MLB Player News
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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 1B | TOR
Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr.: Gets first hit of spring
Guerrero started at third base Sunday and went 1-for-3 with an RBI single in the Blue Jays' 9-8 exhibition loss to the Orioles.
Lauded for his excellent quality of contact, Guerrero's first hit of the spring came on a soft infield single that traveled just far enough out of range of the pitcher to plate a hard-charging Lourdes Gurriel from third base. Per Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca, manager Charlie Montoyo said he plans to use most of the Blue Jays' position players every other day during the spring, so Guerrero's next opportunity to play should come Tuesday versus the Red Sox. Regardless of how he performs this spring, baseball's top prospect is expected to open the season at Triple-A Buffalo before likely earning the call to the big leagues at some point in April.
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Luke Voit 1B | NYM
Yankees' Luke Voit: Cracks first homer of spring
Voit went 2-for-3 with a home run and four RBI in Sunday's Grapefruit League win over the Rays.
Greg Bird had two hits Saturday, including a double. Voit responded with his first long ball of the spring Sunday, a fourth-inning blast off right-hander Ryne Stanek. The Yankees have said publicly that this is Voit's job to lose.
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Christian Walker 1B | HOU
Diamondbacks' Christian Walker: Homers, drives in four
Walker went 2-for-3 with a double, a home run and four RBI in Sunday's Cactus League win over the Indians.
It's a make-or-break spring for Walker, who is out of minor-league options. He's mashed at Triple-A in recent years but has yet receive an extended look in the major leagues. The 27-year-old may finally get his opportunity in the form of a short-side platoon role alongside Jake Lamb at first base.
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Justin Bour 1B | SF
Angels' Justin Bour: Dealing with minor hamstring issue
Bour has a minor hamstring problem but expects to return within a few days, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
Bour should be an everyday player early in the season until Shohei Ohtani returns from Tommy John surgery and forces Albert Pujols to compete for time at first base. Assuming Bour is indeed able to return in a few days, his status for Opening Day shouldn't be in much doubt.
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Pete Alonso 1B | BAL
Mets' Pete Alonso: Starts spring hot
Alonso homered on the first pitch he saw this spring and added a walk in the Mets' victory over the Braves on Saturday.
Alonso launched a two-run shot off Touki Toussaint to tie the game in the second inning. The first baseman will reportedly be given a fair shot to earn an Opening Day roster spot, and games like Saturday's can only help his chances. The Mets could earn an extra year of control by keeping him in the minors, but with the team looking to compete and with new general manager Brodie Van Wagenen wanting to be "a player's guy," it's certainly possible that they buck the growing trend.
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Triston Casas 1B | BOS
Red Sox's Triston Casas: Healthy again
Casas (thumb) took batting practice at Boston's minor-league camp Friday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.
Casas, the Red Sox's top pick in the 2018 draft, suffered a right thumb injury in his second professional game last June and underwent season-ending ulnar collateral ligament repair surgery. The gigantic third baseman -- the media guide lists the 19-year-old at 6-foot-5, 240 pounds -- is healthy once again. RotoWire ranks him fifth among Boston's prospects, but he may be the best power hitter in the system.
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Bobby Dalbec 1B | CHW
Red Sox's Bobby Dalbec: Homers Friday
Dalbec hit a home run in the second inning of Friday's 6-0 spring victory over Northeastern University.
The Red Sox kicked off spring competition Friday with their traditional game against a Boston-area college. Dalbec slammed the first pitch he saw over the fence in center field. The 23-year-old is Boston's highest-placed power prospect after launching 32 big flies last year between High-A Salem and Double-A Portland. He's expected to open the season at Portland.
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Pete Alonso 1B | BAL
Mets' Peter Alonso: Now going by shortened first name
Alonso will now go by the first name "Pete," Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.
The first base prospect was previously referred to as "Peter," but it seems he now wants people to call him by his preferred, shortened version. Alonso is firmly in the running for the Mets' starting first base job this spring, though questions about his defense as well as service time considerations are making his Opening Day roster status a bit murky. It seems like he has the bat to succeed in the majors, however, as he produced a strong .285/.395/.579 slash line across Double-A and Triple-A last season.
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Dominic Smith DH | ATL
Mets' Dominic Smith: Outfield experiment ends
Smith will only play first base this spring, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.
Smith played 13 games in left field last season as the Mets attempted to find ways to get him playing time. At the moment, though, his bat isn't good enough to play anywhere, let alone first base, as he's hit just .210/.259/.406 in 105 major-league games. With Peter Alonso about to arrive, Smith doesn't appear to have an obvious place in the short term or long term with the Mets.
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Ryan Mountcastle 1B | BAL
Orioles' Ryan Mountcastle: Getting work at first base
Mountcastle was spotted going through drills at first base during Monday's workout, Jon Meoli of the Baltimore Sun reports.
Mountcastle was drafted as a shortstop, and after transitioning to third base for the 2018 season, it appears he could be in line for another position change. The 22-year-old insisted that the shift to first base isn't permanent just yet, although, given his impressive bat, first base may be the quickest path to the big leagues for the 2015 first-round pick. "It was just trying to get me to play more positions," stated Mountcastle. "Flores had me working there the last few days, just trying to get comfortable with it so whenever they need me out there at first, they can put me out there and feel confident."