MLB Player News

Crawford has been scratched from Friday's Cactus League game against the Athletics for undisclosed reasons, Corey Brock of The Athletic reports.

Crawford has been dealing with a shoulder issue in the past few days, but there's no word as to why the infielder is out of the lineup. Mason McCoy will start in his place. There should be an update on why Crawford is out of action before the conclusion of Friday's game.

Velazquez was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake by the Angels on Friday, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Velazquez is excellent defensively, but he holds a career .192/.240/.295 batting line in 530 total plate appearances at the MLB level. He played in 125 games for the Angels in 2022, and it's a better sign for the team's chances in 2023 that he will not be part of the Opening Day roster.

Marcano was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis by the Pirates on Friday.

Marcano has had a rough spring, going just 4-for-27 at the plate -- although that wasn't noticeably worse than the other competitors for the starting job at second base. He still has some upside left at just 23 but has really struggled during his time at the major-league level.

Downs (hand) is expected to come off the bench in the Nationals' Grapefruit League game Friday night against the Cardinals, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Downs has been held out of exhibition action for much of this week after suffering a left hand contusion on a hit-by-pitch, but he can now continue his charge toward the final spot on the bench in Washington. X-rays turned up negative for any fractures.

Bogaerts is wearing a splint on his left wrist after being given a cortisone shot to combat soreness, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The wrist issue is evidently something that usually bothers Bogaerts during spring training and isn't considered to be a big deal. The plan is for the shortstop to rest for two days before returning to play the final two Cactus League games ahead of Opening Day.

Volpe has been receiving support from "high-level voices" within the Yankees in his bid to make the Opening Day roster, Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reports.

Manager Aaron Boone allowed his players to "pound the table" for their favorite shortstop candidate earlier this week, per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, and it sounds like multiple veterans have Volpe's back. The 21-year-old was considered a long shot to make the team coming into camp, but he's put himself neck and neck with Oswald Peraza by slashing .279/.404/.535 with two homers and five steals in 15 Grapefruit League games. Volpe is leading off for the Yankees again in their split-squad game against the Twins on Friday.

Smith went 3-for-4 with a pair of run-scoring singles that netted three RBI, a double and a run in a Cactus League tie with the Rangers on Thursday.

Smith's torrid spring continued with his fourth multi-hit effort of Cactus League play, which pushed his average to .385 and his RBI total to 14. The 26-year-old does have 15 strikeouts in 46 plate appearances, but the upside he's flashed when putting the ball in play seemingly gives him job security as a reserve infielder who could progressively work himself into a solid amount of playing time.

Cruz has struck out 11 times in 44 at-bats during Grapefruit League play.

Cruz has only 10 hits this spring -- four of which have gone for extra bases -- but his improved ability to make contact is a positive sign. He struck out at a 34.9 percent clip across 361 plate appearances in the majors last season, but he regularly kept his punchouts within the range of 25 percent throughout his minor-league career. If his increased contact rate can carry over into the regular season, it's a good bet that Cruz will improve upon his .233 average while also providing plenty of home runs and stolen bases.

Downs was held out of the Nationals' Grapefruit League lineup Thursday due to a contusion on his left hand, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Downs suffered the injury when he was struck by a pitch earlier this week, but he should be fine within the next day or two after X-rays came back negative for any fractures. The former Red Sox prospect is fighting for the final spot on Washington's bench.

Edman is expected to receive starts in the leadoff spot for the Cardinals this season, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Denton lists Edman, Brendan Donovan and Lars Nootbaar as options for the leadoff spot. The switch-hitting Edman has dramatic splits with a career .829 OPS versus lefties and .701 OPS against righties. He could wind up batting leadoff when a southpaw is on the mound and drop to the No. 9 spot against right-handers.