MLB Player News

Alvarez was reassigned to minor-league camp Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Alvarez is one of the Astros' more interesting prospects but was never likely to break camp with the team. He'll head back to Triple-A Round Rock to begin 2019 after slashing .259/.349/.452 in 45 games in the Pacific Coast League last season.

Ohtani (elbow) took batting practice in the cage Sunday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Ohtani reported no issues after taking batting practice from a coach for the first time this spring. He also did some throwing. The plan is for Ohtani to continue taking regular BP in the cage for a while before progressing to the field. While he's making encouraging progress, the 24-year-old is still expected to remain sidelined through April.

Brantley went 3-for-3 with one run scored, three RBI and one walk in Saturday's exhibition game against the Phillies.

Brantley remains without an extra-base hit this spring, but he's otherwise been solid at the plate with a .345/.406/.345 slash line over 29 at-bats. The 31-year-old again batted cleanup for the Astros, which is a decent chance of where he'll slot into the lineup come Opening Day.

Martinez (back) is in the lineup for Friday's spring game against the Yankees, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Martinez did not play in Boston's last two official spring training games because of his sore back, but he was able to take some at-bats in a minor-league game Thursday, and will return to Grapefruit League action Friday. Martinez will hit third and is feeling good enough to avoid the DH spot and play right field.

Ohtani (elbow) made 55 throws from 50 feet Wednesday and estimated that he was tossing the baseball at about 30 percent intensity, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

At this point in his rehab from Tommy John surgery, Ohtani is hitting soft toss nearly every day and throwing off flat ground three times a week. It's expected that he'll gradually increase the intensity and distance of his long-toss sessions in the weeks to come, but there's no clear timeline for him to resume mound work. He could advance to facing live pitching before camp ends in late March, but the Angels have already dismissed the possibility of Othani being ready to handle designated-hitter duties for the big club at any point in April.

Martinez (back) got a couple at-bats in a minor-league game Thursday and he expects to return to big-league action Friday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

He said his back is feeling better and the fact that he got at-bats against minor leaguers supports that notion. Look for him to get back in the lineup Friday against the Yankees.

Martinez (back) is not in the lineup for Thursday's spring game against the Tigers, according to Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic.

Martinez was scratched from the lineup Wednesday with tightness in his back, and the soreness will cost him at least one more game. The Red Sox have not expressed any concern about Martinez's status publicly, so he figures to return to action in short order.

Buxton went 2-for-3 with a home run in Wednesday's win over the Red Sox. He's hitting .400 (10-for-25) with four home runs this spring.

Buxton also has just four strikeouts after a 29 percent or worse strikeout rate each season in the majors. It's small sample, but Buxton is healthy and comfortable at the plate. He's looking like the player who seemed set for a breakout 2018 season before his campaign was derailed by injuries.

Jimenez was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte.

This move was unfortunately inevitable. If he stays healthy, the expectation is that Jimenez will join the big-league club shortly after the White Sox have secured a seventh year of control by keeping him in the minors until at least April 12. Chicago starts a home series against the Royals on April 15, which seems like the most likely date for him to get the call.

The Mariners have informed Vogelbach that he'll be included on the roster next week for the team's two-game, season-opening series with the Athletics in Tokyo, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

The Mariners and Athletics will both be allotted 28-man rosters in Japan as they kick off their seasons a week before the league's other 28 teams. That extra roster flexibility will make it easier for the Mariners to keep Vogelbach around temporarily, but the 26-year-old may have already earned his spot with the big club once they resume play in North America. Heading into Wednesday, Vogelbach has reached base at a .613 clip in Cactus League play, largely owing to his 12 walks in 31 plate appearances. With no minor-league options remaining and the Mariners down a corner-infield bat in Kyle Seager (hand) through at least the beginning of May, Vogelbach looks poised to fill at least a part-time role at first base or designated hitter for Seattle early in the season.