MLB Player News

Calhoun has been dealing with right knee inflammation since the offseason and went for an MRI on Tuesday, Zach Buchanan of The Athletic reports.

Calhoun still has time to be ready for Opening Day if the MRI reveals nothing serious, but even a shutdown of just a week or two could threaten his readiness for the start of the season, which is now less than a month away. The veteran is coming off a strong season that saw him finish tied for seventh in the league with 16 homers, so losing him would be a blow to the Diamondbacks. Tim Locastro or Josh VanMeter could step into bigger roles if Calhoun's forced to miss time.

Freeman said Tuesday that he's tentatively planning on opening the 2021 season as the Braves' No. 3 hitter, Gabe Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Freeman started out last season in the three hole, but he ultimately moved into the No. 2 spot for his final 17 starts of the abbreviated campaign. The first baseman posted a monstrous 1.202 OPS as the No. 2 hitter compared to a .982 OPS batting third, but that difference can probably be chalked up to a small sample of plate appearances more than anything else. Whatever spot he occupies, Freeman should be an elite source of counting stats in a potent Braves lineup while also giving fantasy managers a solid foundation in both batting average and on-base percentage. Like many established stars around the league, Freeman is being eased into game action this spring, with his Grapefruit League debut coming Friday against the Twins, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com.

White Sox manager Tony La Russa said Abreu may make his spring debut Tuesday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Abreu entered camp late due to COVID-19. He's taken batting practice every day since Saturday, appeared in an intrasquad game, and fielded groundballs Monday.

Blandino is also in the picture among those competing for the Reds' starting shortstop job, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Blandino, who remained at the Reds' alternate training site in 2020, profiles as a utility infielder if he makes the team. The 28-year old from Stanford University hasn't hit for much power as a pro, but at least has a decent batting eye. It's revealing that the Reds never turned to him as an alternative last season despite getting so little production from their shortstops.

Hoskins (elbow) is expected to get into game action by the end of the week, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Hoskins' readiness for Opening Day was initially thought to be at risk when he underwent Tommy John surgery back in early October. While he hasn't yet gotten into a Grapefruit League game, that's also true of other Phillies regulars who aren't coming off injuries like Bryce Harper. Hoskins said at the start of camp that he expects to be ready for the start of the regular season, and that should still be true as long as he gets into game action soon and gets through it without setbacks.

Tigers manager AJ Hinch said Torkelson (finger) has been cleared for game action, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Torkelson didn't make the trip with the Tigers to Tampa for Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees, but he'll be included on the travel roster in Bradenton for Tuesday's five-inning game versus the Pirates. Even if he doesn't start in that contest, the touted prospect should have a good chance at getting an at-bat or two off the bench.

Hiura played first base and went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run in Sunday's spring opener.

Hiura wasted no time socking his first homer of the spring, going deep in first exhibition at-bat. His punchout problems persisted, though, as he was rung up in his next two at-bats. The Brewers will live with Hiura's lack of contact, and he figures to be in the lineup nearly every day. However, the bulk of his starts figure to come at first base and not at the keystone, the position he played in his first two seasons at the big-league level.

Dalbec started at first base and went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Sunday's spring game against Minnesota.

Dalbec should be Boston's primary first baseman in 2021 following a season in which he slugged .600 (.337 ISO) with eight home runs over 80 at-bats. There's a lot of swing-and-miss to him (42.4 K%), but Dalbec's power numbers have been exemplary in the minors.

Voit (foot) is starting at first base and batting cleanup in Sunday's spring opener against the Blue Jays.

The 30-year-old played with plantar fasciitis throughout 2020, but he appears to be entering spring training in good health. Voit was still significantly productive with a .948 OPS, 22 homers and 52 RBI in 56 games, so he has high expectations entering 2021.

Freeman has arrived in Florida and should begin on-field workouts early this week once he clears intake testing, Gabriel Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The first baseman got a delayed start to camp after his wife gave birth last weekend, but there are no worries about him being ready for Opening Day. Freeman is coming off an MVP campaign, and with free agency potentially looming next offseason, he figures to be locked in from the jump.