MLB Player News

The Guardians optioned Watson to minor-league camp Monday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Watson impressed at the plate this spring in going 6-for-14 with one stolen base and a 2:5 BB:K, but it wasn't enough to put him in play for an Opening Day roster spot. The 22-year-old made a full-time move to the outfield in 2025 and will again handle all three outfield spots at Triple-A Columbus.

The Guardians optioned Genao to minor-league camp Monday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Genao nabbed a spot on the Guardians' 40-man roster this offseason, but he was always destined to head back to the minors for more seasoning. The 21-year-old infielder was limited by a shoulder injury last season, but he's healthy now and should begin the year back at Double-A Akron.

The Rangers optioned Otanez to Triple-A Round Rock on Monday.

Otanez took himself out of contention for a spot in the Rangers' Opening Day bullpen after yielding four earned runs on four hits and one walk over 2.1 innings across his three Cactus League appearances. The 28-year-old righty will serve as a leverage arm at Round Rock to begin the season while he waits for an opening to re-emerge in the Texas bullpen.

The Rangers optioned Blanco to Triple-A Round Rock after claiming him off waivers from the Royals on Sunday.

The right-handed-hitting Blanco looked like a potential candidate to fill out a short-side platoon role in the Texas outfield, but he won't end up reporting to big-league camp and will instead head to Triple-A to begin the upcoming season. Though Blanco has been a near-league-average hitter over his first four MLB seasons with a 99 wRC+, he fell out of favor with the Royals in 2025, logging just eight plate appearances in the majors while mustering a middling .253/.332/.405 slash line over 77 games at Triple-A Omaha. The Rangers may want to see Blanco show some improvement as a hitter at the Triple-A level before giving him another look in the big leagues.

Casas (knee) conceded Monday that he won't play in any Grapefruit League games, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Casas had hoped to play in some spring training contests before the schedule concluded, but he will run out of time. He has yet to do any baserunning or sliding, and a clearer timetable for his game readiness won't be available until he checks off those boxes. Casas is working his way back from patellar tendon surgery on his left knee, which he underwent back on May 4.

The Giants re-signed Lucchesi to a minor-league contract Monday that includes an invitation to spring training, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Lucchesi was non-tendered by the Giants back in November, but with Reiver Sanmartin (hip) out three months and Erik Miller (back) banged up, Lucchesi has a chance to make the team as a left-handed reliever. He was decent for San Francisco last season, collecting a 3.76 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 31:12 K:BB over 38.1 innings.

Gilbert (shoulder) has been cleared to serve as a designated hitter in Cactus League games, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Gilbert is working his way back from a left shoulder impingement and still isn't ready to play defense, but the Giants are comfortable having him hit. The 25-year-old is in the running for a reserve outfielder role in San Francisco, though the shoulder issue preventing him from playing the field doesn't help his chances.

Sanmartin will be sidelined for three months after being diagnosed Monday with a severe right hip flexor strain, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Sanmartin suffered the injury during a recent exhibition game and an MRI revealed a serious injury. The left-hander had been competing for a spot in the Giants bullpen after being claimed off waivers from the Reds back in November.

Misiorowski allowed one earned run over 3.1 innings in Sunday's spring game against the Mariners. He gave up two hits, struck out six batters and walked one.

Misiorowski struck out five batters over 2.0 innings in a matchup with the British national team last week, and he racked up six more Sunday while tossing 59 pitches. Misiorowski posted an 11.9 K/9 in his 2025 season, and he appears poised to continue racking up the punchouts.

Harrison allowed one earned run over 3.0 innings in Sunday's spring game against the Mariners. He gave up two hits, struck out eight batters and walked two.

Harrison shined while tossing three frames in an exhibition matchup against the British national team last week, and he did the same Sunday in his first official appearance of the spring. Over the two outings Harrison allowed just one earned run and posted a 10:3 K:BB, so he is making a strong case to break camp with a spot in the big-league rotation.