MLB Player News

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.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Tuesday that Shaw will travel with the team for their two-game series against the Dodgers in Tokyo on March 18 and 19, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

The Cubs and Dodgers are allowed a 31-man travel roster, so while Counsell's declaration doesn't necessarily mean Shaw will be the team's Opening Day third baseman, it would be a surprise if that's not the case. Shaw got a late start to spring training due to an oblique injury that's limited him to only five games, but he's healthy now and reached base in all three of his plate appearances Monday versus the Guardians. The 23-year-old slashed .284/.379/.488 with 21 home runs and 31 stolen bases between Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa last season and has a chance to be a big fantasy contributor right out of the gate.

Arcia has gone 1-for-15 (.067) over nine Grapefruit league appearances this spring.

The shortstop is better known for his glove, but Arcia has slugged 17 homers in each of the last two regular seasons, even if his OPS dropped from .741 in 2023 to .625 last year. The 30-year-old hasn't yet found his timing in camp, but his job wouldn't seem to be in any jeopardy, especially given the limited options behind him in the system. A healthy Nacho Alvarez might have made a push, but the 21-year-old has been dealing with a wrist injury this spring.

The White Sox optioned Montgomery to Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday.

Montgomery entered camp with an opportunity to win the White Sox' shortstop job, but he's been limited to only four games this spring due to a back issue. The 23-year-old is healthy now, having returned to action Sunday; however, he will begin the season back at Charlotte, where he produced a .214/.329/.381 batting line in 2024. The competition for Chicago's shortstop job now looks to be down to Brooks Baldwin, Chase Meidroth and Jacob Amaya.

The Red Sox scratched Story from the lineup for Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies due to mild upper-back tightness, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Marcelo Mayer will start at shortstop in place of Story, whose removal from the lineup has been described as precautionary. Story -- who has gone 11-for-24 with a pair of home runs so far this spring -- can be viewed as day-to-day. He'll have plenty of time to move past the back issue before the Red Sox open their season March 27 in Texas.

Perez (back) will return to the lineup for Wednesday's Grapefruit League contest against the Rays, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Perez last played on March 2, but the lower-back tightness he's dealt with appears to have gone away. The 25-year-old has a good chance to open the season with a regular role for the Tigers while Matt Vierling (shoulder) and possibly Parker Meadows (arm) are sidelined.