MLB Player News

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.

Kirilloff (knee) is expected to return to the Twins' lineup Tuesday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Kirilloff was removed from Saturday's Grapefruit League matchup due to mild left knee soreness, but he should be back in action for Tuesday's spring finale. The 24-year-old should be available for Opening Day against the Mariners on Thursday.

Vaughn (hip) is starting in right field in Monday's Cactus League game against the Cubs, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

The 24-year-old was a late addition to Monday's lineup after AJ Pollock was scratched with a head cold, but it's encouraging that Vaughn has been given clearance to play the outfield late in spring training. Although Vaughn was limited by a right hip pointer late in camp, it appears as though he's now healthy ahead of Opening Day.

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.

Rizzo went 2-for-2 with a home run and an additional run scored Saturday in a Grapefruit League win over the Braves.

Rizzo left the yard for the first time this spring when he belted a solo shot to right field in the third inning. The veteran first baseman has seen action in nine exhibition games, slashing .333/.429/.500 with three RBI and two stolen bases over 28 plate appearances.

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.

Vaughn (hip) will bat ninth as the White Sox's designated hitter in Sunday's Cactus League game against the Rockies.

Vaughn will check back into the spring lineup for the first time in a week, after he was forced to exit early in the White Sox's March 27 game against the Dodgers due to a right hip pointer. Though the injury no longer looks like it affects Vaughn at the plate, it's unclear if he'll receive full clearance to play the outfield (or first base) ahead of the White Sox's season opener Friday in Detroit. Regardless, the fact that Vaughn is available as a DH will likely be enough for him to avoid a stint on the injured list to begin the campaign.

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.

Naylor will begin the 2022 campaign on the 10-day injured list, Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Naylor had a slow start to spring training while recovering from his significant leg injury that he sustained in June of 2021, but he made his Cactus League debut Tuesday against the Dodgers. While the 24-year-old will be unavailable to begin the regular season, manager Terry Francona is hopeful that Naylor will be back in action following a relatively short stay on the injured list. While Naylor is sidelined, Bradley Zimmer and Oscar Mercado should see additional playing time in right field.