MLB Player News

Rizzo went 1-for-2 with a walk, an RBI and a run scored in Friday's 3-0 win over the Brewers.

Rizzo batted second and was productive in a game in which the Cubs only recorded five total hits. The slugging first baseman missed some time in summer camp due to a back issue, but he looks healthy to begin the season. The team might still get Victor Caratini some starts at first to keep Rizzo fresh during the 60-game sprint.

Olson went 2-for-4 with a grand slam and a walk during Friday's win against the Angels.

Olson wasted no time turning the first pitch he saw from Hoby Milner into a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the 10th inning. He marks the first player to hit a walk-off grand slam on Opening Day since Jim Presley in 1986 with the Mariners. Olson is coming off a successful 2019 campaign, during which he batted .267 with 36 home runs and 91 RBI.

Cron went 1-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in the Tigers' 7-1 loss to the Reds on Opening Day.

His homer traveled 447 feet and Statcast had it at 112 mph off the bat. As Andrew Simon of MLB.com notes, the Tigers had one home run over 111 mph all of last year. It seems safe to say Cron isn't budging from that cleanup spot.

Walker (groin) went 2-for-4 with an RBI single in Friday's 7-2 loss to the Padres.

Walker served as the designated hitter in Friday's game after some doubt that he would be ready for Opening Day. The 29-year-old's contribution to the offense came when he knocked in Starling Marte in the ninth inning. Walker swatted 29 homers and supplied 73 RBI while posting a .259/.348/.476 batting line in his first full season in 2019. With the National League adopting the designated hitter in 2020, Walker's bat should be in the lineup almost every day.

Calhoun went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 7-2 loss to the Padres.

Calhoun sent an offering from Padres reliever Emilio Pagan to deep right-center to get the Diamondbacks on the board in the seventh inning. After a career-best 33 homers and a .467 slugging percentage with the Angels in 2019, Calhoun figures to be a fixture in the middle of manager Torey Lovullo's lineup. The power will have to be enough -- Calhoun hasn't hit over .250 since 2016.

Votto went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Friday's 7-1 win over the Tigers.

Both hits were off lefty Matthew Boyd. Votto had one home run against a left-handed pitcher all of last season (144 plate appearances), so this was an encouraging way to kick off the 2020 campaign for the veteran. He is batting in the two hole ahead of Eugenio Suarez and Nick Castellanos.

Walker (groin) will bat fifth and serve as the designated hitter in Friday's season opener against San Diego.

Walker had been battling a groin strain for over a week, though he remained confident about his readiness for Opening Day. That optimism turned out to be accurate, though he won't be taking the field just yet, with Jake Lamb getting the nod at first base. Whether that's the Diamondbacks' preferred alignment or if Walker will be back at first base soon remains to be seen.

Freeman (illness) was activated from the injured list Wednesday.

Despite a late start to summer camp due to COVID-19, Freeman was able to make the Opening Day roster and will presumably be in the three hole for Atlanta against Jacob deGrom on Friday. Freeman was open about his battle with COVID-19, telling FOX Sports that he prayed for his life at one point when his fever spiked to 104.5 degrees. Fortunately, Freeman now seems to be feeling back to his normal self, at least for the most part. He had three hits, including a homer and a double, in Monday's intrasquad game.

Dalbec will practice at Boston's alternate camp, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Dalbec had an outside shot of making the 30-man roster, but the Red Sox opted to keep Rule 5 pick Jonathan Arauz.

Cronenworth is part of the Padres' 30-man roster.

Cronenworth had been on the bubble for an Opening Day roster spot, but he got the nod Thursday in part due to the absence of Jorge Mateo (illness). Cronenworth is not expected to pitch this season, instead serving exclusively as a utility infielder.