MLB Player News

Hall might see a large increase in starts at first base if the Phillies are without Rhys Hoskins (knee) for a long period of time, per Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia.

Hoskins went down with a significant-looking left knee injury Thursday in camp and fill-in options are already being floated as the baseball world awaits an official diagnosis. Alec Bohm could move over to first base against lefties, with Edmundo Sosa covering third, but it may be Hall who gets the biggest boost in playing time as a left-handed power threat. Hall, 27, boasts a .319/.385/.681 batting line with five home runs through 52 plate appearances this spring in the Grapefruit League.

Bohm could slide over to first base if the Phillies lose Rhys Hoskins (knee) for an extended period, Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Hoskins had to be carted off the field in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers after his left knee gave out on a play beyond the first base. The injury looked ugly, though there is no diagnosis just yet. Bohm moving to first makes sense, and Edmundo Sosa would probably then shift from a super-utility role to a regular presence at the hot corner. Darick Hall should also be in the first base picture, especially against tougher right-handed pitching opponents.

Hoskins suffered a severe-looking left knee injury during Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Hoskins fell awkwardly while trying to make a play on a ball just beyond first base in the top of the second inning. It appeared that his left knee simply gave out on him, per beat writers on the scene in Clearwater, Florida. He was down on the ground for several minutes before leaving on a cart. This could be an absolutely brutal development just one week out from Opening Day.

Mervis was reassigned Thursday to the minor-league side of Cubs camp, Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Mervis appears to be the first baseman of the future on the North Side of Chicago, but he'll have to wait a little longer to get his shot after the organization brought in both Eric Hosmer and Trey Mancini over the winter. The 24-year-old put up a .984 OPS with 36 home runs and 119 RBI in 137 games last season between three different levels of the Cubs' minor-league system.

Montero has gone 16-for-51 with four home runs and two doubles during Cactus League action.

Montero has swung the bat well for much of spring, but that's been particularly true of late. He has tallied four multi-hit performances in his last eight contests, and he has gone deep twice in that span. After Nolan Jones was optioned to Triple-A on Monday, Montero's primary competition for the starting job at third base appears to be Mike Moustakas.

Dixon has been scratched from the lineup for Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Reds due to an illness.

He was scheduled to start at third base and hit sixth, but the Padres will now turn to Matthew Batten to man the hot corner. Dixon should be considered day-to-day moving forward.

Goldschmidt hit .280 (7-for-25) with a home run, a double, five RBI and eight runs scored over seven games for Team USA at the World Baseball Classic.

While the Americans lost to Japan in Tuesday's final, Goldschmidt was a steady presence throughout the tournament. He'll now have about a week to get integrated back with the Cardinals as he puts the finishing touches on his preparation for the regular season. After slashing .317/.404/.578 with 35 homers, 115 RBI, 106 runs scored, seven stolen bases and 41 doubles last year, the first baseman remains a strong fantasy player entering his age-35 campaign.

Singleton was reassigned Tuesday to the minor-league side of Brewers camp, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Singleton was released by the Brewers back in January before re-signing with the club on a minor-league pact a few weeks later. He hasn't appeared in a game at the major-league level since all the way back in 2015.

Olson went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays.

The first baseman took Zach Eflin deep in the third inning, giving Olson six homers on the spring to lead all hitters, in either Florida or Arizona. His 1.549 OPS is also second among players with at least 30 at-bats, behind only the Phillies' Edmundo Sosa. Tiny samples aside, Olson has launched more than 30 homers in each of the last three full MLB seasons and topped 100 RBI in the last two campaigns. The 28-year-old already appears locked in at the plate ahead of Opening Day.

Hiura has brought back the toe tap in his swing, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

It's something that Hiura is trying to reincorporate on the fly as he struggles to find a groove in Cactus League play. Through his first 35 plate appearances this spring, the 26-year-old has batted just .156/.229/.219 with zero home runs and 15 strikeouts. He is out of minor-league options, so a tough decision could be coming soon as the Brewers sort out their Opening Day roster.