MLB Player News

Alvarez opted out of his minor-league contract Saturday with the Marlins and has 48 hours to decide whether to remain in the organization, Andre Fernandez of The Athletic reports.

Alvarez exercised the opt-out after being informed he would not make the Opening Day roster, and now has a chance to pursue other opportunities. The veteran slugger would be headed to Triple-A New Orleans should he choose to stay with the Marlins.

Kieboom was reassigned to minor-league camp Saturday, Byron Kerr of MASN Sports reports.

Kieboom reached Double-A for the first time last season, hitting .262/.326/.395 in 62 games. It's unclear if he'll head back there to start the year or open with Triple-A Fresno.

Farmer was called up from the Reds' minor-league camp Saturday and will be included on the team's Opening Day roster, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

The Reds sent Farmer to the minors Friday in what appeared to be an acknowledgement that Curt Casali had secured the team's backup catcher job and that Derek Dietrich and Jose Iglesias had beaten out Farmer for utility infield roles. Farmer will still find himself third on the depth chart at catcher, but he's now on track to provide the team with another reserve option in the infield after Scooter Gennett was diagnosed with a strained right groin that will keep him sidelined for 8-to-12 weeks. Iglesias will assume the everyday gig at shortstop while Jose Peraza shifts over to second base as Gennett's main replacement.

Senzel will continue to be developed as a center fielder at Triple-A Louisville to begin the season, according to president of baseball operations Dick Williams, instead of transitioning back to an infield role, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Williams' comments indicate the Reds have no plans to reverse their decision to demote Senzel to their minor-league game following the news Saturday that top second baseman Scooter Gennett (groin) would miss the next 8-to-12 weeks. Senzel drew 28 starts at the keystone for Louisville in 2018, but the Reds feel he's a better long-term fit in center field, where the team lacks an MLB-caliber hitter who can also handle the defensive rigors of the position. While Gennett is out, the Reds are expected to deploy Jose Iglesias as their primary shortstop, resulting in Jose Peraza shifting over to second. Senzel remains on track to get the call to the big leagues at some point in the back half of April once the Reds have secured an extra year of club control.

Davis looks on track to make the Mets' Opening Day roster following Saturday's round of cuts, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Included among the cuts was non-roster invitee Adeiny Hechavarria, who had been competing with Davis and Luis Guillorme for one of the available backup jobs in the infield. There should be room for both Guillorme and Davis to break camp with the big club now that both Todd Frazier (oblique) and Jed Lowrie (knee) are slated to open the season on the injured list. Jeff McNeil has been seeing reps at third base to offer another option at the position, but since he's the top candidate to serve as the Mets' primary left fielder, the opportunity could be there for Davis to begin the season atop the depth chart at the hot corner. Davis would likely see his playing time tail off considerably once one of Frazier and Lowrie is healthy again.

Farmer was reassigned to minor-league camp Friday.

Farmer hit a solid .381/.400/.738 with nine extra-base hits (two homers, two triples and five doubles) this spring, but it wasn't enough for him to lock down an Opening Day bench spot. The 28-year-old, who was acquired from the Dodgers in the offseason, should provide catching and infield depth for the Reds in 2019. Farmer owns a career .250/.309/.330 line across parts of two big-league seasons (59 games).

Senzel was reassigned to minor-league camp Friday.

The move seemingly closes off Senzel's chances of making the Opening Day roster. Whether for service-time manipulation reasons or out of a legitimate desire to have Senzel work on his defense at his new position of center field, the Reds appear set to open the season with Scott Schebler as the starting center fielder. Senzel should still be up early in the season and should spend the bulk of the year in the big leagues.

Robinson went 3-for-4 with a double, four RBI, a run scored and two stolen bases Thursday.

After a slow start to the spring, Robinson has collected six hits in his last 11 at-bats. He now has 10 hits in 39 at-bats, but has also struck out 16 times. This hot stretch is coming at the right time for Robinson as he is competing for a bench spot in a crowded Cardinals lineup, though it appears likely he'll begin the season at Triple-A Memphis.

Anderson went 2-for-2 with two walks, a triple, a run scored and two RBI in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.

Hitting second in the order between veteran bats Curtis Granderson and Neil Walker in what could easily be the Marlins' Opening Day lineup, Anderson pushed his spring slash line up to .400/.500/.725 through 48 plate appearances with an impressive 7:6 BB:K. The 25-year-old is coming off a surprisingly productive rookie season, and while he was never considered a top prospect coming up through Miami's system, the third baseman seems poised to deliver another solid campaign.

Riley went 2-for-2 with a double, a solo home run and a second run scored in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals.

The Braves' No. 1 fantasy prospect connected on his first spring homer in the fifth inning off Anibal Sanchez. Riley hasn't wowed anyone at the plate in camp, slashing .267/.327/.378 with a 3:12 BB:K in 18 games, but the organization's willingness to try him out in an outfield corner suggests it expects him to force its hand on a big-league promotion sooner rather than later. The 21-year-old's best path to a 2019 debut might come via a Josh Donaldson injury, however.