MLB Player News

Ramirez is expected to see more playing time with Jonathan Aranda (finger) sidelined, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Aranda was in line for a large-side platoon role at DH with some possibility of getting additional at-bats at first base. However, he's now going to be sidelined for at least a month, leaving Ramirez to slide into the vacated playing time. Ramirez is a viable contributor when he gets regular opportunity, as he posted a .313/.353/.460 line across 434 plate appearances last season.

The Angels reassigned Calhoun to minor-league camp Friday.

Calhoun joined the Halos as a non-roster invitee over the winter but posted just a .628 OPS over 33 plate appearances during spring training. He's now likely headed for Triple-A Salt Lake.

The Orioles optioned Kjerstad to Triple-A Norfolk on Friday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Kjerstad struggled to a .580 OPS in 18 spring games, so it's not a surprise he missed out on Baltimore's Opening Day roster given the club's strong group of position players. The 25-year-old had an .869 OPS in 76 contests at Norfolk last season and should receive another look with the Orioles at some point in 2024.

Jimenez (foot) is batting cleanup as the designated hitter in Friday's split-squad game against the A's.

The 27-year-old suffered a contusion Wednesday after fouling a ball off his foot, but he'll return to the starting nine just two days later. Jimenez avoided a serious injury, but health remains a concern given that he's missed at least 40 games in each full season of his MLB career.

Jimenez was diagnosed with a right foot contusion Thursday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Jimenez fouled a ball off his foot during Wednesday's spring training game but is officially listed as day-to-day, so his foot is unlikely to impact his availability for Opening Day. Jimenez has looked solid during Cactus League action, slashing .348/.375/.500 with 12 RBI through 48 plate appearances.

Stanton went 3-for-3 with three home runs and eight RBI in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates.

After slimming down over the winter, Stanton got off to a rather slow start to spring training, but he flipped the narrative with one huge offensive performance. He hit a grand slam among his three homers, and with three swings of the bat, he improved his Grapefruit League line from .250/.314/.406 to .314/.359/.714. It's nice to see his trademark power is still there, but durability remains a major concern given Stanton has fallen short of 400 plate appearances each of the past two seasons.

The Tigers reassigned Madris to minor-league camp Thursday.

Madris had a 1.219 OPS with two home runs this spring, but there's no room for him in the Tigers' outfield picture. He'll give them some depth at Toledo with major-league experience.

Rooker went 2-for-3 with a three-run home run and an additional run in a Cactus League tie with the Rangers on Tuesday.

The taste of offensive success, which was highlighted by a sixth-inning homer with Zack Gelof and JJ Bleday aboard, was a much-needed respite from Rooker's spring struggles. The 29-year-old's round tripper was his first since Feb. 27, and he now has back-to-back two-hit efforts after a 2-for-21 funk that had encompassed his previous eight games.

Buxton (back) is starting at designated hitter and batting second for the Twins in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers.

Buxton had to be scratched from the lineup Monday because of back tightness, but he's set to return to action Wednesday. The 30-year-old has had a very productive spring training, posting a 1.074 OPS with one home run. He'll be the Twins' primary center fielder in 2024 but will also see time at DH.

Alvarez's early removal from Monday's Grapefruit League game versus the Marlins was planned and he is not injured, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

It seemed a bit odd that Alvarez was lifted after just two plate appearances, but evidently that was always the plan and he is fine, so fantasy managers can breathe a sigh of relief. Alvarez is 10-for-29 with one home run so far this spring.