MLB Player News

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.

Martinez was reassigned to minor-league camp Monday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Martinez had a very productive spring with the Blue Jays, posting a .308/.400/.923 slash while hitting two homers and driving in four runs. Additionally, his 1.323 OPS ranked towards the top of his team. Jon Morosi of MLB Network notes that the club plans to use him at shortstop and third base while in the minors this season, but it's also a possibility that he could see time at second base due to there being a clearer path to the big leagues at the keystone.

Allen was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Sunday.

Allen made a strong case for an Opening Day roster spot this spring by going 6-for-12 with a home run, two triples, three runs, three walks and three strikeouts across seven Cactus League games. While he'll head to Las Vegas to begin the regular season, the 23-year-old is a strong candidate to make his major-league debut for the rebuilding Athletics if he performs well in the minors early in the year.

Ahmed is dealing with shoulder discomfort and will undergo an MRI to understand the extent of the injury, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

It's the same injury that caused Ahmed to miss the final two weeks of the 2021 season, which creates clear concern for his availability to begin the new campaign. He had a cortisone shot and PRP injection at some point after the initial issue arose, so he may have to undergo a procedure to ultimately return to full health. Ahmed was penciled in as the team's starting shortstop, and his absence would likely open up more opportunity for Geraldo Perdomo.

Williams was traded from the Phillies to the Giants in exchange for Will Toffey on Sunday.

Williams was recently designated for assignment by the Phillies, so he'll have the chance for a change of scenery with this trade. He reached the majors for the first time in his career in 2021 and managed a .245/.315/.316 line across 108 plate appearances. Williams is likely to start the season at Triple-A, though the Giants may have a need for right-handed bats in the outfield at some point in the 2022 campaign.

Tena was optioned to minor-league camp Sunday.

Tena was added to the Guardians' 40-man roster in November but never had a realistic chance to make the Opening Day roster. He spent the 2021 campaign at High-A Lake County, where he hit .281/.331/.467 with 16 home runs, 25 doubles, 58 RBI and 10 stolen bases in 107 games.

Rocchio was optioned to minor-league camp Sunday.

Rocchio was added to Cleveland's 40-man roster in November and will now head to the minor-league side of spring training after opening with the big club. The 21-year-old shortstop, who is the Guardians' top prospect, received a promotion to Double-A Arkansas last season and hit .293/.360/.505 with six home runs, 34 runs, 30 RBI and seven stolen bases in 44 games.

Duran was optioned to Double-A Frisco on Sunday.

Duran had his contract selected by the Rangers in November and was with the big-league club to open spring training, but he never had a realistic chance to make the Opening Day roster given he spent the 2021 campaign at the High-A level. He was acquired from the Yankees last season and hit .267/.342/.486 with 19 home runs, 79 RBI and 19 stolen bases in 105 games.

Story (personal) is expected to rejoin the Red Sox on Monday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Story has been away for the birth of his child, which in turn pushed back his debut with the team. Though Boston doesn't have a spring training game scheduled Monday, Story is expected to participate in an intrasquad contest, and he will likely debut in Grapefruit League action by the close of the week. Notably, manager Alex Cora said Story could receive extra days off early in the regular season as he gets fully ramped up.