MLB Player News

Asuaje was optioned to Triple-A El Paso on Monday.

Asuaje faced an uphill battle in camp thanks to the presence of veteran Erick Aybar and Rule 5 pick Allen Cordoba in San Diego's middle infield. The 25-year-old, originally an 11th-round draft pick by Boston in 2013, hit a sharp .321/.378/.473 in 134 games for El Paso in 2016 and could very well be the Padres' first option should they suffer an injury in the middle infield.

Vargas was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Friday.

Vargas moved up all the way from High-A to Triple-A in 2016, thanks to his ludicrously consistent ability to make contact. He struck out just 37 times across 575 combined plate appearances at Double-A and Triple-A last season, and if he can come anywhere near replicating the .354/.418/.449 line he posted in 49 games for Reno last season, he'll find his way to Arizona quickly. For now, though, the Diamondbacks will stick with their stable of veteran middle infielders.

Arenado went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run in Team USA's victory over Team Canada on Sunday.

The longball was Arenado's first hit of the tournament, but it was a big one, sparking the Americans to win and advance to the second round of the World Baseball Classic. The US will face Puerto Rico, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic during the next segment of the WBC, allowing the star third baseman a few more opportunities to showcase his talents on the global stage.

Sosa was optioned to High-A Palm Beach on Monday, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

Sosa was another Cardinals prospect that needed to be added to the 40-man roster for Rule 5 protection, although he won't be an option for the big league team anytime soon. He'll start the season in High-A, where he slashed .294/.314/.412 in 34 at-bats to end 2016.

The Pirates assigned Newman to minor league camp Monday, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. "We are excited about where he is," GM Neal Huntington said. "And we are looking forward to his continued growth and development offensively and defensively. We gave him some things to work on."

Newman, who hit .389 in 17 spring at-bats, will likely start 2017 with Triple-A Indianapolis. Pittsburgh's No. 1 pick in 2015, the infielder could make his major league debut this summer. He's shown an ability to hit for average (.295/.362/.396) in the minors and projects as Jordy Mercer's heir apparent at shortstop. Mercer may leave Pittsburgh when he becomes a free agent after 2018, but Newman could also slide over to second base if the veteran stays in place.

Senzel received negative results on his X-rays, showing no significant damage to his wrist, C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

This is big news for both parties, as the CAT scans showed everything was normal in the wrist of the Reds' top prospect. Although the 21-year-old will likely still miss time, especially with the Reds being cautious with easing him back, he will not have to undergo surgery.

Senzel will get X-rays after getting hit on the wrist in batting practice Saturday, the Cincinnati Enquirer's C. Trent Rosecrans reports.

Senzel is the top fantasy prospect from last year's draft class, and one of the top overall prospects in baseball, so this is a potentially significant situation. He was scratched from Saturday's game after suffering the injury, and his status will be updated when the results of the X-rays are made public.

McMahon was reassigned to minor league camp Thursday.

The Rockies' No. 10 prospect, McMahon struggled in his first taste of big league pitching, going just 1-for-12 during his time in big league camp. McMahon's stock took a huge hit last season in a more neutral hitting environment, hitting just .242 with a 30.1 percent strikeout rate. He still has plus raw power, but with questions about his ability to handle third base defensively, more pressure could be placed on his bat if he is moved across the diamond to first base.

Candelario (ankle), in his second game back from being hit by a pitch, went 1-for-2 with an RBI and a run Tuesday.

Candelario picked up right where he left off before his injury, as he continues to hit the ball well this spring. He's batting .320 in 25 at-bats so far, and is looking to force his way onto an overcrowded Cubs roster.

Rendon went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox.

He's now hitting a snappy .438 (7-for-16) to begin the spring. Rendon was able to stay healthy in 2016 and put together a solid campaign that included a career-high 85 RBI, and if the 26-year-old has put his injury woes behind him, he has the talent -- and the lineup around him -- to take a big step forward in 2017.