MLB Player News
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Freddie Freeman 1B | LAD
Dodgers' Freddie Freeman: Could debut Wednesday
Freeman (rib) estimated after Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Cubs that he has a "75 percent chance" of being ready to play in Wednesday's series finale in Tokyo, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.
Freeman was a late scratch from Tuesday's lineup after feeling discomfort in his left ribcage during batting practice. The first baseman noted that the soreness is in the same spot where he tore rib cartilage during the postseason last fall, although he added that the current issue is less severe. While Freeman seems fairly optimistic about his chances of playing Wednesday, it would not be a surprise if the Dodgers exercised caution and elected to hold him out until next week's domestic opener.
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Freddie Freeman 1B | LAD
Dodgers' Freddie Freeman: Scratched with left rib discomfort
Freeman was scratched from the lineup for Tuesday's season opener against the Cubs in Tokyo due to left rib discomfort, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.
Vassegh notes that Freeman was on the field for batting practice prior to the game and suggests the first baseman might have felt discomfort during batting practice. The timing is brutal, but if there is a silver lining, it's that Freeman's removal from the lineup is not related to the ankle that required surgery in the offseason.
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Freddie Freeman 1B | LAD
Dodgers' Freddie Freeman: Scratched from lineup
Freeman has been scratched from the lineup for Tuesday's season opener against the Cubs in Tokyo, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.
The reason for Freeman's removal was not immediately available. He was brought along slowly in camp after undergoing right ankle surgery in December. Enrique Hernandez will move in to first base, opening up left field for Michael Conforto against left-hander Shota Imanaga.
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Paul Goldschmidt 1B | NYY
Yankees' Paul Goldschmidt: Departs game with sore back
Goldschmidt was removed from Monday's Grapefruit League contest against the Blue Jays due to a sore back, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.
Goldschmidt said he's been battling through the injury for a few days. He went 0-for-1 with a walk before exiting. Goldschmidt expressed no concern that the injury might affect his Opening Day availability, so consider him day-to-day. He's produced a 1.077 OPS with three home runs so far this spring.
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Spencer Steer 1B | CIN
Reds' Spencer Steer: Starting throwing program Tuesday
Steer (shoulder) will begin a throwing program Tuesday, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Steer played through a right shoulder strain late last season and the injury has lingered this spring, limiting him to only seven plate appearances at designated hitter. While his readiness for Opening Day seems unlikely, the Reds are not ready to rule him out yet. Wittenmyer notes that a cortisone injection has knocked out the inflammation in Steer's shoulder and the focus lately has been correcting bad habits created by compensating for the injury. The Reds likely would want Steer available to play the field in order to avoid the IL, and it's uncertain when he might be cleared for that.
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Jac Caglianone 1B | KC
Royals' Jac Caglianone: Cut from big-league camp
The Royals reassigned Caglianone to minor-league camp Monday.
Caglianone never had a real chance to make the Royals' Opening Day roster, but he nonetheless turned heads in camp, putting up a 1.871 OPS with three home runs over 13 Cactus League tilts. The 22-year-old is likely to begin the season at Double-A Northwest Arkansas and could push to debut in 2025 if he's able to make enough contact.
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Spencer Torkelson 1B | DET
Tigers' Spencer Torkelson: Could see regular starts at DH
Torkelson could open the season as the Tigers' regular designated hitter if Kerry Carpenter is used mostly in right field, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
With Parker Meadows (arm) and Matt Vierling (shoulder) slated to open the season on the injured list, Wenceel Perez will shift over to center field and Carpenter might see most of his reps in right field. That opens up the DH spot, and Petzold projects Torkelson to fill it, at least on a short-term basis. Torkelson is coming off a disappointing 2024 season that saw him put up a .669 OPS in 92 regular-season contests, but he's had a nice spring, clubbing four homers in 14 tilts.
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Nate Lowe 1B | BOS
Nationals' Nathaniel Lowe: Slow going in spring ball
Lowe went 1-for-3 with a strikeout in Sunday's spring game against the Rays and is hitting .200 through 13 Grapefruit League contests.
The first baseman hasn't been a strong spring performer throughout his career with a .227 average, so the poor numbers don't necessarily mean much. After being acquired from the Rangers in December, Lowe will bring some stability to first base in Washington after posting a .265/.361/.401 slash line with 16 homers and 69 RBI last year.
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Joey Gallo LF | CHW
Joey Gallo: Making switch to pitching
Gallo announced Sunday via social media that he plans to make a full-time transition to pitching.
Gallo requested, and was granted, his release from the White Sox on Sunday after going 2-for-20 with 11 strikeouts in nine games during spring training. The 32-year-old primarily played first base during his time with the Nationals last season, but he showcased elite arm strength when he played more of the outfield earlier in his career. Chicago wasn't willing to hold onto him as he transitioned to pitching, so Gallo will have to hope he can show enough potential on the mound to latch on somewhere else.
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Joey Gallo LF | CHW
Joey Gallo: Let go by South Siders
The White Sox released Gallo on Sunday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.
Gallo linked up with the White Sox on a minor-league deal in mid-February after the Nationals declined his $8 million mutual option for the 2025 season. He struggled in nine spring outings, going 2-for-20 with one walk and one RBI while striking out 11 times. Gallo is now a free agent after being granted his unconditional release by the White Sox, and the 31-year-old could struggle to catch on with another club ahead of Opening Day.