MLB Player News
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Adam Frazier 2B | LAA
Orioles' Adam Frazier: Slow start in spring
Frazier is 3-for-19 with a double, a walk, one strikeout and three runs scored across eight Grapefruit League games.
Frazier hasn't hit well in the spring, but it's not much to be concerned about for a veteran. The 31-year-old is expected to be the Orioles' Opening Day second baseman, though he could ultimately end up filling the strong side of platoon at the keystone. Ramon Urias is Baltimore's top right-handed option in a variety of spots, so he could occasionally spell left-handed hitters like Frazier at second and Gunnar Henderson at third.
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Owen Miller 2B | CHC
Brewers' Owen Miller: Angling toward roster spot
Miller went 0-for-2 with a walk during Saturday's Cactus League game against the Royals and could be hitting his way onto the Brewers' Opening Day roster this spring, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports.
Miller has gone 8-for-20 with four doubles during Cactus League play and is also being used some in center field, a position he's never played in pro ball. The Brewers are looking for additional right-handed help in the outfield with Tyrone Taylor (elbow) out a while, and Miller certainly would enhance his chances of cracking the Opening Day roster if he can at least be passable in the outfield. The 26-year-old was acquired from the Guardians in December for a player to be named later or cash.
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Jordan Diaz 3B | ATH
Athletics' Jordan Diaz: Sent to minors
The Athletics optioned Diaz to Triple-A Las Vegas on Sunday.
Though Diaz displayed impressive contact skills during his time at Las Vegas and Double-A Midland in 2022 and even acquitted himself well during his brief run in the big leagues late last season, the Athletics will have the 22-year-old open 2023 in the minors and afford him the chance to play regularly. Since he lacks major power and doesn't contribute as a base stealer, Diaz's fantasy upside isn't particularly high, but his stellar hit tool may be enough to earn him steady playing time in the majors at some point in 2023.
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Edouard Julien 2B | COL
Twins' Edouard Julien: Leadoff HR for team Canada
Julien led off Sunday's World Baseball Classic win over Great Britain with a home run, went 1-for-2 and had four walks while batting leadoff for Canada. He was hitting .250 with two home runs and a.919 OPS in six games for the Twins in spring training before leaving for the WBC.
Julien has been an on-base machine in his minor-league career, so the four walks Sunday are no surprise. He slashed .303/.443/.491 with a 24.6 percent strikeout rate, a 19.3 percent walk rate and a strong 32.6 hard-hit percentage at Double-A last season. He then was a star of the Arizona Fall League, where he hit .400 with five home runs and more walks (23) than strikeouts (22) in 21 games. He'll likely begin the season at Triple-A and could be in the majors early in the season should an opening arise.
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Ernie Clement 2B | TOR
Ernie Clement: Released by Oakland
Clement was released by the Athletics on Sunday.
Clement was designated for assignment by Oakland last weekend, and he'll become a free agent as part of a series of roster cuts Sunday. The 26-year-old played in 70 games between the Guardians and Athletics last year and hit .184 with 19 runs and six RBI.
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Lenyn Sosa 2B | TOR
White Sox's Lenyn Sosa: To open year at Triple-A
Sosa was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte on Sunday.
Sosa is on the 40-man roster and made his big-league debut in 2022, but more development is needed in the upper levels of the minors. Chicago brought in veteran Elvis Andrus to serve as a placeholder at the keystone, with Sosa and Jose Rodriguez the most intriguing internal long-term options behind him.
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Brett Wisely 2B | ATL
Giants' Brett Wisely: Back in action Sunday
Wisely (illness) will start in center field and bat sixth in Sunday's Cactus League game versus the Athletics, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
Wisely will add another position to his skill set by getting a look in center field. The 23-year-old is gaining a lot of attention in spring training and has a chance to make the Giants' Opening Day roster as a bench bat. If he continues to play well, he could push for a strong-side platoon role, as manager Gabe Kapler is fond of playing matchups. Over the last two years, Wisely has seen time all around the infield and in left field as part of the Rays' organization.
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Ozzie Albies 2B | ATL
Braves' Ozzie Albies: Launches first spring homer
Albies went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers.
The second baseman golfed a Matt Manning pitch deep down the right-field line in the second inning. It was Albies' first homer of the spring and only his second hit in 15 at-bats, but his 2:2 BB:K doesn't suggest he's struggling. The 26-year-old played only 64 games last season due to multiple injuries, but he's healthy in camp and looking to regain the form that saw him post career-best fantasy numbers in 2021.
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Josh Rojas 3B | KC
Diamondbacks' Josh Rojas: Scratched from Sunday lineup
Rojas has been scratched from Sunday's Cactus League lineup against the Rockies for undisclosed reasons.
Rojas has been replaced in the lineup by Buddy Kennedy, who will hit seventh and play third base. There should be an update shortly as to why the veteran infielder is out of the lineup.
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Michael Massey 2B | KC
Royals' Michael Massey: Back in action Sunday
Massey (ankle) is starting at second base and batting seventh in Sunday's Cactus League game against the Guardians.
The 24-year-old suffered the ankle injury when he was hit by a pitch Wednesday, but he'll return to the lineup Sunday after taking a few days off. Massey is expected to begin 2023 as Kansas City's primary second baseman, though he may need to improve upon the .683 OPS he posted last season to retain the job for long.