MLB Player News

Williams is expected to make the Opening Day roster after Liover Peguero was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Ji Hwan Bae (hip) is also sidelined and could be headed for an injured list stint to begin the regular season. That leaves Williams as Pittsburgh's projected primary backup in the middle infield. His primary asset is his glove, so even on days when Williams is in the lineup, he doesn't project to have much fantasy appeal.

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

Peguero entered spring camp as the Pirates' likely Opening Day second baseman, but he will instead head to the minors after going 7-for-26 with three RBI. With the 23-year-old in Triple-A, Jared Triolo figures to take over at second base, but Peguero could reclaim his spot if he gets off to a fast start in Indianapolis.

The Angels optioned Soto to minor-league camp Friday.

Soto was briefly off the Angels' 40-man roster this offseason and never had a realistic chance of making the Opening Day roster. He had a .736 OPS in 79 games at Triple-A Salt Lake last season and will likely return to the affiliate to begin 2024.

Guardians manager Stephen Vogt announced Friday that Brayan Rocchio will begin the season as the club's primary shortstop, pushing Arias into a utility role, Tom Withers of the Associated Pressreports.

Arias had a chance to win the shortstop job but posted a .623 OPS across 37 plate appearances during spring training. The 24-year-old will still make the roster as a utility option, but he likely won't see enough playing time to be relevant in most fantasy formats.

Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said Friday that Rocchio will begin the season receiving the "bulk" of the playing time at shortstop, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.

The 23-year-old is one of Cleveland's top prospects and had a decent showing during spring training with a .270/.308/.459 slash line in 13 games. Rocchio hit just seven home runs in 116 games at Triple-A Columbus last season, but he hit .280, stole 25 bases and had a 60:66 BB:K, so he could get on base enough to provide fantasy managers some value on the basepaths.

Merrill went 2-for-5 with a double and scored two runs in Thursday's 15-11 win over the Dodgers in the second game of the Seoul Series.

After going hitless in his first MLB game Wednesday, Merrill collected his first big-league knock with a third-inning single off Michael Grove on Thursday. The rookie added a leadoff double in the fifth frame, and he came around to score following both of his hits. Merrill has gone 2-for-8 with three strikeouts through two contests, and he could have a moderately long leash in center field given the team's lack of outfield depth this season.

Hamilton was optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Thursday.

Hamilton made a brief big-league debut in 2023 and struggled to a .121/.256/.182 line across only 39 plate appearances. He's been a prolific base stealer at every minor-league level, which makes him a name to monitor should he get another chance in Boston.

Mateo was informed Thursday he will be a member of the Orioles' Opening Day roster, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Mateo will be a part of the major-league roster to open the 2024 campaign according to manager Brandon Hyde. The shortstop produced an impressive .343 average with two homers, eight RBI, six runs and a stolen base over 35 at-bats in 14 games this spring. With Gunnar Henderson likely to handle the majority of the work at shortstop this season, Mateo will seemingly operate as a utility option to begin 2024.

Peguero (illness) is starting at second base in Thursday's spring game against Toronto.

Peguero has been out of action since March 13 due to a virus, but his illness appears to have subsided ahead of Thursday's contest. Peguero went 7-for-24 with a homer and three RBI during Grapefruit League play before getting sick, and he remains the favorite to start at second base on Opening Day.

Lee was removed from Thursday's Grapefruit League game versus the Nationals due to a lower-back spasm, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Lee grounded into a double play in his lone plate appearance before exiting. Consider the young infielder day-to-day for the time being. Lee is expected to begin the season at Triple-A St. Paul.