MLB Player News

The Phillies optioned Castro to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday.

Castro was a longshot to make the Phillies' Opening Day roster following the signing of Whit Merrifield, and the former's .646 OPS over 32 plate appearances during spring training didn't help his chances. The 24-year-old played in 92 games between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh last season but had a .211/.297/.322 slash line and 28.9 percent strikeout rate.

The Phillies optioned Castillo to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

A waiver claim last month, Castillo was roughed up this spring, yielding eight runs on 15 hits and three walks over 11 innings. He should be part of Lehigh Valley's rotation at the beginning of the season.

The Phillies optioned Allard to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday.

The 26-year-old joined the Phillies on a one-year, $1 million contract in January, but he'll unsurprisingly begin the campaign at Lehigh Valley since he still has a minor-league option. Allard missed the second half of last season due to left shoulder nerve irritation and made just six appearances between the majors and Triple-A.

Matos is unlikely to make the Opening Day roster, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

If this were a true meritocracy, Matos, who is slashing .256/.326/.615 with three home runs, one steal and an 11.6 percent strikeout rate in 43 plate appearances this spring, would likely make the team as a starter over one of Michael Conforto or Mike Yastrzemski. However, Conforto is due $18 million this year and Yastrzemski is earning $7.9 million this year via arbitration. The Giants could keep Matos on the roster in a part-time role, but Austin Slater is already ticketed for fourth outfielder duty and Tyler Fitzgerald is expected to get the final bench spot due to his defensive versatility. If an outfield spot opens up due to an injury or poor performance early in the season, Matos would be the obvious candidate to get the call.

McNeil (biceps) is starting at second base and batting cleanup in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Discomfort in his left biceps has kept McNeil out of Grapefruit League action thus far, but he'll make his spring debut Tuesday after playing five frames in a minor-league game over the weekend. The 31-year-old is poised to open the campaign as the Mets' primary second baseman and will get in a few game appearances ahead of the March 28 opener versus Milwaukee.

Reds manager David Bell said Tuesday that Fraley (groin) is expected to be fine, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Fraley had to be pulled from Monday's Cactus League game against the Giants after a foul tip struck him in the groin area. While it was no doubt a painful incident for the outfielder, it's not a long-term concern.

Reds manager David Bell said Tuesday that McLain (shoulder) is expected to be fine, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

McLain had to be scratched from Monday's lineup with left shoulder soreness, but it sounds like the Reds were just being cautious. He's tentatively listed to return to action Wednesday, although Bell noted that they might choose to give McLain an additional day just to be safe. McLain has been limited to just five games this spring because of oblique and now shoulder problems, and he's 0-for-13 with seven strikeouts in those contests.

The Brewers optioned Miller to Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday, Sophia Minnaert of Bally Sports Wisconsin reports.

Miller moved between the majors and minors with the Brewers last season and had a .674 OPS in 90 big-league games. Barring some infield injuries for Milwaukee late in camp, the 27-year-old will open 2024 at Nashville, where he had a .283/.336/.472 slash line last year.

The Brewers re-assigned Gasser to minor-league camp Tuesday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

While he didn't wind up cracking the Opening Day rotation, Gasser impressed this spring and seems poised to get a shot with the big club before long. The southpaw permitted three runs with an 11:2 K:BB over 10 innings during Cactus League action. He'll join Triple-A Nashville's rotation for now.

The Brewers reassigned Black to minor-league camp Tuesday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Black entered camp seemingly with a shot to win a wide-open competition at third base, but that job looks as though it could go to Joey Ortiz to begin the season. The top prospect could still get a look with the big club sooner rather than later if he can get off to a nice start at Triple-A Nashville.