MLB Player News
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Christian Walker 1B | HOU
Astros' Christian Walker: Undergoes ultrasound on oblique
Walker said Thursday that he underwent an ultrasound on his left oblique but is waiting for the inflammation to subside before having additional imaging done, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Walker had to be scratched from Wednesday's Grapefruit League lineup versus the Cardinals due to the oblique injury. The first baseman missed five weeks of action for the Diamondbacks with a similar injury during the second half last season, but he said Thursday that his current injury isn't as severe. A stint on the injured list to begin the season remains a distinct possibility, but more will be known about Walker's status following the additional imaging.
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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 1B | TOR
Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero: Slated to bat second this season
Blue Jays manager John Schneider plans for Guerrero to bat second and Anthony Santander to hit third this season, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.
Guerrero began last season in the No. 2 spot but wound up hitting third for the bulk of the campaign. Schneider has not decided on a leadoff man or cleanup hitter, noting that Bo Bichette is an option for both spots "depending on who we're facing." Seemingly, George Springer is another prime candidate to hit ahead of Guerrero.
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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 1B | TOR
Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero: Unlikely to see much time at 3B
Blue Jays manager John Schneider indicated Wednesday that he doesn't expect to use Guerrero much at third base this season, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
The Blue Jays have been open to the idea of using Guerrero more at the hot corner. However, there's currently not an obvious alternative at first base to push Guerrero to third base and maximize the team's offensive potential. Vlad Jr. is still likely to make an occasional start at the hot corner, but fantasy managers shouldn't be counting on him picking up third base eligibility on platforms where he doesn't already have it.
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Christian Walker 1B | HOU
Astros' Christian Walker: Scratched with sore oblique
Walker was scratched from Wednesday's lineup versus the Cardinals due to left oblique soreness, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
The severity is not yet known, but any injury to the oblique is cause for concern. More information on Walker's condition should be available later Wednesday. Jon Singleton will replace Walker in Wednesday's lineup and would also likely take his spot at first base should Walker need time on the injured list at the start of the season.
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Bryce Eldridge 1B | SF
Giants' Bryce Eldridge: Reassigned to minors camp
The Giants reassigned Eldridge to minor-league camp Wednesday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
He was one of a host of cuts the Giants made Wednesday. Eldridge managed to make it all the way to Triple-A Sacramento in 2024 as a 19-year-old (he's 20 now), so he's just a step away from the big leagues. However, it's not a surprise that he's a relatively early cut from major-league camp, as the top prospect could still use a little development. A debut at some point in 2025 is in play for Eldridge.
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Spencer Horwitz 1B | PIT
Pirates' Spencer Horwitz: Will hit off tee soon
Pirates senior director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Horwitz (wrist) is expected to progress to hitting off a tee by this weekend or early next week, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Horwitz is currently taking dry swings as he works his way back from right wrist surgery and will take another step forward in his progression soon. He will not be ready for Opening Day, but a return sometime in April is possible. Once healthy, Horwitz is projected to serve as the Pirates' primary first baseman.
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Triston Casas 1B | BOS
Red Sox's Triston Casas: Scratched from lineup
Casas has been scratched from the lineup for Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates due to an illness, Alex Speier of the Boston Globe reports.
Casas is the latest victim of a bug that's been making its way through the Red Sox clubhouse. He should be ready to play in a day or two. Nathan Hickey will sub in at first base and bat cleanup Tuesday.
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Ryan Mountcastle 1B | BAL
Orioles' Ryan Mountcastle: Encouraging start to spring
Mountcastle went 1-for-2 with a run scored and an RBI in Monday's Grapefruit League game against Boston.
Mountcastle is off to an encouraging start this spring, having gone 4-for-11 with three runs scored and the aforementioned RBI. The offseason departure of Anthony Santander has created an opening in the top half of Baltimore's lineup for other members of the club to fill, with Mountcastle being one of the candidates to do so in 2025. While it's unknown where Mountcastle will slot in most days, the 28-year-old slugger is slated to serve as the Orioles' primary first baseman and is making an early case to hit in the heart of the order more often than not.
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Ryan O'Hearn 1B | SD
Orioles' Ryan O'Hearn: First hit of spring Monday
O'Hearn went 1-for-3 with one strikeout in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox.
O'Hearn was able to get his first hit of the spring out of the cleanup spot in Baltimore's lineup, as he's now gone 1-for-12 during spring training. The 31-year-old veteran slugger is set to function as the Orioles' primary designated hitter versus right-handed pitching in 2025, but he does have 2020 first-rounder Heston Kjerstad fighting for at-bats as well. O'Hearn is likely to be on the strong side of a platoon, so he is best deployed in daily leagues or deeper formats.
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Matt Olson 1B | ATL
Braves' Matt Olson: Flexing muscles in camp
Olson went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.
He went back-to-back with Austin Riley in the first inning off Marcus Stroman. The blast was Olson's second of the spring in 13 at-bats, and the 30-year-old first baseman will look to rebound this season after what was by his standards a disappointing 2024 campaign in which he produced "only" 29 homers and 98 RBI.