MLB Player News

Alonso went 2-for-3 with a walk, a three-run home run and a stolen base in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays.

His third-inning blast off Luis Patino gave Alonso his fourth homer of the spring, but the steal was his first. The first baseman appears ready for Opening Day, having posted a .286/.394/.714 slash line in 34 plate appearances this spring. Alonso will take aim at his third career 40-homer campaign in 2023.

Guardians manager Terry Francona announced that Arias left Friday's game against the Cubs with a contusion on his right hand, Mandy Bell of MLB.comreports.

Arias was hit in the same hand that he broke in 2022, but he underwent a scan and everything has come back OK according to Francona. The utility player is not scheduled to undergo X-rays just yet, but the team might be waiting for any swelling to go down. For now, Arias should be considered day-to-day.

Arias left Friday's Cactus League game after being hit near his hand by a pitch, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Arias had a broken right hand that sidelined him in 2022, and he is expected to serve as a utility player for the Guardians in 2023. He immediately dropped to the ground after being hit, and looked to be in significant pain. If he ends up landing on the IL to begin the season, Tyler Freeman might be recalled to take Arias' spot on Cleveland's bench.

Casas hit a walkoff homer in the bottom of the ninth to give the Red Sox a 9-8 win over Atlanta in Friday's Grapefruit League game.

Casas smoked a two-run homer off Joe Harvey to give the Red Sox the victory. The 23-year-old has blasted three homers so far in the Grapefruit League, and he's also hitting .360 to show he's more than just a power threat at the plate. Casas is expected to have an everyday role for Boston, and while there may be some ups and downs in his first full season, he offers significant offensive upside.

Voit's removal from the Brewers' Cactus League lineup Friday was not injury-related, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

It seems to have more to do with the pending opt-out clause in Voit's minor-league contract with Milwaukee. The 32-year-old slugger has slashed .316/.333/.526 with two home runs and two doubles over 39 plate appearances this spring in the Cactus League, so he should have other offers out there if the Brewers don't give him an Opening Day roster spot.

Hiura was informed Friday that he will not be on the Brewers' Opening Day roster, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

That might explain why Hiura was scratched from the starting lineup for Friday's Cactus League game against the Dodgers. Milwaukee will look to trade the former top prospect over the next few days, per general manager Matt Arnold. If there are no takers, he'll be put on waivers. It sounds like the 26-year-old's time in the Brewers organization is about to come to an end.

Casas and Alex Verdugo will be the preferred options in the leadoff spot against right-handed pitching, Red Sox manager Alex Cora told Ian Browne of MLB.com on Friday.

Cora will use Enrique Hernandez and Christian Arroyo at leadoff versus left-handers as he mixes and matches at the top of the batting order. Casas would have more pop than most leadoff hitters, but his excellent batting eye makes him a fit. He's reached base at a .400 clip this spring while slugging a couple dingers.

Hiura was scratched from the Brewers' lineup ahead of their game against the Dodgers on Friday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

No word yet on what might be keeping Hiura out of the lineup, but the Brewers will likely provide an update soon. Hiura is slashing just .156/.229/.219 through 35 plate appearances this spring.

Voit (undisclosed) was removed from Friday's lineup versus the Rockies, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

After he was initially set to start at first base and bat fifth, Voit was pulled from the lineup for an undisclosed reason. It's possible that the 32-year-old is on the verge of becoming a free agent, considering his opt-out clause was pushed to Friday.

Smith is batting .302 (13-for-43) this spring with three home runs.

The 27-year-old failed to leave the yard at all last season in 152 plate appearances for the Mets, so Smith's spring power display -- which includes homers in back-to-back games Wednesday and Thursday -- is encouraging. He's penciled in as the Nationals' starting first baseman, but if he struggles at the plate again, Joey Meneses could shift over from DH and bump Smith to the bench.