MLB Player News

Smith (wrist) will start in left field during Sunday's spring game against the Nationals, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports.

Smith took at-bats during Saturday's simulated game, and he'll be able to play left field against Washington on Sunday. It's unlikely that Smith's brief absence will impact his availability for Opening Day.

Smith (wrist) took at-bats during Saturday's simulated game, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Smith took batting practice Friday and was able to progress to a sim game Saturday. The 25-year-old has been slowed by right wrist soreness since Wednesday but hasn't been too concerned about the issue and could return to the Grapefruit League lineup as early as Sunday.

Calhoun (knee) will take a regular batting practice Sunday, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Calhoun underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus earlier in March and is expected to open the season on the injured list. While he's been unavailable, several candidates have rotated in at right field. On Friday, it was Tim Locastro's turn. Prior to that, Pavin Smith, Trayce Thompson and Daulton Varsho made starts in right field.

Walker went 2-for-4 with a home run, three RBI and a stolen base in Friday's spring game against the Brewers.

The blast was Walker's fourth in 27 spring at-bats, an encouraging sign for the first baseman who had just seven long balls over 218 at-bats in 2020. "It builds confidence," Walker told Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. "Because I'm not going up there thinking, 'Got to hit the ball in the air. Got to hit a homer.' I'm trusting some adjustments I made this offseason and trusting that that's going to be the result." Walker has been durable since becoming a regular in 2019, missing just 13 games the last two seasons.

Higgins got a step closer to securing the backup catcher role with the Cubs reassigning Jose Lobaton to minor-league camp Friday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Austin Romine (knee) should eventually become the backup to Willson Contreras, but he looks questionable for Opening Day, so Higgins may get the first crack at the role. The 27-year-old has yet to appear in the majors and likely wouldn't earn enough playing time to be much of a fantasy factor if Contreras stays healthy.

Smith (wrist) took batting practice a day ahead of schedule Friday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Smith was scratched from the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Marlins and isn't expected to play until Sunday. He doesn't seem concerned about the issue, however, saying Friday that he would be in the lineup if he dealt with a similar issue during the regular season.

Cabrera went 3-for-3 with a single, double and solo home run in Thursday's spring game against the Dodgers.

Cabrera, who made his second consecutive start at first base, went yard for the second straight Cactus League appearance. The utility infielder has appeared at first, second and third base this spring. His last four starts have come when opponents started left-handers, an indication of when Cabrera might be added to a starting lineup during the regular season.

Goldschmidt 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in a Grapefruit League tie with the Astros on Wednesday.

The veteran slugger launched his first round tripper of spring off Astros starter Bryan Abreu to give the Cardinals an early 2-0 lead in the first inning. The blast was Goldschmidt's sixth hit of spring and second of the extra-base variety. The 33-year-old is set to likely operate out of the No. 2 or No. 3 hole in the lineup most days during the coming season, with offseason acquisition Nolan Arenado, who's expected to hit directly behind him, offering him an invaluable level of protection that Goldschmidt didn't enjoy in his first two Cardinals campaigns.

Smith (wrist) won't play until Sunday at the earliest, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

Smith was scratched from the lineup Wednesday due to a sore right wrist, and he's apparently set to miss at least three more days. However, there haven't been indications that the issue will cost him any time at the start of the regular season.

Calhoun (knee) participated in baseball activities on a back field at training camp, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

This was Calhoun's first time on the field since he underwent right knee surgery March 3. The activity amounted to playing catch and taking swings in a batting cage. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Calhoun will not be ready for Opening Day and no timetable has been set for the outfielder's return. That opens an opportunity for several players to man right field early in the season. Daulton Varsho started in right field Wednesday, and non-roster invitee Trayce Thompson has made multiple starts there since Calhoun's surgery.