MLB Player News

Story started at second base, batted sixth, and went 1-for-2 with a walk and an RBI in Wednesday's spring training game against the Braves.

Story made his first appearance in a Red Sox uniform since he signed with the club last week. He had been expected to play this past weekend, but the 29-year-old left camp to attend the birth of a child. While he batted mostly third or cleanup last season with the Rockies, Red Sox manager Alex Cora envisions right-handed hitters Xander Bogaerts and J.D. Martinez for those spots against right-handed starters, per Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. With lefty-hitting Alex Verdugo batting fifth, Cora can break up a run of righties. Story could slot higher in the order -- possibly second -- when the Red Sox face a lefty starter.

Mateo went 2-for-3 with a home run -- his second of the spring -- and a base hit Wednesday in the Orioles' Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays.

Mateo was expected to compete for a utility role at the onset of camp, but he may have cemented himself as the frontrunner for the Orioles' Opening Day shortstop job by this point. According to Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com, manager Brandon Hyde said earlier Wednesday that he intended to stock the lineup with regular players for the final week of spring training, so Mateo's inclusion in the starting nine against the Blue Jays is seemingly a good sign of where he stands with the Orioles. Mateo, who entered Wednesday with an 1.035 OPS to go along with one stolen base through seven spring games, continued to build on that performance with another two-hit effort. Though Mateo committed his second error of the spring when he dropped a popout, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun notes that the 26-year-old atoned for the gaffe by making two potential run-saving plays in the field. Mateo has typically hit out of bottom half of the order in most of his starts this spring, but that shouldn't put too much of a limit on his running opportunities while he's part of an Orioles lineup that could struggle to generate runs.

Velazquez was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday.

Velazquez was unable to land a depth role on the Angels' Opening Day roster, and he'll begin the year in the minors. Across 11 appearances in Cactus League games this spring, he hit .250 with a home run, a triple, a double, four RBI, three runs, a walk and nine strikeouts.

Crawford underwent a dental procedure Wednesday and is expected to be out for a few days, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

The shortstop's availability for Opening Day does not seem to be in question and he'll likely be back in the lineup before spring training comes to a close. Crawford has batted .250 this spring while adding a double and an RBI in 16 at-bats. He'll look to build off of his career-high nine homers, 54 RBI and .273 average from 2021 when the 2022 campaign gets started late next week.

Manager Joe Maddon confirmed Tuesday that Fletcher will open the season as the Angels' everyday shortstop, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Fletcher is starting at second base in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Rockies and could continue to see reps at the keystone at various points during the upcoming season, but the Angels appear committed to deploying the 27-year-old primarily at the other middle-infield spot. Since Fletcher appeared in 20 games at shortstop in 2021, he should already have eligibility at the spot in most fantasy leagues in advance of the upcoming season, but if he doesn't, it likely won't be long before managers are able to keep him active at either middle-infield position. Though the dual-position eligibility improves Fletcher's fantasy outlook, Maddon's decision to appoint Shohei Ohtani as the Angels' full-time leadoff man is a negative development. Fletcher has mainly batted out of the either the No. 8 or No. 9 spot in the order this spring against both left- and right-handed pitching.

Manager Alex Cora said Story (personal) will play Wednesday in the Red Sox's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Since he didn't agree to his megadeal with Boston until March 20 and then didn't report to camp right away following the birth of his child, Story is behind the Red Sox's other position players as Opening Day approaches. Though Wednesday's game will mark Story's first game action, Cora expressed no concern about the 29-year-old's availability for the April 7 season opener versus the Yankees. Cora noted that Story is scheduled to play in spring games Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. The heavy game load in the upcoming days should not only help Story make up for the competitive at-bats he's missed thus far during camp, but it'll also allow him to get comfortable at a new position. After playing exclusively at shortstop over his six-year career in Colorado, Story is expected to see most of his action at second base during his first season in Boston.

Smith was assigned to minor-league camp Sunday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Smith, one of the prospects acquired from the Yankees in the Joey Gallo trade, made a huge impression during his Cactus League appearances. He went 6-for-9 with two home runs, one double and five RBI over six spring games at the time he was assigned. Smith, who pressed for at-bats at third base, is expected to play all over the infield and center field while at Triple-A Round Rock.

The Blue Jays optioned Jimenez to their minor-league camp Monday, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

One of the top low-level prospects in the Blue Jays' system, Jimenez was added to the 40-man roster over the winter despite likely being two years away from the majors. He's expected to open the 2022 campaign at High-A Vancouver after he impressed in his first taste of full-season ball at Low-A Dunedin in 2021, slashing .310/.512/.375 while striking out in only 14.5 percent of his 242 plate appearances.

The Blue Jays optioned Lopez to their minor-league camp Monday, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Lopez was one of 15 players sent to minor-league camp Monday in the Jays' latest round of roster cuts. The 23-year-old infielder received a cup of coffee with the big club last August, but he otherwise spent the majority of the season in the minors. In stops at Triple-A Buffalo and Double-A New Hampshire, Lopez hit a collective .315/.379/.437 with five home runs and 22 stolen bases across 508 plate appearances.

Chang is hitting .438 with two home runs, two doubles, eight RBI and five runs scored through six Cactus League games.

Chang once again enters the 2022 campaign without a guaranteed spot in the lineup. The 26-year-old bounced between Cleveland and Triple-A Columbus last season, posting a lackluster .228/.267/.426 slash line across 251 plate appearances in the majors. He's a versatile defender capable of playing all around the infield, but his best path to playing time this season is likely a short-side platoon at either first base with Bobby Bradley or second base with Andres Gimenez. Owen Miller and Ernie Clement will also likely push Chang for a bench role for the remainder of spring training.