MLB Player News

Diaz (hand) will start at third base and bat leadoff in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers.

Diaz will be making just his third appearance of the spring after he exited early in his most recent game Friday when he was hit in the left hand by a pitch. Fortunately for Diaz, X-rays returned negative, and after getting a couple days off to let any swelling or soreness subside, he'll assume his usual duties at the plate and in the field Monday.

Lowe went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in Sunday's spring game against Seattle.

Lowe drilled an 0-2 pitch that caught too much of the plate for his first Cactus League home run and extra-base hit. He had a monster second half in 2022, connecting for 15 home runs and a .965 OPS after the All-Star break. There was no weakness at the plate, as the lefty-batter fared better against southpaws than against righties. Is one breakout season enough for fantasy managers to put faith in Lowe? The deeper metrics indicate he adjusted his swing for more loft; if that continues in 2023, he could be a sneaky value pick for fantasy managers.

Manzardo went 2-for-4 with a home run, a double, a walk, four RBI and two runs scored in a Grapefruit League game against the Mets on Sunday.

Manzardo wasn't in the lineup with the Rays' regulars, but he did take Carlos Carrasco deep to account for his second homer of the spring. As he has at every stop in his minor-league career, Manzardo has hit well this spring, maintaining a 1.207 OPS across 21 plate appearances. He won't start the season in the majors, but there's a strong possibility Manzardo makes his big-league debut at some point in 2023.

Toglia went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and three strikeouts in Sunday's Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks.

Toglia was in the lineup at first base, though he'll be trying to crack the Opening Day roster as an outfielder. His chances of doing so have improved due to injuries to Sean Bouchard (biceps) and Randal Grichuk (groin), though he has struck out 12 times across 39 plate appearances through 13 games this spring. Toglia also struck out at a 36.7 percent clip in a 120 plate-appearance sample in Colorado to close the 2022 campaign.

Manager John Schneider said Guerrero (knee) "felt good" after running the bases Sunday and will do so again Monday before the team re-evaluates him for his potential return to game action, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

The slugger, who will turn 24 years old Thursday, was forced to pull out of the World Baseball Classic after he experienced knee inflammation in early March, but he appears to be nearing full health. Guerrero may be able to return to Grapefruit League games later in the week if all goes well on the bases again Monday.

Bell has gone 2-for-19 (.105) with six strikeouts and a walk over his first seven Cactus League games.

Bell struck out at just a 15.8 percent rate between the Nationals and the Padres last year, so his lack of contact early in spring is mildly concerning. On the positive side, both of his hits have been for extra bases -- one home run and one double. He's a career .262 hitter with an .810 OPS who averages 25 homers per 162 games, so he should provide some pop while playing regularly as either the designated hitter or first baseman for Cleveland.

O'Hearn is out of the lineup for Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox due to a sore knee, Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Sun reports.

O'Hearn recently suffered the injury while making a leaping play in the outfield, and he's currently considered day-to-day. The 29-year-old is a longshot for the Opening Day roster after being outrighted off Baltimore's 40-man roster in January, and any prolonged absence will only further reduce his chances of making the team.

Batten (calf) is starting at third base and batting ninth in Sunday's Cactus League game against the Athletics.

Batten has been held out of spring action thus far due to a strained calf, but he'll make his Cactus League debut Sunday. The 27-year-old received his first taste of the big leagues last year and went 2-for-19 in 15 games, but he's likely to be back with Triple-A El Paso to open the 2023 campaign.

Manager Aaron Boone said Rizzo was scratched from Sunday's Grapefruit League lineup due to a "cranky back," Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

The 33-year-old managed back stiffness throughout the 2022 campaign, and it appears he'll battle the issue again this season. Boone doesn't believe the flare-up is serious this time around, and Rizzo could be back in the lineup Tuesday. However, it's worth keeping an eye on Rizzo as the rest of camp progresses, as the injury seems likely to linger given his past issues in the area.

Votto is hitting second and playing first base Sunday in a Cactus League game against the Dodgers.

It will be the first appearance of the spring for Votto, as the veteran first baseman has been brought along slowly after missing the end of the 2022 campaign with a torn rotator cuff and a left bicep injury. The 39-year-old is not the fantasy stalwart he once was, but his fantastic approach at the plate still should allow him to get on base at a solid clip, and hitting near the top of the Reds' lineup does give him the opportunity to help in the runs category.