MLB Player News

Manager Dusty Baker said Saturday that it's "still the plan" for Alvarez (hand) to be ready for Opening Day, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

He took swings in the batting cage Friday and the skipper's comments suggest Alvarez emerged from that session just fine. While more hand issues are concerning after he dealt with similar injuries last season, his time away from baseball activities seems precautionary in large part -- at least that's the way the team is framing it.

Turner (face) is making "big improvements," according to Ian Browne of MLB.com. Turner might take batting practice Sunday.

In addition to taking BP in the near future, Turner is also getting his stitches removed after he was hit in the face by a pitch and taken to the hospital earlier this week. Turner received 16 stitches and dealt with significant swelling, but he cleared all is scans and appears tentatively on track to be ready for Opening Day.

Belt (knee) will serve as the designated hitter and bat third in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles.

The veteran will don a Blue Jays uniform for the first time after 12 years with the Giants. Belt, who underwent right knee surgery last September, has been brought along slowly in camp thus far. If healthy, Belt should serve as the primary DH against right-handed pitching, ceding occasional starts to Alejandro Kirk and Danny Jansen among others.

Mariners manager Scott Servais mentioned Friday that Hummel will start moving around the field in upcoming Cactus League games, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Hummel has been focused on catching in the early part of camp, but the team wants to see him at several spots in the second half of the Cactus League schedule. Acquired from the Diamondbacks in the Kyle Lewis deal, Hummel will likely be the third catching option behind Cal Raleigh and Tom Murphy, but he could also see playing time at the corner outfield and infield positions.

Belt (knee) took live batting practice Friday in Blue Jays camp, Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun reports.

Belt has yet to appear in a Grapefruit League game this spring as he completes his recovery from September knee surgery, but the restraints could come off as soon as this weekend. The 34-year-old joined the Jays on a one-year, $9.3 million contract in January and is expected to be a regular option at DH while occasionally spelling Vladimir Guerrero at first base.

Brantley (shoulder/personal) is not expected to be ready for Opening Day, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Brantley has been brought along slowly this spring as he works his way back from shoulder surgery, and he's been away from the team for a week or so while dealing with a family matter. It's not clear when he might return and at this point he's simply running out of time. Brantley still has some fantasy appeal as the projected No. 2 hitter in a strong Astros lineup, but his injury history and mediocre power make him both a risky option, and one with a limited ceiling.

Alvarez (hand) took swings in a batting cage Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

It's a big step for the slugger as he works his way back from nagging left hand soreness. A clear timetable for Alvarez hasn't been provided to this point, but there's been no indication he could be in jeopardy of missing Opening Day. Alvarez dealt with soreness in both hands off and on last season.

Buxton's absence from Grapefruit League games to this point has been by design and not related to injury, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Per Gleeman, the Twins don't see spring training games as more useful for veterans than back-field work. Buxton entered camp with no health restrictions and will play in some Grapefruit League games eventually, although it's unclear when that might happen.

Ohtani pitched four scoreless innings for Japan against China in the World Baseball Classic on Thursday, allowing one hit and no walks while striking out five batters. He also went 2-for-4 with a double, a run and two RBI as a hitter.

Ohtani unsurprisingly starred for Team Japan in the squad's 8-1 victory, as he once again demonstrated his immense talent both on the mound and at the plate. This was the second time he's started a game as a pitcher this spring, with the other being in a Cactus League contest March 1 during which he hurled 2.1 scoreless frames. Where Ohtani is being drafted in fantasy is partly dependent on how he's able to be utilized, but he's unlikely to fall out of the first round in any format.

Turner (face) visited the Red Sox' spring training complex Thursday and the team is hopeful he'll have time to get ready for Opening Day, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Turner will not resume on-field workouts until his stitches are removed, which is expected to happen in about two weeks. That gives him a pretty tight window to knock some rust off before the opener, but it seems doable since he already has six games under his belt and, as a veteran, probably doesn't need a ton of at-bats.