MLB Player News

The Pirates optioned Cruz to Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday.

Cruz made a brief, two-game MLB debut last October, and it's not hard to argue he's one of the Pirates' 26 best players already despite his inexperience, but the team will choose to prioritize delaying his free agency by a year. The new collective bargaining agreement allows players who finish in the top two in their league's Rookie of the Year voting to gain a full year of service regardless of how much time they spend on the major-league roster, so the Pirates are now heavily incentivized to keep him in the minors long enough to make sure that doesn't happen. In the Pirates' defense, Cruz has only played six Triple-A games, but it's not as if the team has compelling options to start over him. Kevin Newman and Cole Tucker should earn most of the at-bats at shortstop until Cruz returns.

Perdomo could get work at shortstop early in the year with Nick Ahmed dealing with a shoulder injury.

Ahmed had an MRI on his shoulder which yielded inconclusive results, so it wouldn't be that surprising if he opened the year on the injured list. Perdomo might already be the better all-around player, as both guys are good defensive shortstops while Ahmed has a lengthy track record as a below-average hitter. Perdomo came on strong at the end of last season in the upper minors and in the majors and he has a chance to steal double-digit bases over a full season.

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 Nationals reassigned Urena to minor-league camp Monday, Matt Weyrich of NBC Sports Washington reports.

Urena joined Washington on a minor-league deal in November and was unable to show enough during spring training to warrant serious consideration for a spot on the Opening Day roster. He's seen most of his action in the middle infield, primarily shortstop, but also saw time at third base in camp with the Nationals. Urena appeared in 92 games at the Triple-A level in 2021 and hit .272/.310/.435 with nine home runs, 41 runs and 49 RBI.

Ahmed's MRI on his right shoulder was inconclusive Monday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

The shortstop battled shoulder soreness late last season, and the issue appears to have popped up again this spring. He indicated that the tests didn't reveal any significant tear or soft tissue issue, so he'll attempt to rehab the issue for now without surgery. His return timeline is unclear given that the nature of the injury itself remains murky. Geraldo Perdomo could fill in at shortstop until Ahmed returns.

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.