The Rangers optioned Ornelas to Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday.

Ornelas' defensive versatility and .881 OPS in spring training gave him a good chance to win a spot on the Rangers' bench out of spring training. However, the team would evidently like to see if his hot bat can hold up in the Triple-A regular season -- not surprising given his career .505 OPS in the big leagues.

Story (back) is hitting in a simulated game against Walker Buehler on Thursday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Story last played in a Grapefruit League game March 9, as he's been dealing with back tightness. However, the fact that he's able to play in a simulated game suggests he's on track to return to the Red Sox' lineup Saturday versus Atlanta as hoped.

Meidroth has started at shortstop and batted leadoff in two straight Cactus League games for the White Sox and hit leadoff in all six of his exhibition starts in March.

Meidroth missed some time this month with a calf issue but has been getting a long look in the leadoff spot when on the field. The 23-year-old's on-base skills are his best asset, as he boasted a 71:105 K:BB and .437 on-base percentage at Triple-A Worcester with the Red Sox organization in 2024, making him a sensible fit for the leadoff spot. Meidroth also might be emerging as the favorite to start at shortstop for the White Sox, as Colson Montgomery is now in minor-league camp and Brooks Baldwin has been playing more second base and even center field.

The Astros reassigned Matthews to minor-league camp Thursday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Manager Joe Espada said of Matthews after the transaction that "second base looks like his best" position, adding that "there's a path" to a major-league role for Matthews eventually. Assuming Jose Altuve moves to left field as expected, the keystone could represent Matthews' best path to a major-league debut relatively soon if he gets off to a nice start at Triple-A Sugar Land. Slated to turn 23 on Sunday, Matthews slashed .265/.384/.481 with 15 homers and 32 stolen bases across four levels in the minors in 2024.

Baez will start at third base and bat sixth in Thursday's Grapefruit League game versus the Yankees, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Baez hasn't played third base since 2019, when he started there one game. With Matt Vierling (shoulder) out, it's possible Baez sees some action at the hot corner versus lefties. He also remains in the mix for playing time at shortstop.

Perez (back) isn't in the Tigers' Grapefruit League lineup Thursday against the Yankees and also isn't listed on their travel roster for Friday's game versus the Pirates, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Perez hasn't played since March 2 due to lower-back tightness and it would appear his return to action is not imminent. If healthy, the 25-year-old should be in line to play a lot early in the season while Matt Vierling (shoulder) and perhaps Parker Meadows (arm) are out. However, it would seem Perez's own availability for Opening Day is in peril.

Culpepper was scratched from Saturday's prospect showcase roster because of a hamstring injury, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

He is expected to be ready for the start of the minor-league regular season, however. Culpepper hit .242/.330/.394 with three home runs between Low-A and High-A last season in just 26 games after signing with the Twins. The 21st overall pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft has a strong hit tool, but he lacks impactful power or speed.

X-rays on Witt's forearm came back negative after he was hit by a pitch in Wednesday's game against the Mariners.

Witt was in visible pain after taking a 96-mph sinker off his forearm and made a quick exit into the Royals' clubhouse, but he appears to have escaped the incident with no more than a bruise. The team hasn't indicated how long it will be before he returns to game action, but there's currently no reason to think he'll miss Opening Day. The young superstar has had a great spring thus far, slashing .276/.364/.586 with two homers, four RBI and five runs scored over 11 games.

Witt was removed from Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Mariners after getting hit on the left forearm by a pitch.

Witt went 0-for-2 with a strikeout before getting plunked by a 96-mph sinker from Andres Munoz. It's unclear at the moment if he suffered any severe damage, but the Royals will likely run tests on their All-Star shortstop and offer an update in the near future.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Wednesday that Story (back) will most likely return to Grapefruit League play Saturday versus Atlanta, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Story was scratched from Tuesday's lineup with back tightness. The original plan was for him to return to action Wednesday, but the team has opted to give him a few more days. Story has been red-hot at the plate this spring, going 11-for-24 with a pair of home runs.