MLB Player News

Singleton went 2-for-4 with a two-run double and a solo home run Wednesday during the Astros' 7-3 Grapefruit League loss to the Tigers.

"It's nice to see him have a good day," manager A.J. Hinch said of Singleton, who raised his spring batting average from .104 to .152 with the performance. "He's worked pretty hard, and he hasn't had a day like this yet. Obviously he has it in him. To see him have a day like today is a nice fresh start for him for the rest of camp." The 24-year-old arrived in camp as the favorite to win the Astros' starting first base job, but he'll have to beat out A.J. Reed, Tyler White and Matt Duffy for the role.

Santana was sent home Wednesday with an illness, Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com reports.

It appears the bug that's been going around Indians has reached the first baseman. Despite being sent home, this issue shouldn't linger for very long, and Santana should be back in the lineup fairly soon.

Walker played in left field during Tuesday's Grapefruit league game and went 1-for-3 with a double.

The outfield is new to Walker, who is a first baseman with very little minor league experience at third base. Things went well Tuesday, as Walker picked up an outfield assist by gunning down Troy Tulowitzki at third base. With plenty of depth at the MLB level at first base, Walker might be able to find a new avenue to make the team by converting to the outfield. It was not thought to be likely that Walker would break camp with the Orioles, but Hyun-soo Kim has struggled this spring and the team appears to be opening iself up to other options.

Singleton went 1-for-4 with a stolen base as the DH during Monday's 1-1 Grapefruit League tie against Washington.

The 24-year-old did not strike out during the game, but he's fanned 11 times over 27 Grapefruit League at-bats with only one walk to his credit. Singleton's inability to make consistent contact will hurt his chances of winning the Astros' starting first base job, as his main competition -- A.J. Reed (.318), Tyler White (.370) and Matt Duffy (three home runs) -- are off to blistering starts this spring.

Walker went 2-for-3 with a home run in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins.

Walker did not stand out last season at Triple-A, but he has been one of the better bats for the Orioles this spring. He is the only member of the club with multiple home runs. Walker is still ticketed for Triple-A and he might need multiple injuries in order to see playing time in Baltimore this season.

Abreu is 5-of-10 with a solo home run and a walk through four games this spring.

The 29-year-old is picking up right where he left off from 2015 and has the potential to reach 30 home runs and 100 RBI for the third consecutive season. Abreu is widely considered a top five fantasy first baseman for 2016.

Solano has been sidelined with a lower-back injury, The Westchester Journal News reports.

Solano hasn't been able to partake in any baseball drills, and while there's no exact timetable as of now, he expressed optimism that he'd return to the field before the end of spring training. The infielder likely wouldn't have cracked the Opening Day big league roster anyway, but if he misses extended time he'll most likely begin the year at the Triple-A level.

Singleton went 2-for-4 with a double, home run and three RBI during Sunday's Grapefruit League win over Toronto.

Prior to Sunday's standout performance, Singleton had gone hitless over six at-bats with four strikeouts. Astros manager A.J. Hinch indicated last week that the 24-year-old has the "first look and the most experience" in the team's first base competition, but A.J. Reed (three hits Sunday) and Tyler White (home run Sunday) are right there with him in one of the most exciting position battles of the spring thus far.

Astros manager A.J. Hinch indicated Singleton has the "first look and the most experience" in the team's first base competition this spring, Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Singleton is competing with the highly-regarded A.J. Reed and lesser-known Tyler White for the first base job this spring, but Hinch's comments Wednesday suggest the 24-year-old is the early favorite for the role. A lot can happen during camp, however, and Singelton has struggled mightily over 420 big-league plate appearances thus far. It probably wouldn't take much for Reed or White to overtake him in the competition.

The Indians have cooled on the idea of hitting Santana leadoff this season, MLB.com reports.

It seemed like a remote possibility at best initially and appears to be a dead issue now. Santana homered in his first game of the spring Tuesday as he looks to bounce back from last season's career-worst .395 slugging percentage.