Player Notes

  • Impressing in camp
    Ibanez has played well this spring and likely has locked up an Opening Day roster spot, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

    Advice: Ibanez was a pleasant surprise for the Tigers last season and he's carried that over into camp, as he's now popped four home runs in 15 Grapefruit League contests to go along with a .963 OPS. The utility player doesn't have a regular home on the diamond, but if he keeps swinging a hot bat, he may force his way into the lineup more often than not. Rotowire.com Today, 5:43 pm
  • Jared Triolo scores three times for Pirates
    Jared Triolo went 2-for-2 with a walk and three runs scored Monday against the Phillies.

    Advice: Liover Peguero is supposed to be in the lead in the competition at second base in Pittsburgh, but Triolo has looked like the better option all along. He’s batting .379 this spring, and he’s also exceeded expectations defensively while seeing time at second, third and short. He’s not a potential mixed-league guy, but he could be an awfully solid NL-only contributor. Rotoworld Today, 3:24 pm
  • Jake Burger crushes first spring homer in win
    Jake Burger hit his first spring homer off Josh Hader as the Marlins edged an Astros split-squad 6-5 on Monday.

    Advice: It was a 432-foot shot. Burger is just 5-for-36 with a 13/1 K/BB this spring, but he’s no longer in a situation in which he has to worry about playing time. He might spend a fair amount of time DHing, but he’ll be a lineup fixture for the Marlins after his 34-homer campaign last year. Rotoworld Today, 2:46 pm
  • Oswaldo Cabrera goes 2-for-3, hits first spring homer
    Oswaldo Cabrera went 2-for-3 and hit his first spring homer Monday against the Phillies.

    Advice: With Oswald Peraza set to land on the IL and DJ LeMahieu perhaps joining him, Cabrera, who hit .211/.275/.299 in 330 PA last season, might be the Yankees’ Opening Day third baseman. The team’s decision not to pursue any veteran utility options over the winter is looking worse and worse, though odds are that Brian Cashman will pick up at least one option in trade or on waivers before the season begins. Rotoworld Today, 1:58 pm
    Oswaldo CabreraNYY - 2B,3B,SS,OF
  • Twins option José Miranda to Triple-A St. Paul
    The Twins optioned 1B José Miranda, OF Trevor Larnach; Reassigned RHP Jordan Balazovic to minor league camp.

    Advice: Minnesota made its fourth round of cuts and are now down to 41 players left in spring camp. Miranda spent time down in Triple-A last season with a .686 OPS across 181 plate appearances and played in 40 games with the Twins. His .211 AVG last season with Minnesota and with the signing of Manuel Margot this offseason, the 25-year-old will continue to grow in the Twins’ farm system. Rotoworld Today, 1:24 pm
  • DJ LeMahieu (foot) uncertain for Opening Day
    Yankees manager Aaron Boone said DJ LeMahieu has a “pretty significant bone bruise” and is status for Opening Day is uncertain.

    Advice: Welp, more injuries for the Yankees as they head into the homestretch of Spring Training. Boone didn’t rule the 35-year-old third baseman out completely for Opening Day, but the team will monitor how he is feeling in the coming days. Third base is definitely a position that lacks depth in New York. Oswaldo Cabrera played 15 games at third base last season, but he’s more likely to be in the outfield if he’s going to be used defensively. Josh Harrison, who just recently opted for free agency, could be an option for the Yankees if they look for more infield depth. Rotoworld Today, 1:11 pm
    DJ LeMahieuNYY - 1B,2B,3B
  • Rays option five to minor leagues
    Tampa Bay Rays optioned INF Osleivis Basabe to Triple-A Durham and reassigned INF C.J. Hinojosa, C Nick Meyer, INF Ronny Simon, and RHP Edwin Uceta to minor league camp.

    Advice: No real surprises from this group. The 23-year-old Basabe made his MLB debut last year but hit .218/.277/.310 in 31 games with one home run. He had been hitting .296/.351/.426 in Triple-A with four home runs and 16 steals, so there is still the potential for him to be a solid MLB player, but his profile suggests more real-life value than fantasy value. Rotoworld Today, 12:49 pm
  • Ready for utility role
    Berti got the start at third base and went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets.

    Advice: Batting leadoff, Berti drew a free pass off a tiring Jose Quintana in the fifth inning, advanced to third on a Dane Myers single and came around to score on a Jesus Sanchez groundout. Berti has seen most of his action this spring at the hot corner but has also played shortstop for a few games, batting .250 (7-for-28) with a 3:9 BB:K and one steal in two attempts. The 34-year-old will fill a utility role on the Marlins' infield again this season, and while his 16-for-22 performance on the basepaths in 2023 was disappointing, he did record an average sprint speed in the 95th percentile. A bounceback performance in the category isn't out of the question after he led the majors with 41 steals in 2022. Rotowire.com Today, 10:51 am
    Jon BertiMIA - 2B,3B,SS,OF
  • Three homers in spring
    Ramirez has gone 6-for-33 (.182) with three home runs over 12 Cactus League games.

    Advice: Ramirez is as much of a lock as anyone in the Guardians' lineup, with the third baseman expected to hit either second or third most of the time. While he hasn't hit well in spring, there's no reason to worry about his playing time -- he should be a near-everyday option between the hot corner and designated hitter. Rotowire.com Today, 10:25 am