MLB Player News

Arias could be the favorite to capture the Guardians' second-base job, Mandy Bell and Tim Stebbins of MLB.com report.

The Guardians have held an open competition at second base to replace Andres Gimenez, who was traded to the Blue Jays this offseason. Arias is out of minor-league options and has had a decent spring with a .758 OPS and one home run, which might be enough to put him at the top of the pecking order. However, Juan Brito, Tyler Freeman, Daniel Schneemann and Angel Martinez remain in the mix and nothing has been decided yet. Ultimately, manager Stephen Vogt could have something of a committee approach at second base.

Abrams was removed from Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros in the bottom of the first inning due to an apparent injury, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

After leading off the inning with a triple, Abrams appeared to crouch down in discomfort once he reached third base. He motioned to the team trainer to examine him, and after a brief checkup, Abrams was pulled from the contest. The Nationals should provide more details on Abrams' injury later Wednesday.

The Mariners reassigned Emerson to minor-league camp Wednesday, Shannon Drayer of SeattleSports.com reports.

The 19-year-old Emerson went just 2-for-17 at the plate this spring but hit a home run and stole a couple bases. Arguably the team's top prospect, Emerson finished the 2024 season at High-A Everett and could head back there to start out the 2025 campaign.

The Rockies optioned Amador to Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday.

Amador surprisingly made the jump from Double-A Hartford to the majors last June, but he slashed just .171/.194/.200 over 10 games with the Rockies before being shut down with a right oblique strain. Once healthy, he was optioned back to Hartford, where he finished the season with a .227/.341/.373 slash line to go with 14 home runs and 35 stolen bases across 453 plate appearances. Though the Rockies non-tendered Brendan Rodgers in November, the team brought in Thairo Estrada on a one-year deal later in the offseason, and he projects to open the season as Colorado's everyday second baseman. However, given the minimal investment in Estrada, the Rockies likely won't hesitate to open up a full-time role for Amador once the organization is confident that he's ready for another look in the big leagues.

Meidroth (calf) will start at shortstop and bat leadoff in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Angels, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Meidroth will return to action for the first time since Saturday, when he exited early in a game against the Dodgers due to calf cramps. The brief absence shouldn't dramatically derail Meidroth's chances of making the White Sox's Opening Day roster, which may have improved after Chicago sent infield prospect Colson Montgomery to Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday. Brooks Baldwin now looks to be Meidroth's primary competition for the starting shortstop gig, though the White Sox may prefer to deploy Baldwin as a utility man since he's also seen action at second base and in center field this spring.

Perez (back) remains out of the lineup for Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

The expectation was that Perez would return to the lineup Wednesday after sitting out for over a week due to lower-back tightness. However, the 25-year-old remains out, and it's fair to question at this point whether Perez will have enough time to get ready for the start of the season. Opening Day is just over two weeks away and Perez has logged only 14 at-bats this spring.

Bliss could be in the "pole position" to win Seattle's starting job at second base, according to Daniel Kramer of MLB.com.

Bliss is making a serious case to begin the season atop the depth chart at second base, batting .300 with four extra-base hits, two RBI and two stolen bases over 20 at-bats (nine games) in Cactus League action. Kramer also notes the Mariners may be inclined to have Dylan Moore take on more of a super-utility role, which wouldn't restrict the veteran to one particular spot on the diamond. Moore has also gone just 1-for-22 during spring training, leaving the door open for Bliss to potentially win the primary gig at the keystone.

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

The 23-year-old had a strong showing in big-league camp with a 1.178 OPS in 12 spring games, but he'll begin the campaign at the Triple-A level. Cheng received a promotion to Indianapolis late last season but spent most of the year at Double-A Altoona, where he had a .218/.320/.341 slash line in 126 contests.

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

Peguero had been among the field battling for a spot on the Pirates' bench to begin the regular season, but going 2-for-15 with a home run in 10 games won't be enough to crack the Opening Day roster. Until the 24-year-old's bat improves, he's likely destined to spend most of his time in Triple-A, though he may be promoted throughout the season to provide Pittsburgh with some fresh legs off the bench.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Tuesday that he expects Story (back) to return to the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Twins, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Story's back tightened up on him Tuesday while he was taking pregame grounders, forcing him to be scratched from the lineup. However, there is no concern about the injury and it sounds like it will be just a one-day absence. Story has had a superb spring training thus far, collecting a 1.355 OPS with two home runs.