MLB Player News

The Phillies optioned Stevenson to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday.

Stevenson will end the spring with a .179/.313/.333 slash line to go along with 19 strikeouts in 39 at-bats. He'll look to get back on track in the minors, but his career .514 OPS doesn't inspire much confidence in his ability to produce in the majors if he gets called up to Philly.

Gurriel went 3-for-4 with a home run, four RBI and an additional run scored in Friday's spring game against Milwaukee.

Gurriel swatted his first Cactus League homer in the first inning and is heating up as camp nears its end. He's hit in four consecutive games, going 8-for-13 with two extra-base hits and seven RBI. Gurriel is expected to serve as the Diamondbacks' primary left fielder, the same role he held during his first two seasons with Arizona.

Burnes allowed eight runs (seven earned) on 11 hits while striking out five over 2.2 innings in Friday's spring start against the Brewers.

This outing came out of nowhere, as Burnes had breezed through his first five Cactus League starts before the Brewers knocked him around. He ran his pitch count to 75 in his spring finale. Burnes later told Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports that he was having trouble commanding his cutter. The right-hander should make his next start during the team's season-opening series against the Cubs, though nothing has been set beyond Opening Day starter Zac Gallen.

Alexander (oblique) has started baseball activities, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

The activities include throwing and hitting off a tee. Alexander has been held out of Cactus League action since suffering a right oblique strain at the end of February.

Smith was removed from Friday's Cactus League game against Milwaukee with a right wrist contusion.

It's unclear how or when Smith bruised his wrist, but he was pinch hit for in the fourth inning after going 0-for-2 with a strikeout. His injury doesn't seem too serious, so he should still be ready to go for Opening Day.

Lux started at third base and went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Friday's spring game against Seattle.

Lux poked his first Cactus League homer in the second inning and has an .858 OPS through 16 spring games. He's played a lot of third base (11 starts) and figures to see ample time there in the regular season along with starts at second base and in left field. However, it may take a while to determine a pattern of who plays and when. Jeimer Candelario is expected to share third base with Lux and first base with Christian Encarnacion-Strand. Corner infield will get muddier once Spencer Steer (shoulder) is ready to play the field.

Encarnacion jammed his left ring finger while making a diving play during Friday's spring game against the Guardians and is slated to have X-rays, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Manager Bob Melvin said after the game that Encarnacion will receive X-rays on his hand/finger, which will help determine how much time the 27-year-old will miss. If he ends up having to sit out the start of the regular season, Wilmer Flores would be the leading candidate to receive more DH opportunities.

Greene allowed three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out seven over five innings in Friday's spring start against the Mariners.

Greene made his final start of the Cactus League season, throwing 84 pitches (52 strikes). He finished the spring with a 5.57 ERA over six starts and 21 innings. Greene will next take the ball Opening Day against the Giants on March 27.

Myers (oblique) began playing catch Friday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Myers was diagnosed with a left oblique strain Monday after making an early exit from his Cactus League start Saturday, though manager Pat Murphy said the results of Myers' MRI were better than the team expected. The 26-year-old is now already back to throwing and didn't feel any discomfort while playing catch, which bodes well for his chances of joining the Brewers' rotation before the end of April.

Steer (shoulder) made three plate appearances in a minor-league game Thursday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Steer, who tested the shoulder earlier this week by throwing, took another step in his recovery Thursday, participating in his first game action of any kind since Feb. 27. He believes he'll be ready to start the regular season as a designated hitter but would be unable to play a position. Steer followed up Thursday's activity by taking more swings against reliever Scott Barlow. While he may be able to swing a bat in time for the regular season, Steer has about 20 spring at-bats, only seven of which have been in Cactus League play. He normally prefers about 50 at-bats.