MLB Player News

Lipcius was optioned to Triple-A Toledo by the Tigers on Tuesday.

Lipcius has had a nice spring with a .909 OPS and three home runs. The 24-year-old is capable of playing all over the infield and could find himself in a utility role in Detroit before long.

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.

Mead was optioned Monday to minor-league camp by the Rays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

There was some thought that Mead could make the Rays' Opening Day roster, but instead the top prospect in the system is poised to begin the season at Triple-A Durham. The 22-year-old Australian posted a .918 OPS in his 22 plate appearances in the Grapefruit League this spring and should be one of the first bats called up by Tampa Bay whenever the club is looking for additional offense.

The Red Sox optioned Rafaela to Triple-A Worcester on Monday.

Rafaela established himself as one of Boston's top outfield prospects last season after slashing .299/.342/.538 with 21 home runs and 28 stolen bases in 518 plate appearances between stops at High-A Greenville and Double-A Portland. The 22-year-old earned himself a spot on the 40-man roster this offseason along with an invitation to big-league spring training. Though he fell short in his longshot bid for a spot on Boston's Opening Day roster, Rafaela could push his way to the big leagues at some point later in 2023 if he continues to mash at the highest level of the minors.

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.

The Athletics optioned Bride to Triple-A Las Vegas on Sunday.

While seeing time at three infield spots (third base, second base and first base) as a rookie in 2022, Bride slashed an unremarkable .204/.301/.247 across 187 plate appearances with Oakland. Though high walk rates and low strikeout rates have been standard for Bride throughout his career, he may need to tap into more power or quality contact if he's to emerge as anything more than a depth or short-side platoon player at the big-league level. The 27-year-old will continue to hone his craft in Las Vegas but should be on the short list for a call-up whenever the Athletics might need a right-handed-hitting infield bat.

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.

Kreidler went 2-for-3 with a double, two runs scored and two RBI in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins.

Batting second, Kreidler made his presence felt. The infielder is battling for a reserve role this spring, though he'd likely make the team based on his defensive versatility, as he batted just .178 in 26 games for the Tigers in 2022. However, Kreidler looked better in the box at the Triple-A level the last two seasons, so perhaps he can improve his offensive production in the majors. Even if that happens, Kreidler will remain off the fantasy radar unless he's able to secure regular playing time.

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.