MLB Player News

Leonard was optioned Monday to minor-league camp by the Dodgers.

Leonard has performed well in 21 plate appearances in the Cactus League with a .400/.429/.450 slash line and three RBI. The infielder will likely start the 2023 campaign in Double-A after hitting .264 with a .784 OPS and 15 homers for High-A Great Lakes in 2022.

Martinez was optioned to minor-league camp by the Blue Jays on Monday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Martinez has impressive power in his right-handed bat but has struggled to hit for average thus far in the professional ranks. He batted .203 with a 28.6 percent strikeout rate for Double-A New Hampshire last season but also clubbed 30 home runs. If he can keep the contact issues in check, he has a chance to be a strong fantasy option in the coming years.

Jimenez was optioned to minor-league camp by the Blue Jays on Monday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Jimenez is on the Blue Jays 40-man roster after being protected from the 2021 Rule 5 draft, but he has yet to play above High-A in his four seasons in the Toronto system. He should start the season Double-A with an outside shot of playing for the Blue Jays before the end of 2023.

Basabe was optioned to minor-league camp by the Rays on Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Basabe was added to the 40-man roster over the winter after a breakout 2022 season, though he was never a real option to make the Rays out of spring training. The 22-year-old did slash an impressive .324/.385/.462 with 21 steals last season, and even with Tampa Bay's impressive infield depth, he could be an option for the club at some point in 2023.

Boston optioned Hamilton to Triple-A Worcester on Monday.

The 25-year-old Hamilton may not be polished enough as a hitter to profile as a realistic everyday player for Boston down the road, but his elite speed was enough to earn a spot on the Red Sox's 40-man roster this offseason. After impressing in a small sample of action in the Grapefruit League -- Hamilton got on base at a .370 clip and went 5-for-5 on stolen-base attempts over his first 13 games -- he'll now get the chance to hone his skills with Boston's top minor-league affiliate to begin the 2023 season.

The Giants announced Monday that Crawford is experiencing left knee discomfort and will be held out of baseball activities for the next week, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Crawford's week-long shutdown period wouldn't be a major concern if it came during the early portion of spring training, but now that he's battling a knee issue with Opening Day just two and a half weeks away, the veteran shortstop's availability for the start of the season is suddenly more of a question mark. Thairo Estrada will start at shortstop in Monday's Cactus League game against the Padres, and he could continue to see more work at the position for the duration of spring training in preparation for the possibility of Crawford opening the season on the injured list.

Mariners manager Scott Servais said Monday that Crawford has a "soggy" right shoulder and will be limited to designated-hitter duties in Tuesday's Cactus League game versus the Royals, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Despite Servais' unique description of Crawford's injury, the shortstop isn't believed to be dealing with anything more than the typical soreness that often sets in for veteran players during the latter stages of spring training. The Mariners will take it easy on the 28-year-old by having him play DH on Tuesday, but he should be back in the field at shortstop before long to erase any concerns about his health heading into Opening Day.

The Rangers optioned Ornelas to Triple-A Round Rock on Monday.

Ornelas was added to the team's 40-man roster this offseason after a nice showing in 2022 at Double-A Frisco, and he's followed up with an .826 OPS this spring. However, 22-year-old is in need of more seasoning and will open the 2023 campaign with Round Rock.

Mauricio went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays.

Getting the start at shortstop and hitting ninth, Mauricio took Elvin Rodriguez deep in the fifth inning for his fourth homer of the spring. Mauricio's .304/.360/.870 slash line in camp is impressive, but the 21-year-old has yet play above Double-A and his ability to get on base once he reaches the majors is a major question mark -- he has a .296 OBP in nearly 1,000 plate appearances across the last two minor-league seasons. Even so, a quick start to his campaign at Triple-A this year could put him in line to make his MLB debut at some point over the summer.

Marte was optioned Sunday to Double-A Chattanooga by the Reds, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. Goldsmith further reports that the Reds intend to move Marte to third base. Reds manager David Bell said: "I do think third base is the right spot for him. Can he play short? Probably. He has done it. I think he's going to find a home at third base. I love the actions he has there, he has plenty of arm. I think it's going to be a good home."

Marte is one of the top names in the Cincinnati system, but he wasn't a candidate for the Opening Day roster. The former Seattle prospect will head to Chattanooga and could make his MLB debut over the summer with strong results at the upper levels of the minors.