MLB Player News

Kiriloff left Saturday's game against the Rays with mild left knee soreness, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

The fact that the Twins are calling the issue mild and his removal precautionary seemingly indicates that Kiriloff has a chance to be ready for Opening Day against the Mariners on Thursday. If the issue turns out to be something that can't be solved with a few days of rest, Brent Rooker or Luis Arraez could spend time in left field. A longer absence could also give non-roster invitees Jake Cave and Kyle Garlick the chance to make the team.

Santana has gone 10-for-26 with two doubles, six RBI and three runs scored through nine Cactus League games.

Santana's always been a bit questionable from a batting average standpoint -- he's only hit at or above .260 in three of his 12 major-league campaigns. He's usually more solid with plate discipline, but he faltered there in 2021 as well with career-low marks in walk rate (13.2 percent) and on-base percentage (.319) in 158 games. He added 19 home runs, 69 RBI, 66 runs scored and a pair of stolen bases. He'll turn 36 a day after Opening Day, so it's tough to bet on a bounce-back campaign here. If Santana declines further, Hunter Dozier, Ryan O'Hearn or prospect Nick Pratto could get a longer look at first base.

Mountcastle went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Friday's 3-2 win over the Phillies.

Mountcastle is in fine form in spring training, going 7-for-20 with two home runs, a double, four RBI and four runs scored through eight games. He's seen time at first base and left field in his two MLB seasons, though he's expected to get the majority of his playing time at first base going forward. Mountcastle and Trey Mancini may alternate at designated hitter as well, but both should be expected to play nearly every day. Mountcastle emerged as a solid power bat with 33 home runs, 89 RBI, 77 runs scored, four stolen bases and a .255/.309/.487 slash line in 144 contests in 2021.

Torkelson has made the Tigers' Opening Day roster, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

The Tigers seemed open to the idea of breaking camp with the 2020 first-overall pick on their roster, and that's now been officially confirmed by GM Al Avila. Torkelson cruised through the minors last season, hitting .267/.383/.552 with 30 homers in 121 games. He's continued to swing a hot bat this spring, posting an .846 OPS in 12 games while striking out just four times.

Calhoun started in right field and went 1-for-3 with two strikeouts in Friday's spring training game against the Giants.

Coming off a subpar 2021, the 33-year-old Calhoun has done little to improve his appeal entering 2022. The outfielder has four singles in 19 at-bats. He was limited to just 51 games for the Diamondbacks in 2021 due to a hamstring injury and didn't contribute much when on the field (.670 OPS). Calhoun's slated to start in right field for Texas this season, but the Rangers will keep options open if he repeats last season's performance.

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.

Olson went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays.

He blasted a fourth-inning offering from JT Chargois out to right-center field for his first homer of the spring. Olson is batting .263 (5-for-19) with a sharp 4:3 BB:K, and with his power stroke coming around he appears just about ready for Opening Day. The 28-year-old, picked up from the A's in the offseason to replace Freddie Freeman, is coming off a career-best campaign in which he slugged 39 homers and 111 RBI.

France is hitting just .231 (6-for-26) with a home run and three RBI across nine exhibitions this spring but is penciled in as the Mariners' everyday first baseman.

France has forged a collective .294/.368/.449 slash line across the last two seasons, and he's coming off having recorded a career-high 18 home runs and 73 RBI while playing 152 games for Seattle in 2021. The 27-year-old could be primed for an even bigger season in 2022 with more protection around him in the lineup stemming from the offseason acquisitions of Adam Frazier, Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suarez.

Goldschmidt went 4-for-4 with a home run, a stolen base and three runs scored in Wednesday's 29-8 win over the Nationals.

Goldschmidt has used a new bat model for the first time in his career, per Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, and it's been paying off in spring games. The first baseman is 10-for-19 with three homers, a double, four RBI and seven runs scored in eight Grapefruit League contests. Goldschmidt remains a high-end first baseman in fantasy who should be a solid pickup around the fourth round.