MLB Player News

The Reds placed Barrero on waivers Saturday, and the utility player was claimed by the Rangers on the same day.

Barrero split his time last season between Triple-A Louisville and the Reds and slashed .218/.295/.323 with two home runs and 17 RBI over 149 plate appearances in the majors. He made the move to the outfield this spring after spending most of his career at shortstop, though he did play center field in 17 games for Cincinnati last season. Barrero will now look to compete for an Opening Day roster spot in Texas for 2024.

Crawford, who drew two walks and scored a run in his two plate appearances during Thursday's Cactus League win over the Angels, is now 0-for-9 over his first six exhibitions.

The veteran has drawn three walks, but that's been the extent of his offensive production. Crawford's early struggles aside, he's once again being counted on to hold down the fort on a near everyday basis at shortstop after slugging a career-high 19 home runs and driving in a career-best 65 RBI a season ago. The power surge helped Crawford produce a career-high .818 OPS as well, although there will be some doubt as to his ability to replicate those numbers after previously having failed to top nine homers in any season.

Seager (groin) fielded some grounders and played catch Thursday, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

Seager has resumed some baseball activities but has not yet been cleared to swing a bat as he works his way back from sports hernia surgery. He is hoping to play in some Cactus League games before the spring schedule runs out, but it's uncertain as to when that might happen. It seems more likely that not that Seager will need some time on the injured list to start the season, but he shouldn't be out long.

Barger has played a lot of right field so far in camp, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

The 24-year-old played four different positions last season in the minors, including 20 games each at third base and shortstop, but the Blue Jays seem to view right field as Barger's best defensive fit. He won't break camp on the big-league roster, but should George Springer go down with an injury and Barger is swinging the bat well at Triple-A Buffalo, it could position him to make his MLB debut over the summer.

Clement has emerged as a favorite to win a utility job on the Blue Jays' bench, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

The 27-year-old infielder has a modest .578 OPS through 364 career big-league plate appearances, but he's out of minor-league options and has gone 5-for-13 (.385) with a triple and a stolen base through five Grapefruit League games. Clement's main competition appears to be Santiago Espinal and veteran non-roster invitee Eduardo Escobar, but the former can be optioned to Triple-A and the latter is flailing at the plate, going 0-for-15 with eight strikeouts this spring.

Story was scratched from the lineup for Thursday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta due to neck stiffness, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

The Red Sox have described Story's removal as precautionary, so he'll be day-to-day and should have a good chance at returning to action at some point within the next week. David Hamilton will replace Story at shortstop Thursday, batting ninth.

Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said Wednesday that Diaz (groin) has been cleared to resume baseball activities, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Diaz was diagnosed with a left groin strain Feb. 29 and will face an uphill battle to get fully healthy in advance of Opening Day, but the fact that he's taking part in baseball activities just one week after suffering the injury at least bodes well for his chances of avoiding an extended absence to begin the season. He remains without a definitive timeline to re-enter the Athletics' Cactus League lineup, however.

Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said Wednesday that Allen is currently sidelined with a mild back strain, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Allen hasn't played in a Cactus League game since March 1 due to the back issue. The Athletics haven't provided an indication of when Allen might be ready to return to the spring lineup, but the team seems to be viewing his injury as a day-to-day concern. If healthy, Allen is the favorite to open the season as the Athletics' primary shortstop.

Duran started at third base and went 2-for-3 with an RBI and two stolen bases in Tuesday's spring game against the Mariners.

Duran's getting a healthy dose of playing time and leads the Rangers with 26 plate appearances (.360/.385/.480). He's the steady fill-in at third base for Josh Jung (calf), who is due back at some point this month. Duran is expected to be on the Opening Day roster as a backup utility infielder.

Manager Bruce Bochy said Tuesday he's "hopeful" Seager (groin) will get some at-bats in Cactus League play before the end of spring training, Manny Randhawa of MLB.com reports.

The 29-year-old's availability for Opening Day remains in question as he recovers from the hernia surgery he underwent in late January. Seager recently had his progress slowed by the flu, but it apparently wasn't enough to delay his potential return. It's unclear if he has resumed baseball activities, but there should be more clarity on his status as spring training continues to progress. Even if Seager isn't quite ready by Opening Day, he isn't expected to miss much time.