MLB Player News

The Guardians optioned Brennan to Triple-A Columbus on Monday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Brennan seemed to be in good position to open the season in the strong side of a platoon in right field, but the Guardians' acquisition of Nolan Jones over the weekend ended Brennan's hopes of breaking camp with the big club. The 27-year-old should be in line for steady at-bats with Columbus while he awaits another opportunity with the big club.

Astros manager Joe Espada said that Walker (oblique) played six innings on defense and hit a home run during a simulated game Monday, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Espada added that Walker remains on track to be ready to roll for Opening Day on Thursday against the Mets. Walker played only four Grapefruit League contests due to left oblique soreness but has been getting in some at-bats in minor-league games to prep for the start of the regular season.

Pasquantino (hamstring) is not in the lineup for Monday's Cactus League contest versus the Rangers, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.

Pasquantino strained his right hamstring during Saturday's Cactus League game. While the first baseman has downplayed the injury, he might need to show he can play in the Royals' final exhibition tilt Tuesday before being cleared to play Opening Day. If Pasquantino isn't ready to play at the start of the season, the Royals could use Salvador Perez and/or Mark Canha at first base.

Seager is out of the lineup for Monday's exhibition game against the Royals due to a sore calf, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

Manager Bruce Bochy said the calf issue is nothing serious, but Seager's absence from a lineup that includes most of the Rangers' projected starters nonetheless raises some concern. Seager could be back in action for Tuesday's exhibition finale against the Royals, but if not, his status will need to monitored leading up to Thursday's season opener versus the Red Sox.

The Royals selected Canha's contract from Triple-A Omaha on Monday.

Canha was acquired via trade from the Brewers last week with the anticipation that he would be added to the roster, and the Royals have now made that move official. The 36-year-old should operate mostly in a reserve role, although he might see some starts at first base early on if Vinnie Pasquantino (hamstring) has to miss time.

The Rays reassigned Hernandez to minor-league camp Monday.

Hernandez is likely to begin the season at Triple-A Durham after falling short in his bid for a spot in Tampa Bay's Opening Day bullpen. The hard-throwing right-hander previously recorded four saves while filling a high-leverage relief role for Texas during the 2022 season, but control problems kept him from having much success in the majors over the subsequent two seasons.

The Blue Jays optioned Berroa to Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday.

Berroa went 10-for-36 with one home run and three stolen bases this spring but failed to net a spot on the Opening Day roster. The 25-year-old will play all three outfield spots at Buffalo.

The Mariners optioned Hunt to Triple-A Tacoma on Sunday.

The Mariners are set at catcher between Cal Raleigh and Mitch Garver, so Hunt will begin the season with Tacoma even though he went 10-for-20 with two homers this spring. The 26-year-old has not appeared in a game at the big-league level.

The Yankees re-signed Jackson to a minor-league contract Sunday.

Jackson opted out of his minor-league deal with the Yankees after being told he was not going to make the Opening Day roster, but he was quickly re-signed to a new minor-league pact. He will provide catching depth at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Brash (elbow) will make his Cactus League debut Monday against the Padres, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reports.

It will be the first game appearance for Brash since last May's internal brace procedure. The hard-throwing reliever remains on track to make his season debut for the Mariners around May 1. As long as his pre-surgery stuff is intact, Brash should fill a high-leverage role in Seattle's bullpen.