MLB Player News

Casas received full clearance to participate in all activities and could play in a spring game this weekend, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Casas had been away in Boston for a non-baseball medical issue and recently cleared intake protocols. The plan will be to get him at-bats during Cactus League games before the well-regarded prospect is reassigned to minor-league camp.

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

Voit missed a few games due to a sore right knee, but the issue was clearly minor given the slugger's ability to play -- albeit at DH -- Thursday. Voit felt well enough to test the knee on a tag-up from second base following a flyball to left, and though he was thrown out, he appeared to come out of it none the worse for wear. Per Marly Rivera of ESPN.com, Voit will have a planned day off Friday.

Torkelson went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays.

Through seven games this spring, Torkelson is 0-for-13 with eight strikeouts. There will be better days ahead for the uber-talented 21-year-old, but he clearly needs a little seasoning in the minors. Torkelson could begin the season at High-A West Michigan and potentially move up the ladder fairly quickly if he performs well.

Naylor is the leading candidate to be Cleveland's Opening Day right fielder, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Cleveland has played Naylor exclusively in the outfield this spring as Jake Bauers and Bobby Bradley compete for the first base job. Naylor could find himself on the strong side of a platoon, but the job appears to be his to lose. He's hitting .214/.267/.357 with zero home runs, two strikeouts and one walk in 14 at-bats during Cactus League play. Prospect Daniel Johnson has outperformed Naylor thus far, but all indications are that Johnson will get more seasoning in the minors to start the year.

Dalbec went 1-for-3 with a grand slam in Wednesday's spring game against Atlanta.

This was his fourth home run of the Grapefruit League. The power he showed in 2020 -- when he hit eight over 80 at-bats -- is for real. Dalbec, who had a 42.4 strikeout rate in 2020, is a free swinger, so his goal is to make contact in key situations, which he did Wednesday. As Boston's projected starter at first base, Dalbec will be given ample opportunity to grow as a hitter in 2021.

France went 2-for-2 with a double, a home run, two RBI, a walk and two runs in a Cactus League win over the Royals on Tuesday, pushing his spring-training average to .615 (8-for-13) across six games.

France has already racked up 19 total bases in 15 plate appearances, and five (two doubles, three home runs) of his eight hits have gone for extra bases. The 26-year-old is slated for full-time designated hitter duties in 2021, with a likely move to third base in 2022 if the team parts ways with Kyle Seager.

Voit (knee) will serve as the designated hitter in Thursday's spring game against the Phillies, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

The 30-year-old was scratched from Tuesday's Grapefruit League contest due to right knee soreness, but he's expected to make a relatively quick return to the lineup. Voit participated in defensive drills Wednesday and will return to action at first base in the near future if all goes well Thursday.

Voit (knee) participated in defensive drills Wednesday, Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports.

Voit was scratched from Tuesday's Grapefruit League lineup due to right knee soreness, but manager Aaron Boone wasn't too concerned about the issue. He isn't starting Wednesday's spring game against Pittsburgh, but it's unlikely that the issue will have a significant impact on his preparation for Opening Day.

White is 1-for-10 with a double, a walk and two RBI across his first five Cactus League games.

White is once again ticketed for everyday duties at first base after logging 54 starts there as a rookie in 2020. The 24-year-old managed an anemic .176/.252/.346 line across his 202 plate appearances, but he displayed some promising pop by lacing 15 of his 32 hits for extra bases (seven doubles, eight home runs).

Casas (undisclosed) rejoined the Red Sox for workouts Tuesday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Casas had been away for the team for about a week due to an undisclosed non-baseball medical issue, but he's apparently made a return to full health while also clearing all COVID-19 intake testing. The 21-year-old third baseman is expected to ramp up his activity gradually over the next few days before potentially getting the chance to play in a Grapefruit League game for Boston.