MLB Player News

Ahmed (knee) took at-bats Monday against teammate Luke Weaver at the Diamondbacks' spring facility, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Ahmed hasn't appeared in any Cactus League games since March 6 due to a sore right knee, but his activity Monday would seem to hint that he could soon rejoin the Diamondbacks' spring lineup. Since Opening Day is still two weeks away, Ahmed still has sufficient time to get up to full speed.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Downs is feeling "OK" after injuring his left side in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Cora didn't suggest that Downs would require an MRI, so the 22-year-old appears to have avoided a more serious injury such as an oblique strain. The Red Sox are viewing Downs as day-to-day, but he looks like he'll have a chance to return to the spring lineup later this week.

Bogaerts (shoulder) is pushing hard to play shortstop Wednesday against the Twins, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Bogaerts was the designated hitter Sunday and will DH again Tuesday. If he doesn't get onto the field on his target date of Wednesday, it sounds like that should be coming any day now. He is tracking toward being in the lineup on Opening Day.

Witt is hitting .333/.379/.667 with three home runs, six strikeouts and two walks through 27 at-bats this spring.

Witt, who turns 21 in June, has been the talk of Royals camp and has earned glowing reviews from those inside and outside the organization. While he lacks experience in a full-season league, the normal rules may not apply here. Witt was a standout last summer at the alternate training site and looks like one of Kansas City's best position players this spring, so he could debut this season.

The Rays reassigned Franco to their minor-league camp Monday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Tampa Bay's demotion of its top prospect doesn't come as a major surprise, as Franco was always expected to get a little more seasoning in the upper levels of the minors before making his MLB debut at some point later this season. Franco made a positive impression over his seven games with the Rays during the Grapefruit League slate, going 5-for-17 with a home run.

Chang appears to be the leading candidate to win a utility role this spring, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports. He's hitting .294 (5-for-17) with three home runs this spring.

With the trade of Mike Freeman to the Reds, it looks like Chang will begin the season on the big-league roster. If he can carry his strong showing at the plate into the regular season, it's not out of the question Cleveland could find a way to get him more at-bats.

Marcano started in center field Sunday against the Reds and went 0-for-2 with a walk and a run. He has also played right field, left field, second base, third base and shortstop this spring.

In addition to playing all over the field, Marcano has also been getting it done at the plate, slashing .368/.429/.632 with a home run and three RBI. The 21-year-old isn't likely to break camp with the club, but he is certainly turning heads in the organization. Marcano hasn't logged time in the outfield thus far in his minor-league career, but he has played over 40 games at three different infield positions (second base, shortstop and third base).

Cruz went 0-for-1 with a walk and run scored in Sunday's loss to Philadelphia.

He has just one hit and two walks in 19 spring at-bats. Despite talks of moving the 22-year-old to the outfield, Cruz has primarily played shortstop on defense this spring, making only two appearances in center field. He's likely ticketed for Triple-A Indianapolis in an effort to gain experience in the upper minors before potentially making his MLB debut later this summer.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Downs was removed from Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins due to a left side injury, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Cora acknowledged the possibility that Downs might be dealing with an oblique strain, but the Red Sox training staff will likely put the middle-infield prospect through more tests before a firmer diagnosis is made. Downs picked up the injury when he dove after a ball while playing shortstop.

Downs left Sunday's spring game against the Twins after a dive attempt during the seventh inning, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

The 22-year-old came off the bench Sunday but didn't have a plate appearance after suffering the injury in the field. Downs was able to leave the field under his own power, so it may not end up being a serious issue.