MLB Player News

Arias was optioned to Double-A Tennessee by the Cubs on Friday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Arias netted a 40-man roster spot this offseason but didn't have a real chance of breaking camp with the big club. The 22-year-old has yet to advance past A-ball but should open 2024 in Tennessee's rotation.

Davis (concussion) was optioned to Triple-A Iowa by the Cubs on Friday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Davis suffered a concussion in his third Cactus League game and had not yet returned to action, although he has resumed activities. The 24-year-old was a prized prospect a couple years ago but has struggled to stay healthy and productive the last two seasons.

The Cubs optioned Vazquez to Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Vazquez was added to the 40-man roster in November in order to protect him from being selected during the Rule 5 Draft, but he was unable to carve out a place on Chicago's Opening Day roster. The 24-year-old had an .809 OPS in 66 games at Triple-A last season and is a likely bet to make his MLB debut at some point in 2024.

Brown was optioned to Triple-A Iowa by the Cubs on Friday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Brown could wind up spending time in the Cubs' rotation in 2024, but for now he'll gain some more experience at Iowa. The 24-year-old right-hander spent the bulk of 2023 at Iowa, collecting a 5.33 ERA and 100:51 K:BB over 72.2 innings.

Crow-Armstrong was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The re-signing of Cody Bellinger seemed to spell the end of Crow-Armstrong's chances of cracking the Opening Day roster, and he's now officially headed back to Iowa where he will play every day when its season begins. Crow-Armstrong could still have a path to at-bats eventually if the Cubs wind up using Bellinger more at first base, although Mike Tauchman is higher in the center field pecking order right now.

Jones (back) remained out of the Rockies' Cactus League lineup for Friday's game versus the Angels, Patrick Lyons of Just Baseball reports.

Jones didn't think he would miss any games after he was removed from Wednesday's contest with lower-back tightness, but he's now been held out of two straight. It's not yet worrisome, as there's little reason to push the young outfielder at this point in the spring. Jones' availability for Opening day doesn't appear to be in jeopardy.

Young went 1-for-3 with an RBI in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets.

Getting the start in center field and batting eighth, Young continued a hot start to his spring that has seen him go 6-for-17 (.353) over eight games with a double and two steals. Victor Robles still appears to be in the lead for the starting center field job, but he'll likely be on a short leash. Even if Young begins the season on the big-league bench, he could see consistent playing time early if Robles is once again providing little offense. Both outfielders are likely just keeping spots warm for top prospects Dylan Crews and James Wood, however.

Irvin gave up two hits over four scoreless innings in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets. He struck out five without walking a batter.

The 27-year-old righty made his first start of the spring and looked much better than he had in two prior relief stints, firing 37 of 51 pitches for strikes and having few issues with what could very well have been New York's Opening Day lineup. Irvin is locked into a rotation spot for the Nationals, and while expectations are low after he posted a 4.61 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 18.7 percent strikeout rate over 121 innings as a rookie last season, he does have an intriguing 11:2 K:BB through his first 7.2 frames this spring.

Alvarez went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals.

The young catcher took Richard Bleier deep in the fifth inning for his second homer of the spring. Alvarez slugged 25 long balls in 2023 but hit only .209 with a 26.0 percent strikeout rate and an 8.0 percent walk rate, so improving his control over the strike zone will be key to him taking a step forward as a hitter. So far in camp he's done just that, going 3-for-12 over six games with a 4:2 BB:K.

Miley threw a 25-pitch bullpen session Friday and said afterward that his left shoulder is no longer a concern, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

While the veteran southpaw no longer feels any discomfort in his shoulder, it remains a question as to whether he will have enough time to ramp up ahead of Opening Day. If Miley does ultimately need a stint on the injured list, it seems as though it will be a short one.