MLB Player News

Abreu has returned to spring camp and is in the lineup for Friday night's Cactus League game, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

The slugger missed the last three days testifying in a smuggling case in Miami. Abreu will get back to preparing for 2017 after slashing .293/.353/.468 last season and recording at least 100 RBI for the third straight year. Expect him to see plenty of opportunities in a weak White Sox lineup this season as he aims to continue his major league success.

Rizzo (back) remains out of the Cubs' Cactus League lineup Friday, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

Chicago remains conservative with the Cubs' masher after scratching him from the starting order Thursday. Fantasy drafters shouldn't panic, though, as Rizzo has plenty of time to get healthy before Opening Day.

Stassi started in left field Thursday for the first time this spring and went 3-for-5 at the plate.

Stassi is off to an excellent start in his quest to win a bench job. He is hitting .636 with a 1.940 OPS in 12 plate appearances this spring.

Abreu (personal) is expected to return to the spring training lineup Friday after completing his testimony in a trial of two men accused of smuggling Cuban ballplayers illegally, according to manager Rick Renteria, Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The first baseman should continue his preparation for the 2017 season. Perhaps he'll convince fantasy players to buy him with a strong showing: Abreu holds a 61.97 NFBC average draft position as of Thursday afternoon, which is a relative discount to other high-priced first basemen. Reminder: Abreu has matched or eclipsed 25 home runs, 100 RBI, a .290 batting average and a .347 OBP in each of his first three big league seasons.

Hague went 1-for-2 in Wednesday's spring training loss to Pittsburgh. He's hitting .444 (4-for-9) this spring.

Hague spent 2016 in Japan but had just a .685 OPS with the Hanshin Tigers. He's a long shot to make Minnesota 25-man roster, but a strong spring could put him in consideration for a call-up if injuries strike early in the season.

Rizzo is experiencing lower back tightness and has been scratched from the Cubs' Cactus League lineup Thursday, Patrick Mooney of CSN Chicago reports.

It appears to be a safety measure, but Chris Dominguez will replace him at first base. Rizzo's status is worth watching, but unless the injury worsens in the coming days or weeks, the 27-year-old should remain a steady first-round mixed fantasy pick.

Abreu (personal) won't return to White Sox camp until Friday, CSN Chicago's Dan Hayes reports.

He is currently testifying in court regarding a Cuban ballplayer smuggling operation, but is a witness, not a suspect, and will be back with his team this weekend. Abreu is currently going at a discount in drafts (NFBC ADP: 62), considering he has logged three straight seasons with 25-plus home runs, 100-plus RBI and a batting average north of .290.

Cron went 2-for-3 with his first home run of the spring in Tuesday's win over the Cubs.

In most cases, spring training stats do not matter; Cron, however, is an exception to the rule when you consider that he is locked in a position battle with the newly-acquired Luis Valbuena. Both players offer plus power and sub-par defense at first base, so how they perform -- both with the bat and the glove -- will determine who ends up with the lion's share of starts. Even with the less-preferred handedness, Cron will be given a fair shot to win the job after slashing a career-best .278/.325/.467 in 443 plate appearances last year.

Bell (knee) has been cleared to run the bases and will begin playing in simulated games in the coming week, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. "He is in the final stages of his preparation for game activity," trainer Todd Tomczyk said.

Bell underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee one month ago. He's been taking grounders and running in straight lines, but the latest news is even more encouraging. "Actually, it's felt great for a couple weeks now," Bell said. "I guess the soreness from the incision points where they scoped into the knee, the soreness there has gone away. I feel as close to 100 percent as I'm going to feel."

Kirilloff will undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery next Wednesday to address a lingering elbow injury, MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger reports.

Kirilloff, who was drafted 15th overall by the Twins last June, first hurt his elbow in late August while playing in the Appalachian League, and while it was expected that a full offseason of recovery would be all the outfielder needed before returning to the field, the injury proved to be more serious than the organization realized. The 19-year-old won't be able to resume baseball activity for five months, and is expected to endure a nine-month rehab process in total, which could prevent him from playing in winter ball, in addition to the entire minor-league season. While Kirilloff is expected to make a full recovery from the procedure and more or less maintain his skills, he's nonetheless in store for a slower climb through the Twins' minor-league system. He slashed .306/.341/.454 with seven homers and 33 RBI across 232 plate appearances with rookie-level Elizabethton upon signing with the Twins last summer.