MLB Player News

Bohm will make the Phillies' Opening Day roster, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Bohm's roster spot appeared to be in some doubt thanks to his poor spring and the strong performance of the Phillies' top hitting prospect Bryson Stott. While Bohm's roster spot is secure for now, his playing time may not be, with Stott making the team as well. If the pair wind up platooning at third base, the right-handed Bohm would see less than half of the available starts, though it's likely Bohm still gets to start against some righties. He can spell Rhys Hoskins at first base on occasion, while Stott can start at either middle infield spot.

Votto has been dialed in this spring, hitting .297/.333/.622 with two homers. He's been getting more plate appearances than other regulars on the team, in an attempt to get off to a quick start, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. "He's really committed to getting off to a good start," manager David Bell said. "Just seeing that happen for him, it's just impressive, everything about it."

Despite the teardown of the roster around him, Votto is no less dedicated to his craft. He will get fewer opportunities to compile runs and RBI with presumably lesser players around him in the lineup, however.

Tellez went 0-for-3 with two RBI in Monday's spring game.

Monday's contest was a microcosm of Tellez's spring, as he owns just a .233 batting average and .286 OBP over 11 exhibition games but has also recorded two homers, seven RBI and a .753 OPS. Tellez is set to be the Brewers' primary first baseman and will occupy a spot in the middle of the batting order.

Freeman (illness) is starting Monday's Cactus League game against the Angels.

Freeman was scratched from Sunday's lineup due to an illness, but he'll be back in action a day later. His brief absence shouldn't impact his Opening Day availability.

Freeman isn't playing in Sunday's exhibition game against the Angels due to what manager Dave Roberts describes as a "24-hour bug," Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Freeman isn't at the stadium for the contest, but he could be back in the lineup Monday. Assuming this is indeed a short-term issue, the star first baseman should be ready to go come Opening Day. Freeman is slashing .333/.368/.500 with a home run and two RBI through 19 spring plate appearances.

Ellis is back with the Diamondbacks in big-league camp Sunday in the wake of Josh Rojas' oblique injury, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Ellis was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Thursday and will make a quick return to major-league spring training with Arizona in need of more infield depth. The 26-year-old is only 2-for-15 with six strikeouts in Cactus League play, but the injury to Rojas could allow him to snap a spot on the Opening Day roster.

Rivas has been playing well this spring and could make the Opening Day roster, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Through 11 games of Cactus League action, Rivas is batting .391 with a 1.109 OPS. The 25-year-old is on the Cubs' 40-man roster, so the team could more easily keep him around as a reserve infielder to begin the season. Rivas also has options remaining, so Chicago could move him between the majors and Triple-A Iowa as needed. Right now, it doesn't look like Rivas will play enough to have much fantasy appeal, but he could be intriguing if his role expands.

Hiura went 1-for-3 with a double, a run and a walk in Saturday's spring game against Seattle.

Hiura is coming off a couple trying seasons, including a 2021 campaign in which he posted just a .557 OPS over 197 plate appearances and struck out 77 times in 173 at-bats. However, the once-hyped prospect has gotten back on track this spring, going 10-for-25 (.400) with four homers, three doubles, 10 RBI and a 1.500 OPS. Strikeouts remain an issue, as he has fanned in 10 of his 30 PA, and he is slated to open the season in a reserve role. However, Hiura is still just 25 years old, and the door has not been closed on him as of yet.

Walker went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Friday's spring training game against the Cubs.

Walker walloped his second spring home run in the fourth inning and has hit in seven of nine Cactus League contests. The righty-hitting first baseman is focused on putting a dismal 2021 season behind him, and he's been convincing thus far. He's 9-for-25 with three walks, two homers, two doubles, five RBI and six runs scored. It should be noted that Walker was just as good in 2021's spring training over 53 plate appearances but went on to slash .244/.315/.382 with 10 home runs in the regular season.

Bohm isn't guaranteed a starting role or even a roster spot to begin the year, as the Phillies are considering Bryson Stott at third base, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Bohm entered the spring as the presumptive favorite at third base despite a disappointing sophomore season which saw his wRC+ drop from 138 to 75, with corresponding steps back in his strikeout rate (20.0 percent to 26.6 percent) and barrel rate (10.3 percent to 6.6 percent). He's continued to struggle this spring, hitting .208/.296/.375 through his first 10 games, which has prompted the Phillies to give more looks at the hot corner to Stott, the team's top hitting prospect. Stott's primary position is shortstop, where he also has a chance to beat out Didi Gregorius, but he can likely handle the hot corner as well. If the Phillies do elect to go with Stott as the Opening Day third baseman, Bohm may head to the minors for everyday at-bats rather than remaining stuck in a bench role.