MLB Player News

Dalbec will soon get starts as an outfielder in spring games, Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Dalbec is competing with C.J. Cron to be the right-handed backup behind Triston Casas at first base and can also play third base. With Rob Refsnyder (toe) set to miss four-to-six weeks, the Red Sox will give Dalbec exposure to the outfield. He doesn't have major-league experience there, but Dalbec did play 36 games in right field for Triple-A Worcester last season. Dalbec, who started at third base Wednesday and went 2-for-4, is 8-for-27 (.296) with a double, a home run and seven RBI over 12 Grapefruit League contests.

Casas went 1-for-3 with a walk, a solo home run and an additional run scored in Wednesday's spring game against the Yankees.

Casas got hold of a Carlos Rodon slider and sent it 421 feet at 109.1 mph. That the blast came off a lefty pitcher is significant, as Casas slashed just .215/.361/.456 against southpaws in 2023. This season, with Justin Turner gone, Casas could get more starts against lefties. The Red Sox have right-handed batters C.J. Cron and Bobby Dalbec competing to back up Casas, and either one could steal those starts if the lefty struggles continue. Casas is 3-for-23 with five walks through nine Grapefruit League games, including 1-for-6 against southpaws.

Montero may be forcing his way into the lineup with his performance this spring, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Montero is projected to be on the Opening Day roster, though his fit in the starting lineup is unclear. He'd likely gain at-bats at designated hitter due to his defensive deficiencies, which would in turn push Charlie Blackmon to the outfield while endangering Sean Bouchard's playing time. Montero has displayed a familiar profile this spring, as he's posted an impressive .333 ISO but is still striking out at a 27 percent clip.

Toglia was scratched from the Rockies' Cactus League lineup for Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks due to neck stiffness, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Toglia should be considered day-to-day. Hunter Goodman will take Toglia's spot in the lineup, playing first base and batting eighth.

Guerrero (knee) will bat third as the designated hitter in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates.

It's uncertain when Guerrero might return to the field, but he'll be able to return to exhibition play and get his at-bats in after making it through a full workout Tuesday. While Guerrero has been in and out of the lineup in recent days due to finger and knee issues, the Blue Jays don't seem to have any serious concern about his availability for Opening Day at this stage. The team didn't order imaging on his left knee.

Abreu (knee) could return to Grapefruit League action as soon as Wednesday or Thursday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Abreu has been unavailable for a few days with right knee soreness, but he will hit and field grounders Tuesday and a return to game action appears imminent. The veteran first baseman has gone 4-for-14 at the plate through six games so far this spring.

Guerrero (knee) will go through a full workout Tuesday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Guerrero is missing a second straight Grapefruit League contest Tuesday with a left knee contusion, but he does not need any imaging and Blue Jays manager John Schneider said the club is "just being cautious right now." Expect Vlad Jr. to return in a day or two.

Guerrero (knee) is out of Tuesday's lineup against the Yankees.

He was scratched from Sunday's lineup due to a left knee contusion suffered Saturday and was not in Monday's lineup either. Manager John Schneider will speak to reporters later in the morning and could provide an update on Guerrero's status.

Cron started at first base and went 0-for-2 in Monday's spring game against the Pirates.

Cron, who signed with Boston at the beginning of the month, made his Grapefruit League debut. He told CJ Haddad of MLB.com that it felt good to be out there, after the first baseman was limited to 71 games in 2023 due to a back injury. Cron is competing for a backup job at first base along with Bobby Dalbec. Of the two, Cron has a better track record of hitting MLB pitching.

Gallo (quadricep) will start at first base and bat cleanup in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

After experiencing a sore left quad following his third appearance of the spring back on Feb. 28, Gallo was out of the lineup for about a week before returning to action Thursday and Friday. He was limited to designated hitter duties on both days, but Gallo's ability to play the field Monday suggests that the quad injury is firmly in the rear-view mirror at this stage.