MLB Player News

Abreu went 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Tuesday's Cactus League game against Texas.

Abreu made his spring debut Tuesday after testing positive for COVID-19. Last season's AL MVP, Abreu told Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun Times he'd be ready to hit if the season were to start now.

Olson's two-run home run in his Cactus League debut against the Reds on Monday boasted an exit velocity of approximately 116 mph, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

All the required disclaimers about spring training aside, Olson's moon shot was nevertheless encouraging after he spent the offseason tweaking his swing following a paltry .195 average and 31.4 percent strikeout rate in 2020. Monday's blast went beyond the two bullpens situated behind right field before landing in the players' parking lot -- perhaps an early harbinger of Olson returning to the caliber of production that netted a 36-homer, 91-RBI season just two years ago.

White Sox manager Tony La Russa said Abreu may make his spring debut Tuesday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Abreu entered camp late due to COVID-19. He's taken batting practice every day since Saturday, appeared in an intrasquad game, and fielded groundballs Monday.

Tigers manager AJ Hinch said Torkelson (finger) has been cleared for game action, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Torkelson didn't make the trip with the Tigers to Tampa for Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees, but he'll be included on the travel roster in Bradenton for Tuesday's five-inning game versus the Pirates. Even if he doesn't start in that contest, the touted prospect should have a good chance at getting an at-bat or two off the bench.

Dalbec started at first base and went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Sunday's spring game against Minnesota.

Dalbec should be Boston's primary first baseman in 2021 following a season in which he slugged .600 (.337 ISO) with eight home runs over 80 at-bats. There's a lot of swing-and-miss to him (42.4 K%), but Dalbec's power numbers have been exemplary in the minors.

Voit (foot) is starting at first base and batting cleanup in Sunday's spring opener against the Blue Jays.

The 30-year-old played with plantar fasciitis throughout 2020, but he appears to be entering spring training in good health. Voit was still significantly productive with a .948 OPS, 22 homers and 52 RBI in 56 games, so he has high expectations entering 2021.

Torkelson (finger) has been taking groundballs at first base the past few days, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Manager A.J. Hinch previously said Torkelson will focus exclusively on third base during spring training, but the 21-year-old isn't throwing right now due to his finger injury, so it appears the work at first is more by necessity. Torkelson won't play in Sunday's Grapefruit League opener against the Phillies, though the team has described his injury as "very mild," so he should see game action soon.

France has seen the bulk of his infield reps at third base early in spring training, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

While France projects to see the majority of his playing time in the designated hitter role this coming season, he's considered the team's third baseman of the future. His opportunity to man the hot corner on a full-time basis may well come as soon as 2022, as franchise stalwart Kyle Seager could have his team option for next season declined this coming offseason. Consequently, the fact France is spending plenty of time with infield coach Perry Hill and Seager refining his glove work at third isn't surprising, especially since there's also a chance Seager is dealt at the trade deadline this season if Seattle is out of contention at that point.

Abreu (COVID-19) arrived at spring training Saturday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Abreu missed the first several days of camp after testing positive for COVID-19, but he was asymptomatic and felt healthy through his recovery. He was expected to rejoin the team Monday, but he arrived at camp ahead of schedule and should join the White Sox for team activities. It's not yet clear whether he'll be available for the first few games of Cactus League play, but the first baseman should have plenty of time to prepare for Opening Day.

Kiriloff appears set to have a legitimate shot to compete for an Opening Day roster spot, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Teams typically hold their top prospects down for the first few weeks of the season to steal an extra year of service time, prioritizing their future balance sheet over their present win total, though that's not quite a universal practice. The Twins are saying all the right things about trying to win, suggesting Kiriloff could get a shot to break camp with the team. Of course, he has to prove this spring that he does indeed give the team the best shot at winning, something that shouldn't be hard to do when the top alternative in left field is someone who fits best in a bench role like Jake Cave. Kiriloff has yet to play a regular-season game above Double-A, but he made his big-league debut in the postseason last year, which couldn't be a much clearer sign that the team views him as one of its best 26 players.