MLB Player News

Moncada went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, a double and two runs scored Saturday against the Dodgers.

Moncada is putting the finishing touches on an encouraging spring. He's slashing .356/.482/.689 with eight extra-base hits over 56 plate appearances. Hidden among those batted-ball stats is an improved strikeout rate. Moncada fanned on 25 percent of his plate appearances, a drop from 33.4 percent in 2018 when he led the AL in strikeouts.

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.

Duffy suffered a setback with his hamstring Saturday and is expected to open the season on the injured list, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

After Duffy was able to complete a running program earlier in the week without incident, he received the green light to re-enter the Grapefruit League lineup Thursday against the Braves. Duffy then picked up nine at-bats at the minor-league level Friday and was slated to play again Saturday versus the Tigers, but those plans were thwarted when his left hamstring soreness resurfaced prior to the contest. Expect the Rays to act conservatively with Duffy now that he's endured multiple setbacks with the hamstring since camp opened. With Duffy headed for the IL, the Rays will likely keep an extra outfielder in Guillermo Heredia on the Opening Day roster. A committee of Daniel Robertson, Yandy Diaz and Joey Wendle should pick up the starts at third base while Duffy is sidelined.

Burger (Achilles) took groundballs at third base Thursday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Burger was cleared for the activity this week and went immediately to the field to work on his defense. He had been hitting since November. The 2017 first-round draft pick missed all of 2018 after tearing his left Achilles during training camp last year. His return to game action should happen later this summer.

Duffy (hamstring) struck out in all three at-bats in his return to Grapefruit League action against the Braves on Thursday and got in nine at-bats in multiple minor-league games Friday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Duffy finally seems to be on the right track for Opening Day. With the infielder having missed considerable time this spring, his frenetic schedule the last two days was intended to help him accelerate the process of getting his timing down at the plate. The 28-year-old was limited to hitting and running the bases Friday, playing no defense, but he emerged from the long day with a positive outlook. "Feel good," Duffy said. "Tomorrow will be another big test with how it bounces back after back-to-back days on being on it, I felt good today."

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).