MLB Player News

Olson is intent on making up for a poor 2020 season and believes he identified several mechanical issues with his swing over the offseason, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports. "To put it bluntly, I stunk last year, in my opinion," Olson said. "There were definitely things wrong with the swing that I was going out there with every day. I don't think that represents in any way the caliber of player that I think that I am."

The slugging first baseman still demonstrated plenty of pop with 14 home runs and 19 extra-base hits overall across 245 plate appearances in 2020, but his .195 average and .310 on-base percentage left plenty to be desired. So, too, did his career-worst 31.4 percent strikeout rate, which Olson believes was largely the result of leaving his bat "too horizontal" in his setup, which led to issues with his timing when subsequently completing his swing. Olson worked with hitting coach Darren Bush via virtual sessions during the offseason to address that and other issues, and consequently, the 26-year-old heads into spring training confident he can return to the caliber of play that led to a .267/.351/.545 line with 36 home runs and 91 RBI in 2019.

The White Sox announced Wednesday that Abreu is being held out of spring training after testing positive for COVID-19, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Per James Fegan of The Athletic, general manager Rick Hahn relayed that Abreu believes he contracted the virus in January, but the first baseman has been "completely asymptomatic" and "feels great." Even so, Abreu is expected to remain away from the team for the next several days in compliance with MLB intake protocols. Manager Tony La Russa said that he's hopeful that Abreu could return to the team by Monday, James Fegan of The Athletic reports. Whether his absence impacts his availability for the start of the regular season remains to be seen.

Smith (not injury related) arrived at spring training Wednesday, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports.

Smith's arrival at camp was slightly delayed due to a non-physical issue, but he'll join the team for workouts Wednesday. Even after his brief absence, Smith should have plenty of time to prepare for the regular season.

Noda was acquired by the Dodgers from the Blue Jays on Tuesday to complete the trade for Ross Stripling, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Stripling was traded to the Blue Jays in August for a pair of players to be named later, and Noda will be the second player the Dodgers receive to complete the deal. The 24-year-old last played in 2019 at the High-A level and had a .238/.372/.418 slash line with 13 homers and 14 stolen bases in 117 games.

France projects to get the bulk of playing time at designated hitter this season before eventually transitioning to third base full-time, likely in 2022, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

A trade deadline acquisition from the Padres last summer, France made quite the impression with a .309/.371/.469 line, five doubles, a triple, two home runs and 13 RBI across 89 plate appearances. The Mariners are intent on getting his bat into the lineup on an everyday basis, hence the 26-year-old being ticketed for designated hitter work while Kyle Seager likely plays out his final Mariners season at the hot corner. With Seattle holding a $15 million option on Seager for 2022, France can presumably seal the veteran's fate by continuing to produce at a caliber similar to his late 2020 run during the coming campaign.

Cooper is expected to split playing time at first base with Jesus Aguilar to begin the season, Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald reports.

"In general, we feel like we are going to get both of those guys a lot of at-bats with a combination of first base and outfield," manager Don Mattingly said. "Days off for different guys. We want both of these guys in the lineup as much as possible." The 30-year-old Cooper could also see reps in right field, but the offseason addition of Adam Duvall will likely limit how much time is available for other players in right. As a result, it might take a trade, or the last-minute re-introduction of the DH to the National League, for either Cooper or Aguilar to see anything close to a full-time role, even before considering the potential presence of prospect Lewin Diaz in the mix. Cooper certainly earned a significant role in Miami after posting a .281/.347/.459 slash line in 141 games over the last two seasons.

Freeman has yet to arrive at camp for Atlanta after his wife gave birth to their third child Sunday, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

"Not a big deal at all," manager Brian Snitker said. "Most of the time, he gets hot the first 10 days then gets bored for 10 days and gets it back going. Not worried about him at all. I'll be honest with you, he doesn't need to be here." Freeman, who is heading into the final season of his current contract, is expected to report later this week and will then need a couple days to get through the league's COVID-19 protocols before he'll be able to get on the field, leaving him plenty of time to prepare for the regular season.

Goldschmidt (elbow) was spotted taking part in fielding drills during the Cardinals' workout Tuesday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

As an established veteran, Goldschmidt may be eased into game action during the Grapefruit League slate, but his presence on the field for the start of spring training suggests he's made a full recovery from the offseason procedure he required to remove a bone spur from his right elbow. The 33-year-old doesn't provide much value as a base stealer these days, but he's nonetheless been a rock-solid fantasy option at first base through his first two seasons in St. Louis, and that's unlikely to change in 2021. Expect him to slot in the heart of the order of a Cardinals lineup that could be improved this season after the addition of Nolan Arenado earlier in the winter.

Texas manager Chris Woodward said it's possible that both Lowe and Ronald Guzman make the Opening Day roster, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

When the Rangers acquired Lowe, it was presumed the organization was moving on from Guzman. However, that was before Guzman earned MVP honors in the Dominican Winter League. Woodward said there's a world where both first basemen can break camp with the Rangers, but that would mean both have a strong spring training. In that event, the Rangers could use Lowe at third base, where he's appeared six times for Tampa Bay and another five times while in the minors.

Vaughn took his first batting practice of training camp Monday, Lamond Pope of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Vaughn is the latest White Sox prospect entering spring training with buzz. In 2019 it was Eloy Jimenez and last year Luis Robert was the toast of camp. Both of those players cemented full-time roles in the lineup, and now Vaughn begins his competition for the open designated hitter job. The 2019 third overall draft pick hasn't played above High-A, but decision-makers in the organization feel he's ready to hit MLB pitching.