Ortiz (concussion) was optioned into minor-league camp Tuesday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Ortiz reached Triple-A for the first time last season and slashed an impressive .320/.383/.534 over 115 plate appearances. He will almost certainly return to Triple-A Norfolk to begin the year, and he could be in line for a major-league debut if he continues to post similar numbers to last season.

Diaz (hamstring) was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento by the Giants on Tuesday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Diaz came down with a bit of hamstring tightness earlier this week, but he was already on the outside looking in for an Opening Day roster spot in San Francisco. The 26-year-old will serve as organizational infield depth for the Giants in 2023.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton said Tuesday that Mathias is in consideration for starts at second base, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Mathias was just acquired from the Rangers last Wednesday for a player to be named later and has already made a strong impression during his short time in Pirates camp. Shelton noted that the second base competition is wide open at the moment and also suggested that Mathias could be an option in the corner outfield. The 28-year-old put up an .825 OPS in 91 major-league plate appearances last season between Milwaukee and Texas.

Clement signed a minor-league contract Tuesday with the Blue Jays which includes an invitation to major-league spring training.

Clement struggled to attract interest all winter after batting just .184/.243/.209 over 179 major-league plate appearances last season between the Guardians and Athletics. The soon-to-be 27-year-old will function as organizational infield depth for Toronto heading into the 2023 campaign. He has also played some corner outfield.

Ibanez (hand) has returned to Tigers camp rather than travel with Team Cuba to Tokyo for the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Ibanez had been hoping to play for Team Cuba again but instead will receive further evaluation and treatment from the Tigers' training staff. He's working his way back from a sprained left ring finger.

The Marlins optioned Edwards to Triple-A Jacksonville on Tuesday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Edwards is coming off a disappointing season in his first taste of Triple-A ball but does maintain some fantasy upside because of his wheels. The 23-year-old was acquired from the Rays via trade back in November.