MLB Player News

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Thursday that Alvarez will not be an everyday player at the beginning of the season, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Alvarez is pain-free and in the lineup Opening Day, but his nagging left hand issue limited him to just two Grapefruit League games during spring training. The extra rest is likely more about easing the slugger back into action as a precaution. Alvarez is playing left field and batting third against the White Sox on Thursday.

Madris was designated for assignment by the Astros on Thursday.

The team needed to free up a 40-man roster spot and Madris is the casualty. It's the second time he's been DFA'd since December.

The Royals selected Reyes' contract from Triple-A Omaha on Thursday.

Not only that, they're starting him at designated hitter and batting him fifth on Opening Day versus the Twins. MJ Melendez is getting the start in right field, with Edward Olivares in left and Nate Eaton on the bench.

Madris was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Madris reached the majors for the first time in his career last season but slashed just .177/.244/.265 over 123 plate appearances with the Pirates. He had a much better spring, but the 27-year-old outfielder will return to the minors to serve as organizational depth.

Manager Mark Kotsay said Monday that Rooker earned a spot on Oakland's Opening Day roster, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The 28-year-old bounced around from the Twins to the Padres to the Royals last season before being claimed off waivers by the A's in November, and he's now claimed a spot on Oakland's Opening Day roster after he finished spring training with a .906 OPS. Rooker has a .668 OPS in 81 career big-league games, and he's likely to begin the campaign on the short side of a platoon in left field with Conner Capel.

General manager Dana Brown stated Monday that Brantley (shoulder) isn't expected to make his 2023 debut until mid-to-late-April, Michael Connor of Sports Talk 790 reports.

Brown noted that the club's initial expectation was for Brantley to take the field in mid-April, but he's already a week or so behind that target date. The GM mentioned that the veteran outfielder has been hitting and getting his necessary days off, and the squad has no intention of rushing him back before he's ready. An update on Brantley's timeline should arrive as he gets closer to seeing live at-bats, likely in a minor-league setting.

Reyes is likely to make the Opening Day roster for the Royals out of spring training, Anne Rogers of MLB.com notes.

Reyes was brought in on a minor-league contract in February by the Royals after struggling mightily in 2022 with both the Guardians and Cubs. The 27-year-old has hit well in the Cactus League as seen in a 1.112 OPS and three homers over 43 plate appearances with the club. Reyes will likely see reps as a designated hitter if/when he does become a part of the big-league roster to open 2023 with an occasional start or two in the outfield as well.

Hummel is part of the Mariners' Opening Day roster, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

The 28-year-old Hummel finished spring training with walks across each of his last three plate appearances Sunday and Monday, capping a strong body of work in Cactus League play that included a .275/.420/.675 line across 50 plate appearances. Kramer notes Hummel's versatility -- he's capable of filling in at catcher and the corner outfield spots -- helped seal his spot on the Opening Day roster, although his offensive contributions certainly may have put him over the top.

Astros manager Dusty Baker told reporters before Monday's exhibition against Triple-A Sugar Land, Michael Connor of Sports Talk 790 in Houston reports.

While Alvarez is scheduled to play the whole game, Baker cautions that might change because the team did not get back to Houston on Monday until after 3am. Whether he plays the full game or not, Alvarez looks like he's a full-go for the regular season which begins Thursday against the White Sox.

Belt (illness) will serve as Toronto's designated hitter and cleanup batter in Monday's Grapefruit League game versus the Phillies.

Belt is back in the lineup after being scratched from the starting nine in both of the past two days due to a non-COVID-19-related illness that has been described as a stomach bug. Though the 34-year-old is likely to see limited action against left-handed pitching this season and may frequently sit out day games after night games, he's expected to be the Blue Jays' preferred cleanup hitter versus right-handed pitching when healthy.