MLB Player News

Gurriel (hand) will bat third and start in left field in Sunday's Cactus League game against the Dodgers, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Gurriel exited Friday's 7-5 win over the Cubs after taking a pitch off his left hand during an at-bat, but X-rays cleared him of any structural damage. A day off Saturday appears to be all Gurriel needed for the soreness in his hand to subside.

Ginkel (elbow) gave up one earned run on one hit over an inning of relief Friday in the Diamondbacks' 7-5 win over the Cubs in Cactus League play.

Ginkel served up a solo home run to Mike Tauchman but otherwise escaped the fourth inning unscathed in his first action of spring training. Arizona had eased Ginkel into its spring pitching schedule after he reported elbow soreness early in camp, but as a reliever who typically works only one inning per appearance, he won't require much ramp-up time ahead of Opening Day.

Ahmed is now ahead of Marco Luciano for the starting job at shortstop, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Ahmed has enjoyed a torrid start to the spring since signing a minor-league deal with the Giants on Feb. 26. He's gone 5-for-9 with two home runs, five RBI, five runs and two walks over four Cactus League games. That's far better than Luciano's 1-for-14 (.071) mark with nine strikeouts over six contests. Ahmed also provides veteran experience and solid defense, while Luciano has struggled in the field in spring games. Ahmed's chances of keeping up this pace are low -- he slashed .212/.257/.303 with just two home runs over 72 contests last season with the Diamondbacks before he was released in September.

Jefferies is a candidate to fill a swingman role for the Giants early in 2024, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Jefferies is a non-roster invitee in the Giants' camp, but he's done well so far. He's allowed two runs on five hits over four innings, striking out five and walking none. Jefferies' role is far from set in stone -- he could be a candidate for spot starts given the uncertainty around the Giants' rotation with Keaton Winn (elbow) struggling to get up to speed, Alex Cobb (hip) still on the mend, and Tristan Beck (arm) expected to miss multiple months. Nonetheless, Jefferies seems to have a realistic path to the major-league roster.

The Diamondbacks optioned Martinez to Triple-A Reno on Sunday.

Martinez was one of seven players sent packing Sunday as Arizona reduced its group at major-league camp to 46 men. The team's decision to cut Martinez comes as little surprise after he struggled mightily in his first exposure to the big leagues in 2023, when he posted a 12.60 ERA and 2.40 WHIP over 10 innings out of the Arizona bullpen.

Mena was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Sunday.

Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen said in early February that Mena is "not a finished product" and was likely to begin the campaign at Triple-A, so this move was to be expected. The 21-year-old spent most of 2023 at Double-A Birmingham and had a 4.66 ERA and 1.35 WHIP over 114 innings, but he showcased his strikeout potential with a 10.7 K/9.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that Treinen has a bruised lung but was cleared of any fractures to his ribs after undergoing X-rays, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Treinen sustained the injury Saturday when he took a comebacker off his chest in his Cactus League appearance against the Rangers. Roberts said Sunday that Treinen's bruised lung isn't as serious as it sounds, and the Dodgers are still preparing for the veteran reliever to play catch Monday and throw a bullpen session Wednesday. If Treinen checks out fine following the side session, he could be available for the Dodgers' season-opening series in South Korea versus the Padres on March 20 and 21.

Strzelecki was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Sunday.

The right-hander was acquired by the Diamondbacks from the Brewers at the deadline last summer but made just one big-league appearance after the trade. Strzelecki had a decent 4.38 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 37:12 K:BB over 37 frames in the majors, but he struggled at Triple-A Reno with 12 earned runs allowed in 13 outings.

Barrosa was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Sunday.

Barrosa played in nine spring games and had a .273/.346/.273 slash line in 26 plate appearances, but he never had a realistic chance of making Arizona's Opening Day roster. The 23-year-old outfielder had an .850 OPS with 13 home runs and 15 steals at Triple-A last year.

Lawlar was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Sunday.

The Diamondbacks already confirmed Geraldo Perdomo as their starting shortstop to begin the season, so it's not a surprise Lawlar will open in the minors since the organization wants him to see consistent at-bats. The 21-year-old struggled in his first taste of the majors last season with a .129 average in 34 plate appearances and has just 16 games under his belt at Triple-A, though he posted a 1.050 OPS while with Reno late last year. Lawlar could be up with the Diamondbacks before long to receive a starting chance if Perdomo falters.