MLB Player News

Torkelson has just three hits in 18 Grapefruit League at-bats so far with six strikeouts.

Torkelson is off to a slow start, which is discouraging after he struggled to a .203/.285/.319 slash line across 360 at-bats as a rookie in 2022. The team has suggested the 23-year-old will serve as the everyday first baseman this season, and as a one-time No. 1 overall pick, he should be given plenty of opportunities to succeed. Fantasy managers should stay patient, as Torkelson has the talent and pedigree to get rolling at any point, though there could still be some rough patches along the way.

Vaughn has gone for 7-for-19 with one home run, four RBI and two runs scored through seven games in Cactus League action.

Vaughn has earned at-bats in the exhibition season at both first base and designated hitter, though he's projected to serve primarily in the former role once the regular season kicks off. He'll be tasked with filling in for Jose Abreu, who departed for the Houston Astros this offseason. Vaughn took a step forward in 2022, maintaining a .271/.321/.429 line across 555 plate appearances. He'll be asked to be a key contributor once again in 2023, with the hopes that he can another step forward in production.

Guerrero (knee) hit off a tee Tuesday and continues "to feel better," Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

A report earlier Tuesday suggested that Guerrero could get in some cage work by this weekend, but evidently he didn't need that much time. There's no timetable for when he might be cleared to run the bases and return to game action, but the slugger is trending in the right direction. He should be fine for Opening Day, barring any setbacks.

Gurriel (knee) and the Marlins remain in touch on a potential minor-league contract, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Gurriel had been holding out hope of scoring a guaranteed major-league deal, but it's pretty clear by now that such an offer is not coming his way. The 38-year-old first baseman slashed just .242/.288/.360 over 146 regular-season games with the Astros in 2022 before suffering a sprained right MCL in Game 5 of the World Series. He should be recovered from that injury at this point and still rates as a solid defensive player, but Gurriel doesn't offer much offensive upside steering into the 2023 campaign. He'll turn 39 in June.

Guerrero (knee) could be ready to hit in the batting cage by this weekend, Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun reports.

Guerrero continues to receive treatment on his sore right knee and is making steady progress each day. The injury is considered minor, but the Blue Jays will take things slowly with their star first baseman. Guerrero figures to be ready to return to Grapefruit League play by next week and has plenty of time to get tuned up by Opening Day.

Pratto has gone 5-for-12 across five Cactus League games.

Pratto started off a little slowly, but he posted four hits over the last two games, including his second double of the spring in Sunday's contest against the Giants. Pratto needs a strong spring to begin the year in the majors -- he was surpassed by Vinnie Pasquantino on the depth chart at first base a year ago, and it's expected catchers MJ Melendez and Salvador Perez will share the bulk of the time at designated hitter when they're not behind the dish. Pratto slashed just .184/.271/.386 with seven home runs, nine doubles and 20 RBI across 182 plate appearances as a rookie last season.

Olson went 2-for-3 with a home run, two runs scored and three RBI in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.

The first baseman crushed a two-run shot to right field in the first inning off Carlos Rodon, his second homer in as many days and third in five contests. Olson's gone 8-for-12 in total to begin his spring, and while he's never been known as an asset in the batting average category, MLB's new limits on shifting could help the 28-year-old improve on last year's .240 average without costing him any power.

White (general soreness) started at first base and went 0-for-2 in the Mariners' 6-1 Cactus League win over the Brewers on Sunday.

White logged five innings in the field and took his last at-bat in the sixth as the Mariners eased him back into action following a two-game absence for rest. The 2017 first-round pick will continue his quest for a spot on the Opening Day roster moving forward, but he's hitting just .125 (1-for-8) across four Cactus League contests.

Guerrero (knee) told reporters on Sunday that he's making progress but won't rush back to game action, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Guerrero said that he's thankful that the injury is not worse. The star first baseman wanted to play for the Dominican Republic in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, but he said that the Blue Jays are his priority. The 23-year-old will likely sit out a few more games in the Grapefruit League, but it does appear likely he'll be ready for the start of the regular season.

White (soreness) is hitting sixth and playing first base Sunday in Cactus League action against the Brewers.

White was scratched from the lineup Friday because of general soreness, and the Mariners gave him a couple of days to recover. The infielder is battling for a spot on the Opening Day roster, but the former top prospect is likely ticketed for Triple-A Tacoma to begin the year.