MLB Player News

Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman drove in two runs in the team's 12-2 victory over the Marlins on Tuesday. Additionally, Freeman scored two runs on two doubles and a single in five at-bats.

The Braves placed outfielder Joey Terdoslavich (wrist) on the 15-day disabled list and pitchers Daniel Winkler (elbow) and Shae Simmons (elbow) on the 60-day disabled list.

Terdoslavich is dealing with a sprained wrist. Winkler is working his way back from last June's Tommy John surgery. Simmons will miss the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

The Cubs announced the starting lineup for Sunday's season opener against the Cardinals, with right fielder Jorge Soler slotted into the second spot of the lineup.

Soler spent most of his brief action in 2014 batting fourth or fifth, but he'll slot in between center fielder Dexter Fowler and first baseman Anthony Rizzo Sunday.

The full Cubs lineup Sunday: CF Fowler, RF Soler, 1B Rizzo, SS Starlin Castro, LF Chris Coghlan, 3B Mike Olt, C David Ross, SP Jon Lester, 2B Tommy La Stella.

Ross draws the start at catcher with former Red Sox teammate Lester on the mound. Manager Joe Maddon will bat the pitcher eighth, Olt and La Stella join Rizzo and Castro in the infield for the team's first game, with Arismendy Alcantara set to come off the bench.

Reds manager Bryan Price said that Friday's lineup against the Blue Jays will resemble what he'll likely use to start the regular season, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. 

Billy Hamilton is batting leadoff and Joey Votto is hitting second. Todd Frazier, Devin Mesoraco and Marlon Byrd are third, fourth and fifth, respectively, in the lineup. 

Price said the lineup could change against right-handed pitchers. 

Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt hit two doubles in Thursday's 10-2 win over the White Sox. He was also responsible for driving in two runs off of those hits.

Goldschmidt, 27, is batting .292 in his career with 83 home runs and 302 RBI.

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard has hit just .171/.216/.343 with three home runs in 70 spring at-bats, but manager Ryne Sandberg is optimistic he's due for a good season, MLB.com reports.

"You know what?" Sandberg said. "He's put in the work. He's done everything that's been asked. Hopefully all of that will pay off in the season. He's in a good place as far as his stance. He's done a lot of extra hitting. I think he has more bat speed than he had all of last year. So I look forward to those things to click and I look for him to hopefully get off to a good start and a good season."

Howard hit 58 home runs in his first full season in the majors then went on to collect at least 45 home runs in each of his next three seasons through 2009. He hasn't been able to match that production since, failing to post an OPS over .800 in any of his last three seasons. Howard hit .223/.310/.380 with 23 home runs andn 95 RBI in 569 at-bats last season.

Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt homered in the team's 8-7 victory over the Angels on Tuesday, reports Rotoworld.

Goldschmidt, 27, also hit two singles, going 3 for 5 on the day. His performance raised his batting average to .255 this spring. The right-hander also has two home runs and five RBI this offseason.

Kelly Johnson will make the Braves Opening Day roster, according to a report by Yahoo's Jeff Passan.

Johnson's versatility helped earn him the spot--he can play three infield positions as well as the outfield. The decision to keep Johnson could be a bad sign for Joey Terdoslavich, who was believed to be competing with him for a bench role. 

Joey Terdoslavich took batting practice on Tuesday and hopes to return to the field Wednesday, after missing 10 days with a wrist injury. 

Terdoslavich sprained his left wrist while diving to make a tag on March 21. 

"It’s just weird the way it happened, just kind of a freak thing," Terdoslavich said, per the Atlanta Journal Constitution. "But a wrist and hand with a hitter is just like a pitcher with a (sore) elbow or shoulder. You don’t want to have it linger all year."

Terdoslavich is hitting .278 this spring. He's competing with Kelly Johnson for a bench spot on the Braves' roster. 

The Marlins infielders Donovan Solano and Don Kelly were notified that they'll break camp with the big-league club, earning the final two spots on Miami's roster, according to FOX Sports Florida. According to MLB.com, Sam Dyson is also expected to make the club.