MLB Player News

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.

Cron (back) will go through a full workout Friday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Cron will taking batting practice and participate in fielding drills with his teammates. He's missed the last week of action with back spasms but is trending toward being available for Opening Day, provided he can avoid any setbacks in his recovery.

Tellez went 0-for-3 in Thursday's exhibition contest.

Tellez did not do anything noteworthy Thursday, but he did appear in his first game since rejoining the Brewers following his WBC stint with Mexico. Tellez homered three times in five spring games before his departure, and he will open the season as Milwaukee's primary option at first base.

Hoskins will receive a second opinion, but Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Friday that it's pretty clear the first baseman suffered a torn left ACL, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Hoskins suffered the unfortunate injury while trying to chase down a grounder during Thursday's Grapefruit League contest versus the Tigers. Assuming the second opinion confirms the tear as expected, Hoskins will undergo surgery and miss the entire 2023 campaign. He's slated for free agency after the season.