MLB Player News

Abreu (knee) will go through full workouts Friday and Saturday with the goal of starting at designated hitter in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies, Brian McTaggart of MLB.comreports.

The 37-year-old has been battling knee soreness over the past week, but a return to spring games this weekend would give him plenty of time to ramp up before Opening Day. Abreu could see more days off and more starts as the designated hitter this season after he posted a .679 OPS during his first campaign with Houston in 2023.

Votto will make his Grapefruit League debut for the Blue Jays on Sunday versus the Phillies, Jayson Stark of The Athletic reports.

Votto has seen some action in minor-league games since signing a non-roster invitee deal with the Jays a week ago, but this will be his first official spring training contest. The plan is for the 40-year-old to begin the season back in the minors in order to get in some reps, but if he looks good he could become an option for the major-league roster sooner rather than later.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Thursday that Gallo will be the team's primary first baseman this season, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

When Gallo was signed in January, the plan was for him to be the club's regular left fielder. However, the Nats have since signed Jesse Winker and Eddie Rosario and Gallo has also dealt with a quad issue. Martinez didn't rule out the possibility of Gallo eventually playing some outfield, but for now he'll be the first baseman while mixing in some starts at designated hitter. The news means Joey Meneses will be the everyday DH, while Rosario looks like the favorite for left field duties.

Guerrero (knee) is starting at first base and batting third in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers.

The 24-year-old returned to the lineup as the designated hitter Wednesday after sitting out a couple games with a bruised left knee, and he's back playing defense a couple days later. There never seemed to be significant concern over the injury, and there shouldn't be any worries regarding Guerrero's availability for Opening Day.

Aranda has maintained a 1.124 OPS across 29 plate appearances in the Grapefruit League.

Aranda entered spring as a strong candidate to earn a large-side platoon role at DH. He's done everything in his power to lock up those plate appearances, as he's struck out just 6.9 percent of the time while clubbing five extra-base hits. While it's not yet clear if Aranda will be a regular part of the Rays' lineup, he appears to be a safe bet to crack the Opening Day roster.

Cron started at designated hitter and went 1-for-2 with a walk in Thursday's spring game against the Phillies.

Cron made his second start since signing a minor-league deal with the Red Sox and reiterated to Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe that he's beyond the back injury that limited him during 2023. He and Bobby Dalbec are competing as the right-handed complement to Triston Casas at first base. Recently, manager Alex Cora talked about Dalbec getting outfield starts, which potentially signals both players making the roster. Dalbec could become the righty-hitting depth option in the outfield to replace the injured Rob Refsnyder (toe).

Rivas has gone 3-for-26 (.115) over 15 Grapefruit League games.

Rivas' hold on a 40-man roster spot is tenuous at best after being waived by three teams in the offseason. He's stuck around with the Cardinals for a while, but his poor hitting in the spring has left him with little chance of leapfrogging Alec Burleson for a spot as a backup first baseman/outfielder. Rivas hit a poor .229 with a .725 OPS over 48 games between the Pirates and the Padres last season.

Young has gone 2-for-31 (.065) over 15 Grapefruit League games.

Young provides organizational depth at the corner infield and corner outfield spots, but he's yet to get in a groove during spring training. The 28-year-old was claimed off waivers from the Cubs in November. Young's poor hitting in spring will likely mean he begins the year in the minors.

Smith disclosed this week in an interview with Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic that he's dealt with some form of right wrist or hand pain since reaching the majors in 2017.

Smith suffered a displaced fracture of his hamate bone in a Jan. 5 workout and underwent surgery Jan. 20 to remove the bone. The first baseman was diagnosed with tendinitis in the wrist years ago but suspects he might have been dealing with a small fracture all along that just worsened in January. Smith is in Cubs camp as a non-roster invitee and is competing for one of the final bench spots.

Toglia (neck) will start at first base and bat cleanup in Thursday's Cactus League game against the Guardians.

Toglia was scratched from the starting nine ahead of Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks while he dealt with neck stiffness, but the injury doesn't look to be anything that will derail his bid for the Opening Day roster. The 25-year-old corner outfielder/first baseman has made a compelling case to win a bench role with the Rockies this spring, as he's slashing .333/.429/.700 through his first 14 Cactus League games.