MLB Player News

The Angels reassigned Neto to minor-league camp Tuesday.

The 2022 first-round selection quickly rose to Double-A ball in 2022, slashing .320/.382/.492 over 136 plate appearances. Neto will likely return to Double-A to start the 2023 campaign, and at his current pace, he could find himself in Triple-A before the end of the season.

De La Cruz was sent to minor-league camp by the Reds on Tuesday.

De La Cruz split time last season between High-A and Double-A, slashing .304/.359/.586 between the two levels. The Reds' top prospect will open the season with Triple-A Louisville and could crack the majors later in the year if he continues to tear through minor-league pitching.

McLain was reassigned Tuesday to the minor-league side of Reds camp.

McLain had been one of the standouts this spring in major-league camp, but he'll get at least a little seasoning at Triple-A Louisville before the Reds consider calling him up to the big leagues. He finished out the 2022 campaign at Double-A Chattanooga. The 23-year-old infielder went as the No. 17 overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft out of UCLA.

Bichette went 2-for-4 with two home runs and four RBI in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox.

The blasts didn't come against the stiffest competition, as Bichette took minor-leaguer Chris Murphy deep in the first inning before tagging Boston prospect Brandon Walter in the fourth, but it was still a strong performance from the shortstop. The homers were the first two of the spring for Bichette, but he's gone 11-for-28 (.393) overall with a 3:5 BB:K and appears more than ready for the games to begin to count.

DeJong is being evaluated for lower-back tightness, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

That's the reason for his late removal from the Cardinals' Grapefruit League lineup Tuesday. DeJong is considered day-to-day for now. Masyn Winn will start at shortstop and bat eighth against the Astros.

Brito was optioned to Triple-A Columbus by the Guardians on Tuesday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Although he went just 2-for-13 this spring, Brito showed off his excellent eye at the plate with 10 walks to just one strikeout. The 21-year-old was acquired from the Rockies for Nolan Jones in November.

Martinez was optioned to Triple-A Columbus by the Guardians on Tuesday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Martinez just turned 21 in January, so he wasn't going to make the Opening Day roster. He's shown well in spring training, though, collecting an .825 OPS with one homer and one steal.

Tena was optioned to Triple-A Columbus by the Guardians on Tuesday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Tena managed to reach Columbus last season, but he doesn't turn 22 until next week and could stand to work on his plate discipline. The infielder has fanned 11 times in 21 Grapefruit League appearances.

DeJong was scratched from the Cardinals' Grapefruit League lineup Tuesday against the Astros.

No reason has been given yet, though it's notable that DeJong had some trouble with arm fatigue at the start of Grapefruit League play. Top prospect Masyn Winn is in at shortstop and batting eighth Tuesday.

Rocchio was optioned to Triple-A Columbus by the Guardians on Tuesday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

The top prospect hasn't hit much this spring, but that doesn't dampen a rosy outlook for the 22-year-old. While Rocchio has primarily played shortstop, he is capable at second and third base as well. The Guardians are set at those positions, but he could be a capable fill-in if injuries strike.