MLB Player News

Stanton (calf) will resume throwing and hitting tee-and-toss Saturday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

He is also continuing to run on an anti-gravity treadmill in addition to resuming baseball activities. It's encouraging that Stanton is ramping up, but he is still doubtful to be ready for Opening Day.

Stanton (calf) has started running on an Alter-G anti-gravity treadmill, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

According to manager Aaron Boone, Stanton got up to six miles per hour on the treadmill, toeing the line between a brisk jog and a light run. While the increased activity is a good sign that Stanton's right calf strain is improving, the slugger remains doubtful to be ready for Opening Day.

Martinez went 2-for-3 with three-run home run in Wednesday's spring game against the Tigers.

The homer was Martinez's second of spring training and third extra-base knock in four hits. Entering his age-32 season, Martinez is still an elite and productive hitter.

Solak looks fine in center field but won't be the Rangers' primary option there, at least early in the season, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

The Rangers appear confident that the versatile 25-year-old, who played only second and third base during his 33-game debut last season, can handle the position, but they prefer Danny Santana out there for now. It looks as though Solak's primary work will come at third base, which pushes Todd Frazier into a competition with Ronald Guzman. and perhaps Greg Bird, at first base. Solak's flexibility means he could wind up playing multiple spots throughout the season to cover for injuries or underperformance by his teammates.

Manager Dusty Baker said Wednesday that Alvarez will be withheld from baseball activities for "three to four days" while the slugger manages knee soreness, Matt Young of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Alvarez's shutdown seems to be precautionary more than anything, but until he re-enters the Astros' Grapefruit League lineup, his status will be one worth tracking. Alvarez is expected to occupy a spot in the heart of the Houston lineup in 2020 after an exceptional rookie campaign in which he posted a .412 on-base percentage, 27 home runs and 78 RBI in just 87 games with the big club.

Solak started in center field and went 0-for-3 in Tuesday's spring game against the Giants.

Solak made his fourth start and played his sixth game in center field Tuesday as the Rangers continue to evaluate the infielder for a shift to the outfield. Texas manager Chris Woodward will also give him starts at third base, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports. The manager wants to get Solak's bat in the lineup, whether that be in center or third. If it's third base, then Todd Frazier could move across the diamond to first base, where neither Ronald Guzman (.176) nor Greg Bird (.067) has grabbed hold of the open spot.

Alvarez's removal from the lineup for Tuesday's game against St. Louis was due to soreness in his knees, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Manager Dusty Baker didn't sound particularly concerned, calling the lineup change precautionary. It sounds as though Alvarez is expected to be fine by Opening Day, though that won't be entirely clear until he returns to the lineup.

Alvarez was scratched from the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Cardinals for undisclosed reasons, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

If the young slugger is dealing with an injury, that should be revealed at manager Dusty Baker's upcoming press conference. Alvarez is looking to build on his incredible rookie season, which saw him win Rookie of the Year despite playing in just 87 games. He hit .313/.412/.655 with 27 homers.

Stanton (calf) isn't expected to be ready to play by Opening Day, but he is expected to play at some point in April, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Stanton suffered a Grade 1 right calf strain in late February. His readiness for Opening Day was in doubt from the start, but the injury wasn't considered likely to keep him out all that long. It appears that his prognosis hasn't meaningfully changed one week later, though it remains to be seen if "some point in April" is closer to the beginning or the end of the month.

Buxton (shoulder) is close to participating in live batting practice in the next few days, MLB.com reports. "The recovery couldn't have really gone any better to this point," Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. "That being said, we don't have it mapped out as far as when we're going to get him out there to play."

Buxton underwent surgery on his torn labrum in September, placing his availability for Opening Day in some question. He had stood in during live batting practice before, but according to this report did not take full swings. It's thought that he'll be ready for the start of the season, but it would be encouraging to see him ramp up activity in the next week as this report doesn't make it sound like he's as far along as thought when spring training began. He may only appear in a few spring training games before the regular season begins if all goes well.