MLB Player News

Freeman (hamstring) is unlikely to play Wednesday against Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Freeman was removed from the lineup Tuesday against Colombia because of tightness in his hamstring. The former MVP will likely miss the contest against Mexico, and very well could miss the rest of the World Baseball Classic out of an abundance of caution. There should be further updates on Freeman's status in the coming days.

Freeman was removed from Team Canada's game Tuesday against Team Colombia with a slight hamstring issue, Jon Morosi of FOX Sports reports.

Freeman could be seen running gingerly to first base on a third-inning flyout and was promptly replaced in Canada's lineup by Denzel Clarke. It didn't seem to be anything overly serious -- he made it to first base and then into the dugout under his own power -- but this could very well end Freeman's run in the World Baseball Classic. Opening Day for the Dodgers is just over two weeks away.

Cooper went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets.

He took Stephen Nogosek deep in the sixth inning for his first spring homer. The Marlins' recent signing of Yuli Gurriel doesn't really change Cooper's role heading into the regular season, and the 32-year-old is still locked in as the starter at first base. He hasn't quite got his timing down this spring, posting a 1:8 BB:K through 25 plate appearances despite a .333 batting average, but his ability to stay healthy is still his biggest obstacle to consistent fantasy value.

Walker left Monday's game against the Giants after being hit in the left leg by a fastball, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

Walker was able to remain in the contest immediately after being hit by the pitch, but he was later removed. After the exhibition, manager Torey Lovullo stated that had it been a regular-season game, Walker would've stayed in. He'll be considered day-to-day moving forward but isn't expected to miss any serious time.

Voit's minor-league contract with the Brewers contains an out clause that he can exercise Thursday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Voit went 2-for-2 with a walk Monday versus the Reds and is now batting .346/.370/.538 with one home run over 10 Cactus League games. The Brewers surely would like to keep him around, but complicating matters is that Keston Hiura is competing for a similar role and he's out of options. Milwaukee and Voit will have some decisions to make this week.

Toglia went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and three strikeouts in Sunday's Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks.

Toglia was in the lineup at first base, though he'll be trying to crack the Opening Day roster as an outfielder. His chances of doing so have improved due to injuries to Sean Bouchard (biceps) and Randal Grichuk (groin), though he has struck out 12 times across 39 plate appearances through 13 games this spring. Toglia also struck out at a 36.7 percent clip in a 120 plate-appearance sample in Colorado to close the 2022 campaign.

Batten (calf) is starting at third base and batting ninth in Sunday's Cactus League game against the Athletics.

Batten has been held out of spring action thus far due to a strained calf, but he'll make his Cactus League debut Sunday. The 27-year-old received his first taste of the big leagues last year and went 2-for-19 in 15 games, but he's likely to be back with Triple-A El Paso to open the 2023 campaign.

Votto is hitting second and playing first base Sunday in a Cactus League game against the Dodgers.

It will be the first appearance of the spring for Votto, as the veteran first baseman has been brought along slowly after missing the end of the 2022 campaign with a torn rotator cuff and a left bicep injury. The 39-year-old is not the fantasy stalwart he once was, but his fantastic approach at the plate still should allow him to get on base at a solid clip, and hitting near the top of the Reds' lineup does give him the opportunity to help in the runs category.

Votto (shoulder/biceps) saw plate appearances Friday in a minor-league game, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

In one of the plate appearances, Votto was able to draw one of his trademark walks. The former MVP is working his way back from surgery to repair his left bicep along with a torn rotator cuff in August. There's still no timetable as to when Votto will be able to rejoin the Reds, but it's a positive development that he's getting action against live pitching at this point in the spring.

Gurriel will be given reps at second and third base in addition to first base, Ely Sussman of FishStripes.com reports.

Gurriel officially latched on with the Marlins on Friday, and while it's a minor-league contract, he's almost surely in line to make the Opening Day roster. The 38-year-old hasn't made a start at a position other than first base since 2019, but he has plenty of past experience at third and a little at second. Gurriel slashed only .242/.288/.360 for the Astros last season and isn't much of a fantasy option for 2023, even if he gains extra position eligibility.