MLB Player News

Rizzo and the Cubs have not agreed to a contract extension during spring training and remain far apart in negotiations, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

There was some thought that the two sides might reach a deal during the spring, but now it looks like Rizzo will play out the last year of his contract and become a free agent next offseason. The Cubs are potentially looking at a rebuild, with big decisions coming on cornerstone players such as Rizzo, Kris Bryant and Javier Baez. A lot will depend on how the team performs this year, and if Chicago falls out of contention, Rizzo could find himself with a new organization sooner versus later.

Wade was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday.

The 27-year-old was acquired from the Twins in early February but won't open the season in the majors. Wade had 113 plate appearances for Minnesota over the past two seasons but has struggled with a .211/.336/.347 slash line. His demotion likely clears the way for Darin Ruf to make the Opening Day roster as a reserve first baseman/corner outfielder.

Bohm (groin) will start at third base and will bat cleanup in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Bohm will rejoin the lineup for the first time since Thursday after left groin soreness kept him on the bench for a couple of days. Assuming he comes out of Sunday's contest no worse for the wear, Bohm should head into Opening Day ready to handle everyday duties at third base.

Solano could begin the season as the starter at second base with Tommy La Stella at first base if Brandon Belt isn't ready to return after recovering from COVID-19 and mono, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Belt has returned to spring training games, but it's not clear if he'll be ready for Opening Day. Evan Longoria may also not be ready to play in the field as he works his way back from plantar fasciitis (the Giants have the DH at Seattle the first series), which could move Solano to third base. Solano is expected to get regular starts in the San Francisco lineup, but he'll be used in a multi-position role. Solano is hitting .441 (15-for-34) with three home runs this spring.

Bohm (groin) isn't in the lineup for Saturday's spring game against the Tigers, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Bohm left Thursday's game with tightness in his groin area, and manager Joe Girardi will hold the 24-year-old out of Saturday's lineup to give him an extra day of rest. However, Bohm feels good and was able to hit and throw Friday. Girardi said that Bohm could return to the lineup for Sunday's Grapefruit League matchup against the Yankees.

Calhoun (knee) took live at-bats in a simulated environment Thursday, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

This was the first time Calhoun has executed this activity since undergoing knee surgery earlier in March. The next and final test for the knee will be running, according to manager Torey Lovullo, who added that the outfielder is not yet at that point. Calhoun is expected to start the season on the injured list.

Cron went 3-for-3 with a home run, a double and two runs in Thursday's spring win over the Angels.

Cron smacked a double in the fourth inning and was brought in to score later in the inning, and he tied the game with a solo home run in the sixth. The 31-year-old has had a strong spring performance and has posted a 1.180 OPS with four home runs, 10 runs and seven RBI across 16 Cactus League games. Cron's contract was selected by the Rockies on Saturday, and he'll serve as the team's primary first baseman this year while playing his home games at hitter-friendly Coors Field.

Votto (COVID-19) will bat third and play first base Friday against Arizona, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Votto tested positive for COVID-19 in mid-March but has been back with the team for workouts for the past several days. He'd only gotten into four spring games prior to coming down with the illness, so it remains to be seen whether or not he can get up to full speed by Opening Day.

Cooper got the start in right field and hit cleanup in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals, going 1-for-3 with a home run.

With Corey Dickerson (shoulder) held out for one more game, Cooper got some work in the outfield and took Nats closer Brad Hand deep in the third inning for his second homer of the spring. Cooper is expected to begin the season on the bench but spot in at first base and in the outfield corners on a semi-regular basis, and his .382/.417/.647 slash line through 36 Grapefruit League plate appearances suggests he could be hard to get out of the lineup if he stays hot straight through Opening Day.

Bohm left Thursday's game with tightness in his left leg, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Bohm's exit was deemed precautionary, according to manager Joe Girardi. Bohm is considered day-to-day, though he won't return until at least Saturday's game, as he already had a scheduled day off for Friday's exhibition.