MLB Player News

Busch was optioned Monday to minor-league camp by the Dodgers.

Busch has struggled in his brief Cactus League sample, with a slash line of .150/.320/.300 with one homer in 25 plate appearances. Those struggles have very little to do with why he's opening the season in the minors, however, and the 25-year-old could be an option for the Dodgers at some point this summer as one of the club's best hitting prospects.

Reds manager David Bell said Monday that Senzel (toe) is no longer in line to play in Cactus League games this week and is unlikely to be cleared for Opening Day, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Though the skipper relayed that Senzel is continuing to make progress in his recovery from November surgery to repair a fractured toe of his left foot and isn't dealing with any sort of setback, the 27-year-old seemingly hasn't made enough advances in his running program and defensive work to gain clearance for games yet. Senzel might have a chance at getting into a game during the final week of the exhibition slate, but it looks as though he'll start the regular season on the injured list. If that's the case, the Reds could take a platoon approach to center field, with Will Benson and/or TJ Friedl serving as options from the left side of the plate and Stuart Fairchild representing a short-side option.

Groshans reported improvement with his ailing left shoulder Sunday, according to MLB.com.

Groshans' shoulder was banged up after he made a pair of diving plays on Friday, but it appears he's not dealing with a significant injury. The infielder should be ready to return to Grapefruit League play later this week.

Hayes has three extra-base hits -- including two home runs -- across 13 at-bats in Grapefruit League action.

Hayes was briefly sidelined in early March due to a thumb injury, though he returned to the lineup Saturday and hit his second home run of the spring. He also chipped in a triple March 4 and is slugging .846 during spring training. While that number clearly won't carry forward into the regular season, it's possible that Hayes could add some more power production to his profile heading into his age-26 campaign.

Moustakas has gone 3-for-6 with a home run in Cactus League action this spring.

Moustakas signed a minor-league deal with the Rockies on March 5 and had been ramping up by participating in live batting practice. He's since been in the lineup twice, with one appearance coming at designated hitter and the other third base. If Moustakas can remain healthy, he should have a chance to make the team out of spring training, though he'll have to surpass at least Elehuris Montero in order to have a regular spot in the lineup.

Groshans is dealing with a sore shoulder, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Groshans made a pair of diving plays Friday and visited a doctor about his shoulder the next day. While that may not bode well, a specific diagnosis beyond "soreness" has yet to emerge. Groshans could win a bench spot this spring after appearing in 17 big-league games last season, though the recent addition of Yuli Gurriel could hurt his chances.

Hayes (thumb) will lead off and play third base Saturday against the Yankees.

Hayes had been held out of game action since Thursday while dealing with thumb soreness, but the injury never appeared to be a major one. He'd been able to hit in the cage despite the injury and should have plenty of time to get up to full speed by Opening Day.

Senzel (toe) is on track to make his Cactus League debut early next week, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Senzel has had some setbacks with his running as he works his way back from two surgeries on his fractured left big toe. However, he's made nice progress of late and Reds manager David Bell said Friday that Senzel's batting practice has been the best he's ever seen it. He would seem to still be a question mark for Opening Day, but if Senzel can keep moving in the right direction he's got a shot to avoid an injured list stint.

Hayes was held out of the Pirates' Grapefruit League lineup Thursday due to soreness in his left thumb, Chris Halicke of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Hayes did have no issue hitting in the cage, so this is perhaps just a minor blip. The 26-year-old third baseman has been plagued by a few different injuries in his young MLB career, including a lingering one around his left hand/wrist. It was lower-back trouble that largely took the blame after his rough .244/.314/.345 batting line last season.

Baty made a couple nice defensive plays in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros, Fiifi Frimpong of The New York Daily News reports.

The 23-year-old's defense at third base was a concern coming into camp, but Baty is putting in the work to convince the Mets he can handle a starting assignment. He's also been swinging a hot bat through the early part of the Grapefruit League schedule, going 9-for-19 with a double and a homer, and Baty still has a realistic shot at unseating Eduardo Escobar at the hot corner as soon as Opening Day.