MLB Player News

The Pirates optioned Marcano to Double-A Altoona on Wednesday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Marcano was previously demoted to Triple-A Indianapolis on March 24, only to move down another level two weeks later since the Pirates determined an everyday role wouldn't be available to him with the top affiliate. The move to Double-A is a disappointing one for Marcano, who made the Padres' Opening Day roster last season before being dealt to Pittsburgh in the deal that sent Adam Frazier to San Diego. Upon joining the Pirates, Marcano reported to Indianapolis and fizzled over 48 games with the affiliate, slashing .230/.325/.279 with only six extra-base hits in 210 plate appearances.

Arcia batted .250 (8-for-32) over 14 games this spring and appears set as Atlanta's primary backup around the infield.

The defending champs have a set infield with Matt Olson, Ozzie Albies, Dansby Swanson and Austin Riley, but Arcia could see action a couple times a week giving any of the latter three a breather. The 27-year-old actually spent more of his time with the team last year in left field, but with Eddie Rosario and Alex Dickerson on the roster, Arcia likely won't be needed there too often. The former Brewer managed only a .567 OPS last season, but Atlanta is hoping he can supply something closer to the .733 mark he produced over 189 plate appearances in 2020.

Manager Dave Martinez informed Strange-Gordon on Tuesday that the utility man made the Nationals' Opening Day roster, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

The 33-year-old joined Washington on a minor-league deal in December and was able to earn a roster spot by hitting .469 in 12 spring training games. Strange-Gordon didn't play in the majors last season and hit .248/.288/.370 at the Triple-A level with the Cubs, Brewers and Pirates. He'll fill a utility role with Ehire Adrianza (quadriceps) beginning the season on the injured list.

Camargo will be on the Phillies' Opening Day roster, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Camargo spent the bulk of last season in the minors, going hitless in 18 trips to the plate at the MLB level, but it was always likely he'd break camp with the Phillies after signing a big-league deal in December. He doesn't have a clear path to regular at-bats, however, as the Phillies have an extra infielder even without him after electing to break camp with both Bryson Stott and Alec Bohm.

Barrero (hand) will begin the season on the 10-day injured list, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Barrero underwent surgery on the hamate bone in his left hand in late March and was given a six-week timetable. That means he'll get to avoid the 60-day injured list, but it will still be awhile before he's ready to go. Kyle Farmer should be the everyday shortstop until he returns.

DeJong will be the Cardinals' Opening Day shortstop, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

DeJong lost his starting role to Edmundo Sosa last year amidst a down season which saw him hit .197/.284/.390. He had to win his job back this spring, but he's managed to do so, slashing .435/.536/.826 in 11 spring games. Sosa is still around and is ready to take the job back should DeJong stumble again, but DeJong should get the majority of the playing time to start the year.

Adrianza (quadriceps) will open the season on the 10-day injured list, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

The 32-year-old suffered a quadriceps strain March 31 and it now appears it will keep him out of commission for the first couple series of the 2022 campaign. When healthy, Adrianza will likely operate as super-utility option in the infield off the bench for the Nationals this season. He will look to build upon his .247 batting average and 14 extra-base hits from 2021.

Reyes was optioned to Triple-A Nashville on Monday.

Reyes was unable to earn a spot on Milwaukee's Opening Day roster, so he'll begin the season at the Triple-A level. He played in 53 games for the Brewers in 2021 and hit. 256/.333/.359 with one home run, three RBI and four stolen bases in 87 plate appearances.

Strange-Gordon went 3-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a run scored in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.

The veteran infielder hasn't seen regular action in the majors since 2019 and spent all of last season bouncing between three different Triple-A affiliates, but Strange-Gordon is making a strong case for a bench spot with the Nationals by batting .448 (13-for-29) this spring. Aiding his push for a spot on the 40-man roster is the fact that both Alcides Escobar (neck) and Ehire Adrianza (quadriceps) are banged up right now and may not be ready for Opening Day, while the organization has already decided prospect Luis Garcia needs more seasoning at Triple-A. The Nats have a track record of rehabilitating the careers of players seemingly in the twilight of their careers, with Escobar, Josh Harrison and Howie Kendrick all providing recent examples, and Strange-Gordon did steal 22 bases for the Mariners during that 2019 campaign. If he does break camp with the club and Escobar is unavailable, the 33-year-old would likely be competing with Lucius Fox for playing time at shortstop out of the gate.

Castillo will break camp on the Pirates' major-league roster, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

The Pirates won't be breaking camp with their most exciting middle infield prospect, Oneil Cruz, but Castillo is a fairly interesting prospect in his own right. He makes a ton of contact, striking out in just 10.7 percent of his plate appearances across his six minor-league seasons. He managed 19 homers and nine steals in 104 games split across the two highest levels of the minors last season while slashing .278/.355/.487 before erupting for five homers in 28 Grapefruit League at-bats this spring. His exact role this season is undetermined, but the Pirates don't have an inspiring group of alternatives in the middle infield, so there should be plenty of at-bats available.