MLB Player News

Plouffe signed a minor-league contract with the Rangers on Monday.

Plouffe is back with the Rangers after being released by the team last week. The 31-year-old, who hit a combined .198/.272/.318 across 100 games with the Rays and A's last season, will likely report to Triple-A Round Rock to open the season, where he'll serve as organizational infield depth.

Robinson was told that he'll make the Rangers' Opening Day roster Monday, Levi Weaver of The Athletic Dallas reports.

Robinson's roster spot briefly appeared under threat after reports revealed that Texas was considering giving Ryan Rua the everyday left field role. It now appears that Robinson will open the season with the team, though possibly in a bench role. Playing in a hitter-friendly home park should help Robinson's numbers, but if he's strictly a bench bat he's unlikely to have much value in most fantasy leagues.

Chapman projects as the everyday third baseman and No. 7 hitter in the coming season despite a difficult spring, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

Chapman hasn't exactly had the most encouraging of springs, dealing with a hand injury early and generating a .179 average with three doubles, one home run and five RBI over 43 plate appearances across 15 games. However, he'll get an immediate chance to begin building on a respectable rookie campaign, one that saw him slash .234/.313/.472 with 39 extra-base hits (23 doubles, two triples and 14 home runs). Whittling down a 28.2 percent strikeout rate and boosting a .313 OBP figure to be two priorities entering 2018, with improvement in both areas likely to result in an appreciable uptick in his metrics across the board.

Segura (thumb) will bat second and man shortstop in Sunday's Cactus League game against the Padres, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

After a week-long absence due to the sore thumb, Segura returned to Cactus League action in grand fashion Saturday against the Cubs, going 3-for-3 with a walk to raise his spring on-base percentage to a robust .535. With the 28-year-old in the lineup for a second straight day, it's safe to say he's ready to go for Opening Day.

Davis was informed Saturday that he will be on the Astros' Opening Day roster, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Davis was battling Tyler White for the roster spot made available by Yulieski Gurriel's hand injury, and a strong spring showing by Davis (.365/.393/.712 with five homers in 56 plate appearances) secured him the Opening Day roster spot. It's unclear if the 24-year-old will see the majority of playing time at first base until Gurriel is back, as Marwin Gonzalez is also a capable first baseman, but that should clear up as the start of the season draws nearer. Either way, Davis will likely head back to the minors once Gurriel is ready to return.

Valencia earned a spot on the Orioles' Opening Day roster, Eduardo A. Encina of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Valencia was with the club on a minor-league deal this spring. He will serve as a utility man at the corner infield and outfield positions in 2018 after proving his worth during Grapefruit League action.

Davis went 2-for-3 with two solo home runs in Friday's game against the Twins.

One of the final mysteries in Houston's camp is whether Davis or Tyler White earns the roster spot made available by Yulieski Gurriel's hand injury. Manager A.J. Hinch said he'll reach a decision after the two exhibition games Houston plays next week against Washington, but Davis hitting two homers off two different pitchers should be embossed on the manager as spring training wraps up. Davis' ability to go deep at any point is a strength he brings to battle.

Robinson's roster spot may be in jeopardy, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

After presumed everyday left fielder Willie Calhoun was sent to the minors, the assumption was that Robinson would platoon with Ryan Rua at the position, with Robinson, the left-hander, receiving the bulk of the playing time. It now appears that the Rangers are considering giving Ryan Rua an everyday role. With the team also deciding to keep Rule 5 pick Carlos Tocci on the roster, Robinson could open the year in the minors. The 25-year-old has spent parts of the past four years at the Triple-A level and had a 123 wRC+ there last year, so he would seem to have little left to prove.

Segura is expected to play in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Cubs, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Segura has been dealing with a sore thumb recently, but the issue was never thought to be anything that would keep him sidelined for an extended period. He's expected to hit in the cage Thursday, and if everything goes as planned, he'll be cleared to return to exhibition play over the weekend. Barring any setbacks, Segura should be ready to go by the start of the season.

Valencia (calf) entered Thursday's game at third base in the second inning, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

The Orioles didn't seem to be too concerned over Valencia's status after he missed a couple games earlier this week due to calf soreness, and it appears as though he should be at 100 percent prior to Opening Day. Over 130 games with the Mariners last season, Valencia hit .256/.314/.411 with 15 home runs and 66 RBI.