MLB Player News

Santana was 1-for-3 with a three-run home run in Tuesday's spring training win over the Rockies.

Santana went without a hit in his spring debut but was able to clear the fence in game No. 2. The veteran slugger returns to Cleveland after departing via free agency last year and should see plenty of play at designated hitter, though he played the field at first base Tuesday.

The Angels hope Bour (hamstring) will be able to return to game action early next week, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Bour is dealing with a minor hamstring issue. Assuming he's able to make his Cactus League debut sometime next week, he should have no problem getting up to speed before the start of the season. Health permitting, Bour should open the season as the team's primary first baseman until Shohei Ohtani (elbow) returns, at which point he will be forced to compete with Albert Pujols for playing time.

Guerrero started at third base Sunday and went 1-for-3 with an RBI single in the Blue Jays' 9-8 exhibition loss to the Orioles.

Lauded for his excellent quality of contact, Guerrero's first hit of the spring came on a soft infield single that traveled just far enough out of range of the pitcher to plate a hard-charging Lourdes Gurriel from third base. Per Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca, manager Charlie Montoyo said he plans to use most of the Blue Jays' position players every other day during the spring, so Guerrero's next opportunity to play should come Tuesday versus the Red Sox. Regardless of how he performs this spring, baseball's top prospect is expected to open the season at Triple-A Buffalo before likely earning the call to the big leagues at some point in April.

Voit went 2-for-3 with a home run and four RBI in Sunday's Grapefruit League win over the Rays.

Greg Bird had two hits Saturday, including a double. Voit responded with his first long ball of the spring Sunday, a fourth-inning blast off right-hander Ryne Stanek. The Yankees have said publicly that this is Voit's job to lose.

Bour has a minor hamstring problem but expects to return within a few days, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Bour should be an everyday player early in the season until Shohei Ohtani returns from Tommy John surgery and forces Albert Pujols to compete for time at first base. Assuming Bour is indeed able to return in a few days, his status for Opening Day shouldn't be in much doubt.

Casas (thumb) took batting practice at Boston's minor-league camp Friday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Casas, the Red Sox's top pick in the 2018 draft, suffered a right thumb injury in his second professional game last June and underwent season-ending ulnar collateral ligament repair surgery. The gigantic third baseman -- the media guide lists the 19-year-old at 6-foot-5, 240 pounds -- is healthy once again. RotoWire ranks him fifth among Boston's prospects, but he may be the best power hitter in the system.

Dalbec hit a home run in the second inning of Friday's 6-0 spring victory over Northeastern University.

The Red Sox kicked off spring competition Friday with their traditional game against a Boston-area college. Dalbec slammed the first pitch he saw over the fence in center field. The 23-year-old is Boston's highest-placed power prospect after launching 32 big flies last year between High-A Salem and Double-A Portland. He's expected to open the season at Portland.

Mountcastle was spotted going through drills at first base during Monday's workout, Jon Meoli of the Baltimore Sun reports.

Mountcastle was drafted as a shortstop, and after transitioning to third base for the 2018 season, it appears he could be in line for another position change. The 22-year-old insisted that the shift to first base isn't permanent just yet, although, given his impressive bat, first base may be the quickest path to the big leagues for the 2015 first-round pick. "It was just trying to get me to play more positions," stated Mountcastle. "Flores had me working there the last few days, just trying to get comfortable with it so whenever they need me out there at first, they can put me out there and feel confident."

Gurriel will play spring-training games at second and third base, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Manager A.J. Hinch concocted a similar plan during spring training last season, too, but that idea was squashed after Gurriel underwent hand surgery in late February. Still, he appeared in 21 games at third base during the regular season, staring there eight times. He also made five starts at second base. With super-utility man Marwin Gonzalez no longer around, Gurriel and fellow Cuban Aledmys Diaz will be packing multiple gloves.

Guerrero is expected to begin the season at Triple-A Buffalo, Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com reports.

General manager Ross Atkins didn't rule out having the top prospect on the Opening Day roster, but he also said that the most likely starter at the hot corner for the first game is Brandon Drury. This is almost certainly a trick to get an extra year of team control over Guerrero, so the most likely scenario is that he will be up with Toronto after a few weeks.