MLB Player News

Smith went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.

Stepping to the plate with a runner on base in the sixth inning, Smith hooked a Genesis Cabrera pitch down the right-field line for his first long ball of the spring. The 27-year-old is coming off a rough final season with the Mets that saw him fail to hit a homer in 152 plate appearances, but Smith is just a couple years removed from a .316/.377/.616 slash line during the pandemic season. The 2013 first-round pick will be given every chance in camp to win the starting first base job for the Nationals.

Hoskins (knee) will start at first base in Sunday's spring game, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Hoskins was expected to make his first start of the spring at first base Sunday, and he will indeed do just that. With just under four weeks to go in spring training, expect Hoskins to be back at full speed well in advance of Opening Day.

Goldschmidt (personal) is in the lineup for Sunday's exhibition contest.

Goldschmidt took a couple days to tend to a family matter, but he is back with St. Louis, and he will play first base and hit third for the Cardinals on Sunday.

Kirilloff (wrist) continues to make progress and could be ready to play in a spring training game later in March, Phil Miller of The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. "He's on track. The plan is, if he's healthy at the end of camp, he's competing for a spot," said Derek Falvey, the Twins' president of baseball operations.

It's a little bit of a surprise that Kirilloff may not play in a major-league spring game until mid-March, but it doesn't sound like the lack of plate appearances will hurt his chances to make the roster. Kirilloff had a second surgery on his right wrist last August to shorten the ulnar bone and clean up scar tissue. He's been taking live batting practice and says there's no pain in his wrist. If fully healthy by the end of training camp, he's likely to earn a spot in the starting lineup at first base and designated hitter.

Guerrero (knee) underwent an MRI which revealed nothing more than minor knee inflammation, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.

The lack of structural damage is a great sign for Guerrero and his ability to get back on the field shortly. That said, his status for the World Baseball Classic remains in doubt - if there's any question about Guerrero's health, the Blue Jays seem unlikely to send their star first baseman to the tournament.

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.