MLB Player News

O'Malley, who was competing for a utility job, was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma on Sunday, the Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times reports.

Luis Sardinas is the favorite to win the utility spot. O'Malley can play outfield, third base and second base, but he was weaker at shortstop, which the Mariners prioritized. He had a good spring, with 16 hits in 34 at-bats, six walks and four strikeouts. He'll likely be called up sometime this season when injuries hit.

Though Baez (thumb) hasn't played since March 20, he could still be ready by Opening Day, Carrie Muskat of the Cubs' official site reports. "It might be a short-term concern as far as when he can get out there again," manager Joe Maddon said Saturday of Baez. "I have not heard anything negative in a long-term sense."

Baez is hoping to make the team as a jack-of-all-trades backup, but it's still possible he'll need a short stint on the DL.

Seager reported no pain in his left knee after an extended workout on Thursday, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Seager compiled four at-bats in a minor league game but did not run out of the batter's box or play defense. He did run the bases and slide before the game, so things appear to be trending towards his being available for Opening Day.

Bogaerts cracked a homer in Thursday's game against the Mets. He went 2-for-3 with the homer and two RBI.

Bogaerts had a nice breakout season in 2015, but with just seven homers, the power has been the last thing to develop. It's not a knock on his game, but after hitting 12 homers in 2014, we were expecting more. The Red Sox are preaching patience with the 22-year-old shortstop, who improved his batting average 80 points between 2014 and 2015 at the expense of the long ball. At some point, we hope to see both elements of offense -- a .300 hitter with 15-20 homer potential at a premium position.

The White Sox reassigned Anderson to minor league camp Thursday, the Chicago Tribune reports.

This shan't be the last we hear from Anderson this season. Although he should start the year in the high-minors, he should press for the team's starting shortstop gig early in the summer (assuming the Jimmy Rollins/Tyler Saladino combo does not impress).

Baez attempted to play through a thumb injury but will need to sit out a few more days, Jesse Rogers of ESPN Chicago reports.

Baez has been dealing with the jammed thumb for about a week. It isn't expected to be a major issue, but Baez is just 6-for-30 (.200) this spring and could probably use as many as at-bats as he can squeeze in before the regular season starts.

Ciriaco has played his way into the utility infielder competition with a 1.036 OPS through 42 at-bats.

Ciriaco is competing with Hanser Alberto, with Alberto having an advantage of a spot on the 40-man roster, but Texas may ultimately elect to have Alberto play every day at Triple-A Round Rock and have the veteran Ciriaco remain in the majors. Neither player is expected to have a large role once the season begins.

Ahmed is hitting .429 (18-for-42) with one home run, eight runs scored and 11 RBI this spring.

Ahmed started 116 games at short for the Diamondbacks last year, but his grip on the position seemed to slip with the team's offseason acquisition of Jean Segura. However, manager Chip Hale said Ahmed would compete for time, and his strong spring play is helping his cause. Ahmed hit just .226 with an anemic .275 on-base percentage in 2015, but he is considered a plus defender.

The Padres reassigned Noonan to minor league camp Monday.

Noonan put pen to paper on a minor league contract with the Padres in mid-February, but an invitation to spring training didn't yield the desire outcome. Still, he slashed .278/.350/.333 with one RBI and six runs scored in 18 at-bats, which could help the middle infielder make an appearance in the majors at some point during the upcoming season.

Manager Dave Roberts relayed Sunday that Seager (knee) has received clearance for some throwing and hitting, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Seager endured an ignominious start to the spring when he was diagnosed with a mild sprain in his left knee. Expected to miss 1-2 weeks, he's drawing close to the upper bound of that timetable, though Roberts' statement implies that a return may be near. Indeed, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reported that Seager was seen running straight ahead and performing lateral agility fielding drills Sunday, which sheds light on the shortstop's current level of health.