MLB Player News

Ort (oblique) will throw a bullpen session Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Ort has progressed slowly but surely from an early-camp left oblique injury. The Astros don't appear to have officially ruled him out for Opening Day yet, but it seems unlikely that he will be ready.

The Astros optioned Whitcomb to minor-league camp Tuesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The Astros have an opening at second base with Jose Altuve expected to move to left field, but Whitcomb never seemed to be under any real consideration to start at the keystone. He'll begin the season at Triple-A Sugar Land, where he played every position other than center field, catcher and pitcher last season.

Salazar was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Yainer Diaz and Victor Caratini are locked in as Houston's top catchers, so it's no surprise Salazar will be opening the campaign at Triple-A. The 29-year-old had a .787 OPS in 12 regular-season games with the Astros last season and had a near-identical .788 mark in 78 contests for Sugar Land.

Alvarez was scratched from Tuesday's Grapefruit League lineup versus the Nationals due to right thumb soreness, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Alvarez banged up the thumb during batting practice Sunday, and while he played in the game that day, he arrived at the park Tuesday with some discomfort. Astros manager Joe Espada expects Alvarez to be ready to play Wednesday against the Mets.

Paris went 3-for-5 with two doubles, two runs and four RBI in Monday's Cactus League win over Arizona.

Paris doubled home a run in the second inning and cleared the bases with a three-run double in the ninth. The 23-year-old struggled mightily during stints in the majors each of the past two seasons, slashing a collective .100/.214/.165 with a 32.4 percent strikeout rate over 105 plate appearances. However, Paris worked on his swing mechanics during the offseason, and the results have been promising during the exhibition slate. He leads the Angels with 12 RBI during spring play and is slashing .364/.432/.697 with two home runs, 11 runs and three stolen bases. Paris has a chance of breaking camp with the big club, as Los Angeles will need to lean upon its infield depth early with Zach Neto (shoulder) expected to begin the campaign on the IL and Yoan Moncada (thumb) uncertain to be ready for Opening Day.

The Orioles reassigned Gordon to minor-league camp Tuesday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Gordon went just 3-for-28 at the dish this spring to ruin any chance he might have had to make the team as a utility player. He'll begin the season at Triple-A Norfolk.

The Orioles reassigned Basallo to minor-league camp Tuesday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Basallo made a nice impression during big-league camp in clubbing a couple home runs. The 20-year-old top prospect will split time between catcher and first base with Triple-A Norfolk and could push to make his major-league debut later this season.

The Orioles optioned Mayo to Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Mayo probably wasn't going to make the Opening Day roster no matter how well he played this spring, but he didn't help himself by slashing .190/.239/.262 with a 13:2 K:BB in 46 plate appearances. The top prospect will receive everyday reps back at Norfolk while waiting for an opportunity at the big-league level.

The Angels optioned Silseth to Triple-A Salt Lake on Tuesday.

Silseth entered camp with a chance to win the fifth spot in the rotation, but he didn't pitch well, allowing 16 runs (15 earned) while walking 10 over 13 Cactus League innings. The competition for the final spot in the Angels rotation is now down to Reid Detmers and Jack Kochanowicz.

The Twins reassigned Ynoa to minor-league camp Tuesday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Ynoa made 31 appearances (24 starts) in the majors for Atlanta from 2019 through 2022, but he hasn't seen big-league action since while missing extensive time due to Tommy John surgery and a shoulder injury. The 26-year-old righty linked up with the Twins on a minor-league deal in December and has enjoyed good health in the spring, but his mediocre numbers in the Grapefruit League (5.79 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 4:2 K:BB in 4.2 innings) prevented him from making a serious run at an Opening Day roster spot. Ynoa worked one inning or less in each of his five spring appearances, perhaps signaling that the Twins intend to deploy him out of the bullpen at Triple-A St. Paul after he had mostly been used as a starter during his time in the Atlanta organization.