MLB Player News

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Saturday that Choi (knee) will be shut down for 7-to-10 days, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Choi has dealt with right knee soreness throughout most of spring training and was checked out by a team doctor Saturday. Cash reiterated that he isn't overly concerned about the injury, but he said that the team should have a better idea after his week of rest as to whether his absence will affect his availability for Opening Day.

Choi is dealing with soreness in his right knee again, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Choi was bothered by a sore right knee earlier in camp, and it appears that is an issue again. The Rays "are not overly concerned" about Choi, according to manager Kevin Cash, but he will be checked out by a team doctor Saturday and an update on his status figures to be released after that.

Alvarez (knee) is scheduled to start at designated hitter in Sunday's spring game against the Cardinals, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The 23-year-old will make his spring debut after being limited to two games last season and ramping up his rehab work through the first few weeks of camp. Alvarez isn't expected to see any work in the outfield this season due to the knee issues, so he could operate exclusively as a designated hitter.

Jimenez went 2-for-3 with a triple and a solo home run in Thursday's spring game against the Reds.

The two extra-base hits were Jimenez's first of the Cactus League. Chicago's starting left fielder is 5-for-19 with three runs scored through seven spring games. Jimenez has established himself has one of the game's best sluggers and could put up monster counting numbers in 2021, the first year he'll have a chance to play a full 162-game schedule at the MLB level.

Stanton indicated Wednesday that he plans to spend some time playing in the outfield before the end of spring training, Max Goodman of Sports Illustrated reports.

Stanton has been tabbed the Yankees' everyday DH for the coming campaign, but the veteran nonetheless hopes to get a chance to play the field during Grapefruit League play. Manager Aaron Boone was noncommittal when discussing such a scenario, saying that those discussions have yet to take place and that Stanton could "possibly" get some outfield reps. Given the slugger's recent injury history, it wouldn't be surprising for the organization to play it safe in spite of Stanton's wishes.

Soler went 1-for-1 with a home run and a walk in Wednesday's 9-3 Cactus League win over the Reds.

The home run was the second in as many days for Soler, who had been off to a 2-for-15 start to the spring before this recent power surge. The 29-year-old hit .228 and mashed only eight homers in 43 games during an injury-plagued 2020 season, but he'll be eyeing a bounce-back campaign in 2021 after reporting to camp at full health.

Buxton has been out of the lineup since Sunday due to a broken tooth, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Buxton cracked his tooth while eating steak, per Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. He certainly doesn't have the best luck with injuries, though this particular issue probably won't sidetrack his season. He underwent a root canal and had a crown placed on the tooth Wednesday, so he should be able to get back into game action soon.

Lewis went 2-for-2 with an RBI single, a triple, a sacrifice fly and a run in a Cactus League win over the Royals on Tuesday, pushing his spring average to .364 (4-for-11) across five games.

Lewis was 0-for-4 after the Mariners' first two exhibitions, but he's atoned nicely with a pair of subsequent two-hit efforts. Expectations are elevated for the 25-year-old outfielder after he slugged 11 home runs in 2020 and garnered AL Rookie of the Year honors.

Solak started at second base and went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Tuesday's spring game against Cleveland.

Solak has appeared in six Cactus League games -- all at second base -- and is 4-for-15 with the one home run and two RBI. It looks like the Rangers' plan to have the utility player carve out a home at the keystone while Rougned Odor mans third is going to happen. Odor has started four consecutive spring games at the hot corner.

Alvarez (knee) could get into game action early next week, Mark Berman of KRIV Fox 26 reports.

Alvarez's incredible .313/.412/.655 slash line in his 87-game debut back in 2019 indicates the massive boost he could provide both the Astros and fantasy teams if he can just stay on the field. His knees are already rather poor for a player who's merely 23 years old, however, as they limited him to two games last season. The Astros are bringing him along cautiously this spring, but he's at least trending in the right direction and could get into game action with two weeks to spare before the start of the regular season.