MLB Player News

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Thursday that Crawford (hand) is aiming to return to game action this weekend, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Crawford hasn't played since being hit on the hand/wrist area by a pitch Sunday, but his return to the Grapefruit League lineup looks to be imminent. The 37-year-old is slated to back up Masyn Winn at shortstop for the Cardinals this season.

Reds manager David Bell said Wednesday that McLain is heading for a second opinion on his shoulder and won't be ready for the start of the regular season next week, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Bell said earlier Wednesday that it's possible McLain will require surgery, so it's not a major surprise the young infielder will be sidelined for Opening Day. The 24-year-old was scratched from Monday's lineup due to left shoulder soreness, and the specifics of his injury beyond that remain unclear. A return timeline should come into focus once McLain receives the secondary evaluation, but at this point he should be expected to be sidelined for at least the next few weeks.

Merrill went 0-for-3 in his major-league debut Wednesday in the first game of the Seoul Series against the Dodgers.

The 20-year-old struck the ball fairly well all three times up, but he ended with nothing to show for it in his big-league debut. Merrill had never played center field prior to spring training, but he took well enough to the position to win the job and become the fourth-youngest Opening Day center fielder in the divisional era, per MLB's Sarah Langs. He was the No. 9 hitter Wednesday, though there is always potential for upward movement in the batting order. First things first, Merrill will have to prove that he belongs at the highest level.

Reds manager David Bell said Wednesday that "all of the options are on the table," including surgery, after McLain (shoulder) underwent an MRI on Wednesday. Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The specifics of the injury remain unclear as the full results of the MRI haven't been disclosed, but it's a concerning development after Bell initially downplayed the left shoulder soreness that scratched McLain from Monday's lineup. The 24-year-old's availability to begin the season is now up in the air, with a trip to the injured list being a distinct possibility, regardless of whether he requires surgery. McLain's status should be updated soon as he continues to be evaluated.

The Giants optioned Schmitt to Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Schmitt's chance at an Opening Day roster spot probably went away when the club signed Nick Ahmed, but he didn't help himself in going 3-for-26 at the dish this spring. The 25-year-old should bounce around the infield as a regular at Sacramento.

Arcia (hand) is starting at shortstop and batting eighth for Atlanta in Wednesday's Grapefruit League contest versus the Blue Jays, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Arcia exited Sunday's game after being hit on the left hand by a pitch, but he merely had a contusion and is back in there a few days later. The veteran shortstop has an .836 OPS with three home runs this spring.

The Padres selected Wade from Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday.

After signing a minor-league contract with the Padres in November, Wade will officially join the big-league club ahead of San Diego's opening series in South Korea against the Dodgers. Wade slashed .294/.351/.471 across 37 spring plate appearances and gives the Padres another option at third base due to Manny Machado (elbow) being limited to a DH role at the moment.

The Padres selected Merrill to the 26-man active roster Tuesday.

Merrill spent last season in High-A and Double-A, slashing .277/.326/.444 between the two levels, and he seemed poised to reach Triple-A heading into spring camp. However, the 20-year-old prospect went 13-for-37 with two homers and six RBI during spring training, earning himself the job as the Padres' primary center fielder. Now that he's in the majors, fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if Merrill struggles to initially adjust to MLB pitching, but he certainly has the potential for a successful big-league career.

Perdomo (knee) is in the Diamondbacks' lineup for Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Cubs.

Perdomo injured his knee on a slide during a Cactus League game last week, but a long-term absence was never likely for the 24-year-old. Perdomo is just 4-for-25 through 10 spring games, but he remains the favorite to start at shortstop for the D-backs on Opening Day.

The Giants optioned Lopez to Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The Giants acquired Lopez from Toronto during the offseason, and he will return to the minors to begin the season after going 5-for-21 with a homer and nine RBI during the spring. Lopez has three hits in five career MLB plate appearances, though he will have to prove he can perform consistently in Triple-A before he can secure a big-league role.