MLB Player News

Urshela (hamstring) will likely begin the season on the major-league disabled list, Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

News broke Wednesday that the infielder would likely need to miss almost two weeks of action, so it comes as little surprise that he'll start the season on the disabled list. This move does keep the door open for a major-league roster spot once he's healthy, though. In his absence, Erik Gonzalez is expected to open the season in the majors.

Davis and Tyler White will accompany the Astros back home to Houston next week for two exhibition games against the Brewers, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Davis and White are locked in a battle for the final roster spot, and a decision will be rendered following the conclusion of those two games. The spot is available because first baseman Yulieski Gurriel is recovering from a hand injury and will serve a five-game suspension upon his return. From a pure numbers standpoint, Davis (three HR, 1.019 OPS) has had the better spring, but White has more MLB experience on his resume. Either way, fantasy owners should understand this will be a temporary assignment, likely ending mid-to-late April, and the eventual winner will get limited plate appearances.

Urshela is expected to miss 10-to-14 days after being diagnosed with a right hamstring strain, Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com reports.

It's good to hear that Urshela isn't expected to miss an extended period of time, but it means that he likely won't be ready for the start of the regular season. The injury comes at a bad time for Urshela, as he produced a 1.369 OPS in 18 games this spring. Erik Gonzalez figures to grab the reserve infielder role.

Segura will not play Wednesday due to a sore thumb, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Manager Scott Servais said that he expects Segura to be back in the lineup within the next couple days. Barring any sort of setback, the shortstop should be fully healthy by the time Opening Day rolls around against Cleveland.

Plouffe will not make the Rangers' Opening Day roster, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Plouffe is expected to mull over his options in the coming days, which include requesting a release from the organization in order to pursue a major-league spot with another club. Earlier this spring, Plouffe said that he wouldn't accept a minor-league assignment. The 31-year-old was also removed from Wednesday's Cactus League lineup after news of his exclusion from the Opening Day roster broke. Expect a decision on his part in the coming days.

Devers went 2-for-2 with a walk, a home run, two RBI and three runs scored in Tuesday's game against the Pirates.

There's no doubting Devers will hit in the majors. He's mashed spring pitching, slugging .735 with three homers, three doubles, a triple and eight RBI over 43 at-bats. The long-term question about Devers is his defense, and if he can prevent a move to designated hitter or first base. He showed off his improving skills a couple of times Tuesday, something manager Alex Cora attributed to him being in better position before the ball is hit. "Well, [last season] the ball was getting to the hitting zone and he was in the air," Cora told Ian Browne of MLB.com. "You have to have your feet on the ground. Just like a sprinter. You have to be on the ground and you go. It got to the point that he was late, reacting late and he was always getting that in-between hop."

Alvarez's chances of cracking the Orioles' Opening Day roster improved with Mark Trumbo (quadriceps) expected to open the season on the disabled list, Jon Meoli of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Trumbo is projected to serve as the Orioles' primary designated hitter this season, so if the team is looking for another power-minded bat to fill in while he's likely sidelined through early-to-mid April, Alvarez may make for a more attractive alternative than Danny Valencia, Craig Gentry or Alex Presley, who are also jockeying for bench roles. Alvarez's defensive shortcomings are well known, so if he opens the season with the big club, it's difficult to envision him sticking around for long once Trumbo returns. Alvarez, who spent the bulk of the 2017 campaign at Triple-A Norfolk and slugged 26 home runs and 31 doubles across 595 plate appearances, has gone 10-for-42 at the dish with three extra-base knocks this spring.

Valencia (calf) claimed that he could've played in Monday's Grapefruit League game if it was the regular season, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

The veteran infielder is seemingly being extra careful with his injury since it's still spring training, but it's good to hear that there is little concern about the issue. Expect Valencia to return to game action sometime in the next couple days.

Urshela left Monday's game with right hamstring tightness, Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com reports.

Urshela suffered the injury while running to second base on a double. Until further notice, consider Urshela day-to-day. The injury comes at an unfortunate time for Urshela, as he's compiled an impressive .500 batting average and 1.369 OPS over 18 games this spring while competing with Erik Gonzalez for a reserve infield spot with the big club.

Urshela left Monday's game against the Giants with an undisclosed injury, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Urshela had to be pulled from Monday's game after appearing to hurt himself while running to second and picking up a double. Heading into Monday's game, Urshela had gone 20-for-41 (.488) with three home runs over 17 outings this spring. Additional information regarding his status should be available in the near future.