MLB Player News

Anderson went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets.

Getting the start at shortstop and batting fifth, Anderson drove the first pitch he saw in the second inning from Tylor Megill the other way for his first long ball of the spring. The former White Sox shortstop saw his tenure in Chicago end with a whimper last season due in part to knee trouble, but the Marlins are hoping Anderson can re-discover the form that saw him win an American League batting title in 2019, when he slashed .335/.357/.508. Through seven Grapefruit League contests with Miami, the 30-year-old has gone 4-for-19 with a 0:6 BB:K.

Clement 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays.

The 27-year-old launched a two-run homer off Zach Eflin in the second inning before singling home another run off the Tampa right-hander in the third. Clement came into camp with a decent chance of winning the final spot on the Toronto bench due to the fact that he was out of minor-league options, but he's backed that up with a scorching spring that's seen him hit .400 (10-for-25) through nine games with a triple and two homers. Perhaps more impressively, he hasn't struck out once in 26 plate appearances. The Blue Jays have unsettled situations at both second base and third base, and if Clement carries his hot stick into the regular season, he could push his way into playing time at both spots.

The Tigers optioned Perez to Triple-A Toledo on Tuesday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Perez had a strong finish to his 2023 season at Toledo and will head back there for some more refinement. The 24-year-old has a shot to debut for the Tigers at some point during the 2024 campaign.

The Tigers optioned Leonard to Triple-A Toledo on Tuesday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Leonard entered camp seemingly with a shot to win a bench job and fared well this spring with a .984 OPS, but he'll nonetheless head to Toledo for now. The 23-year-old was acquired from the Dodgers last August.

Rosario could see more time in the outfield as a result of Jonny DeLuca's (hand) absence, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

DeLuca is projected to miss the first couple weeks of the regular season, while Josh Lowe (hip) is also currently sidelined. Even if Lowe returns, there's a potential for at-bats against left-handed pitchers to be available in right field. As a right-handed hitter, Rosario is arguably a better fit than lefty Richie Palacios.

Toronto optioned Jimenez to Triple-A Buffalo on Monday.

Jimenez went 2-for-12 with a 4:0 K:BB over nine games during Grapefruit League play. The 22-year-old struggled after reaching Buffalo for the first time last season, posting a .576 OPS in 18 contests. Jimenez is known for his on-base skills but has demonstrated a glaring lack of power at every stop of the minors.

The Angels optioned Paris to Triple-A Salt Lake on Monday.

Paris went just 5-for-23 at the dish over 12 games this spring. The 22-year-old skipped over Salt Lake when he was promoted last season but will head to the Angels' top affiliate to begin the 2024 campaign.

The Marlins optioned Amaya to Triple-A Jacksonville on Monday.

Amaya received a cup of coffee in the big leagues last June when the Marlins were short on healthy bodies in the infield, but he otherwise spent the bulk of the 2023 campaign at Jacksonville, where he slashed .252/.344/.406 with 15 home runs and six stolen bases across 567 plate appearances. The 25-year-old likely doesn't require much further developmental time in the minors, but it may take an injury to either of the Marlins' projected everyday starters in the middle infield -- Tim Anderson and Luis Arraez -- before Amaya gets an extended look in the majors.

The White Sox reassigned Montgomery to minor-league camp Monday, LaMond Pope of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Montgomery is considered the club's top prospect and could be ready to take over at shortstop for the White Sox sooner rather than later, but for now, he'll receive a bit more development time. The 22-year-old went 2-for-17 with six strikeouts in 11 Cactus League contests.

The Padres reassigned McCoy to minor-league camp Monday.

McCoy reached the big leagues for the first time in 2023 as a member of the Blue Jays, appearing in six games but logging just one plate appearances. He was moved off the Blue Jays' 40-man roster in September and caught on with the Padres on a minor-league deal in November, but the Friars likely don't envision the 28-year-old serving as anything more than organizational infield depth this season. McCoy is expected to report to Triple-A El Paso to begin the season.