MLB Player News

Blue Jays manager John Schneider was optimistic that Guerrero (knee) would be fine after leaving Friday's game during the second inning, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Guerrero will be evaluated by the club Saturday, but there are no plans to send him for an MRI, which is an excellent sign the issue is a minor one. The 23-year-old slugger was expected to leave Blue Jays camp for the World Baseball Classic on Sunday.

Goldschmidt was scratched from the Cardinals' Grapefruit League lineup Friday due to a family matter, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

This confirms that Goldschmidt's sudden absence was not injury-related. The reigning National League MVP will presumably be able to return to action over the weekend in Cardinals camp before he heads off to join Team USA for the World Baseball Classic.

White was scratched from the Mariners' Cactus League lineup Friday due to general soreness, Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times reports.

Mariners general manager Justin Hollander called it a precautionary move and said it's not a huge concern. White slugged his first home run of the spring Monday in his second Cactus League game, and he'll hopefully be able to return to action over the weekend. He's trying to avoid being sent back to Triple-A Tacoma to begin the 2023 campaign, although it's tough to project him for regular playing time with Ty France at first base and Teoscar Hernandez likely to be the regular DH.

Montero is expected to get a chance to compete for the Rockies' third base job with Ryan McMahon moving to second, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

It will be Montero and Nolan Jones duking it out at the hot corner, general manager Bill Schmidt told Sherman. Montero faded late with the Rockies last season but overall held his own in his first stint in the majors with a .702 OPS and six home runs over 53 games. He's out of options, so the 24-year-old will make the Opening Day roster no matter what. Montero would be at a disadvantage in a potential platoon scenario though, as the right-handed hitter to Jones' left-handed bat.

Guerrero (undisclosed) left Friday's contest versus the Rays in the second inning, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

He was replaced by minor-leaguer Rainer Nunez after Guerrero looked a bit awkward running the bases. More information on his status will likely be provided following the ballgame.

Diaz is expected to be held out of Grapefruit League action until at least next Thursday due to a hip flexor injury, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

It's not clear when Diaz suffered the injury, but he hasn't played since Monday and is in line to miss several more days. It doesn't at this point appear to be anything that could prevent him from being available for Opening Day. Diaz is slated to mostly play first base this season for the Rays.

Goldschmidt was scratched from the Cardinals' Grapefruit League lineup Friday, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Worthy is hearing the move is not injury-related, so Cards fans can breathe a sigh of relief. Juan Yepez will take Goldschmidt's spot at first base.

Hoskins (knee) is scheduled to make his first Grapefruit League start at first base Sunday against the Blue Jays, Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

That will follow his overall Grapefruit League debut at DH on Friday versus the Tigers. Hoskins has been brought along slowly this spring following December surgery to repair the meniscus in his right knee, but there is no concern about his readiness for Opening Day.

Batten (calf) resumed a running program Wednesday, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Batten has yet to appear in a Cactus League game because of a strained calf, but he seems to be making progress. The 27-year-old would seem to have enough time to get ready for Opening Day if he can keep moving in the right direction, although he's likely to start the year in the minors, anyway.

Votto (shoulder/biceps) said Wednesday that he remains without a timetable for when he'll be able to return to game action, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. "I want to make sure when I come back, I come back ready," Votto said. "It's not more complicated than that."

The first baseman noted that he's been making good progress and is feeling good while he works his way back from August surgery to repair his left bicep along with a torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder. Votto is expected to miss at least the first half of the Reds' Cactus League slate, and even if he's able to play in exhibition games in the second half of March, he could still require a brief stint on the injured list to begin the season.