MLB Player News

The Giants optioned Luciano to Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday.

Luciano came into spring training as the favorite to win the Giants' shortstop job, but he missed some time with an injury and the club eventually signed Nick Ahmed, who ended up claiming the job. The 22-year-old could still eventually push to take over at shortstop with the big club this season, but for now, he'll go to Sacramento.

Atlanta placed Perdomo (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Thursday, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Perdomo is recovering from the Tommy John surgery he underwent last fall and is likely to eventually be shifted to the 60-day IL when Atlanta needs to open up a spot on the 40-man roster. He's not expected to be ready to pitch in games until 2025.

Atlanta selected Chavez's contract from Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Chavez was inked to a minor-league deal earlier this week with the expectation that he would eventually be added to the big-league roster. The veteran reliever should operate in a long relief role with Atlanta.

De La Cruz will start at shortstop and bat sixth in Thursday's season opener against the Nationals.

De La Cruz hit second often for the Reds this spring and manager David Bell had indicated that's where he was leaning toward putting the youngster. However, the skipper ultimately settled on Will Benson in the two hole and De La Cruz lower in the batting order. It's not great news for De La Cruz's immediate fantasy prospects, but he's certainly capable of hitting his way up higher in the lineup.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday that Rojas will get some starts at shortstop against left-handed pitchers, but he won't be part of a strict platoon, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Rojas got the bulk of playing time at shortstop last year after Gavin Lux tore his ACL in spring training and was lost for the season, and he finished the campaign with a .236/.290/.322 slash line along with five homers, 31 RBI, 49 runs and eight steals. With Lux back in the fold for 2024, Rojas is slated to work in a reserve role, with Lux starting at second base and Mookie Betts taking over at shortstop. When the Dodgers go up against southpaws, Betts will sometimes slide over to second while Rojas gets an opportunity at shortstop, but Roberts' comments make it clear that this won't be more than an occasional lineup change.

Benson will start in center field and bat second in Thursday's season opener against the Nationals.

Manager David Bell indicated previously that Elly De La Cruz could be in the two hole at the beginning of the season, but it will be Benson there while De La Cruz is down in the six spot. Bell's lineups could be fluid, but if Benson sticks in the second spot against righties it would be a nice boost to his fantasy outlook.

Martini will serve as the Reds' designated hitter and No. 8 batter in Thursday's season opener versus the Nationals.

At least against right-handed pitching, Martini looks like he'll get the first opportunity to fill the lineup spot that was opened up by TJ Friedl (wrist) and Matt McLain (shoulder) beginning the season the injured list and by Noelvi Martin serving an 80-game suspension to begin the season. Though the Reds' logjam in the infield and outfield is alleviated to some degree by those absent players, the lefty-hitting Martini will still likely need to find some early success against right-handed pitching to ensure he sticks in a strong-side platoon role. Over 361 career plate appearances versus righties, Martini has slashed .288/.380/.449 with eight home runs.

The Marlins optioned Maldonado to Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday.

After posting a 1.76 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 71:21 K:BB in 46 innings at Jacksonville in 2023, Maldonado was shielded from the Rule 5 Draft over the winter and added to the Marlins' 40-man roster. He appeared to enter spring training with a legitimate chance at winning a spot on the Marlins' Opening Day roster, but despite limiting batters to a .158 average and permitting just one run while striking out eight over six innings in the Grapefruit League, Maldonado wasn't able to break camp with the club. The right-hander will likely begin the season as Jacksonville's closer and might not have to wait long before he gets his first call to the big leagues.

The Marlins optioned Faucher to Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday.

Faucher had been projected to be a part of the Marlins' Opening Day bullpen, but Miami's acquisition Wednesday of right-hander Burch Smith likely left Faucher on the outside looking in for a spot on the 26-man active roster. The 28-year-old right-hander should handle a key late-inning role with New Orleans and will look to impress at Triple-A with the hope of making his Miami debut at some point this season.

Ortiz will begin the season as a long reliever in the bullpen, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

The 25-year-old made a solid case for a rotation spot during spring training with a 3.46 ERA, and 15:7 K:BB across 13 innings, but Bailey Falter and Jared Jones will begin the campaign as Pittsburgh's Nos. 4 and 5 starters. Ortiz should remain stretched out and should see some action as a bulk reliever, especially as a right-handed complement to lefties like Martin Perez and Marco Gonzales.