MLB Player News

Kirilloff (wrist) might not be ready in time for Opening Day, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Kirilloff was able to play in a minor-league game Saturday but has yet to see any Grapefruit League action as the Twins ease him into things following another right wrist surgery. While president of baseball operations Derek Falvey has said the team hasn't made a decision yet on whether Kirilloff will be part of the Opening Day roster, it seems likely at this point that he'll just run out of time. Kirilloff does have options remaining, so the club could stash him at Triple-A St. Paul for a bit if he needs to knock some rust off. If that happens, Joey Gallo, Jose Miranda and Donovan Solano are among the candidates to handle first base in Kirilloff's absence.

Vaughn (back) said he feels better after playing catch and fielding grounders Sunday, and he expects to return to swinging within the next couple days, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Manager Pedro Grifol indicated Saturday the slugger will be out at least a few more days due to lower-back soreness, and there doesn't appear to be a rush to get him back into game action. There's just under two weeks before Opening Day, and Vaughn also said he could hit off a pitching machine at the end of camp if he needs additional reps at that point. His outlook for the start of the season will remain up in the air at least until he returns to full baseball activities.

Torkelson went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.

Torkelson got off to a 3-for-18 start at the plate in spring training. Since then, however, he's gone 7-for-19 with two doubles, and Saturday's home run was his first in Grapefruit League action. Torkelson struggled as a rookie in 2022, but the talent is there for him to take a big step forward in his second MLB season, and he seems to be building some momentum as the team approaches Opening Day.

Calhoun is playing first base and hitting sixth for Saturday's Cactus League contest against the Guardians, Corey Brock of The Athletic reports.

As Brock notes, Calhoun has not played first base in an MLB game since 2015 when he was with the Angels. The veteran outfielder is trying to win a spot on the Seattle bench after signing as a non-roster invitee this winter, and the ability to play multiple positions would go a long way toward achieving that goal.

Kirilloff (wrist) played four innings at first base Saturday and went 0-for-2 in a minor-league game, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Kirilloff continues to make progress as he ramps up following surgery last August to shorten the ulnar bone in his right wrist and clean up scar tissue. His return to game action is a significant step and gives hope he'll be ready for the start of the regular season. Kirilloff has a minor-league option remaining, so the Twins could have him report to Triple-A St. Paul to begin the season in order to continue his ramp-up process rather than stashing him on the injured list if he needs more time.

Manzardo was reassigned to minor-league camp by the Rays on Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Manzardo was strong in his time in camp with the Rays, with a .280/.357/.600 slash along with two home runs over 28 plate appearances. Considered among the top prospects at the first base position, Manzardo will start 2023 in the upper levels -- possibly with Triple-A Durham -- and has a realistic path to playing for the Rays in 2023.

White Sox manager Pedro Grifol told reporters Saturday that Vaughn is going to be out a few more days with lower back soreness, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Vaughn has been out of the lineup with what has been described as "general soreness," but Grifol offered more specifics Saturday. It sounds like the White Sox are taking precautions with the right-handed hitter, but it's obviously a situation to monitor for managers who have rostered or are considering a draft pick on the 24-year-old.

Dalbec will make his fourth consecutive start at shortstop Saturday, Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe reports.

Dalbec is producing this spring but doesn't have an everyday home on the diamond. When a player goes 11-for-34 (.324) with three doubles, two triples and a home run, a manager will try to find spots. Dalbec has experience at first and third base and played some shortstop before. "Bobby's a great athlete," manager Alex Cora told Abraham. "He understands what he can do with his body and his internal clock is great. Off-balance throws, double plays... he understands the game and he's a good defender." The biggest question about Dalbec is if he can hit enough to maintain a steady role in the regular season. Over the last two seasons, Dalbec hit a combined .229 over 250 games.

O'Hearn (knee) is starting at first base and batting sixth Saturday against the Red Sox.

He missed a week with knee soreness but an MRI came back clean and this won't impact O'Hearn's ability to get a fair look at a roster spot as a non-roster invitee. O'Hearn is hitting .474 with one home run, three strikeouts and three walks in 19 at-bats this spring.

Abreu has gone 8-for-31 (.258) with two home runs and three doubles during Cactus League action.

Per Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle, Abreu asked managed Dusty Baker to give him plenty of playing time this spring, and the skipper has obliged. As a result, the veteran first baseman looks just about ready for Opening Day. Abreu posted a .304/.378/.446 line across 679 plate appearances in 2022 and will be entering his first campaign not in a White Sox uniform.