MLB Player News

Soler went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets.

The slugger took Chris Bassitt deep in the first inning for his first homer this spring. Soler has been getting a look in the leadoff spot for manager Don Mattingly, an unorthodox choice given his power and .316 OBP last season, but the 30-year-old did post a .354 mark in that category in 2019 for the Royals. If he sticks atop the lineup, Soler would likely trade some RBI for runs over the course of the season, but the Marlins' batting order could be fluid all year.

Belt (knee) will serve as the Giants' designated hitter and will bat second in Monday's Cactus League game against the Athletics.

Belt started at first base and went 0-for-2 in his spring debut Saturday against the Dodgers, but the Giants will have him fill a non-defensive role in the lineup for his second start of the Cactus League season. The Giants plan to keep Belt in the starting nine Tuesday before deciding whether he's fit to be part of the Opening Day roster, or if he'll require a brief IL stint to begin the season. Darin Ruf would likely absorb most of the at-bats at first base if Belt is sidelined for the start of the campaign.

Belt (knee) struck out swinging in his two plate appearances Saturday and said it may take a few weeks for him to find his rhythm at the plate, Evan Webeck of the San Jose Mercury News reports.

He will have played at most three exhibitions games before Opening Day, and Belt hopes to play both Monday and Tuesday before determining his status for Opening Day. Belt only played in four spring training games last year and still set a career high with 29 home runs in 97 games, but he admitted that he's not where he'd like to be yet at the dish. The Giants are shorthanded, as LaMonte Wade and Evan Longoria are set to open the year on the injured list, so Darin Ruf, Wilmer Flores and Austin Slater could be set for more regular playing time early in the year.

Harper has crushed the ball this spring, hitting .346/.393/.846 with four homers in 10 games.

The only blemish on Harper's Grapefruit League line is a 42.9 percent strikeout rate, but he looks ready to go in every other way. Harper is coming off a season in which he won the NL MVP, hitting .309/.429/.615 with 35 homers and 13 steals. He should have even more chances for runs and RBI this season after the Phillies added Nick Castellanos and Kyle Schwarber in free agency.

Belt (knee) is starting Saturday's Cactus League game against the Dodgers, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Belt will make his first appearance in a spring game Saturday after dealing with knee inflammation to begin camp. It's not yet clear whether the 33-year-old will be ready to play by Opening Day, but it's encouraging that he's returning to game action late in spring training.

Belt (knee) could make his spring debut Monday, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Knee inflammation has slowed Belt throughout camp, but the Giants still have some optimism that he'll be ready for Opening Day. If he's able to avoid the injured list, he'll still likely see a reduced workload over the first week or so of the season, as he'll have played in a maximum of two spring training games.

Hummel's chances of earning a roster spot improved after Arizona announced Jordan Luplow sustained an oblique strain and may open the season on the injured list, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Hummel, a switch hitter, already stood a good chance of making the roster as the lone righty among a bunch of left-handed swingers in the outfield. The 27-year-old is enjoying success at the plate in spring training, going 5-for-17 with five walks, a home run, three RBI and six runs scored. "I've been really impressed with his approach and his ability to command the strike zone," manager Torey Lovullo said. "He just has a lot of good baseball concepts that he's applying every single day." Hummel, who was acquired from the Brewers last season in the Eduardo Escobar trade, has not yet appeared in a regular season MLB game. He slashed .311/.432/.546 with 12 home runs, 21 doubles, six triples, 52 RBI and 70 runs scored over a combined 92 games at Triple-A Nashville and Triple-A Reno in 2021.

Belt (knee) will run the bases Wednesday and could make his Cactus League debut sometime this weekend, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Belt has been dealing with knee inflammation recently but has participated fully in workouts despite being held out of game action. Manager Gabe Kapler has remained optimistic that the 33-year-old will be ready for Opening Day, and it would certainly be encouraging if he was able to make his Cactus League debut this weekend.

Giants manager Gabe Kapler said Tuesday that Belt (knee) remains on track to be ready for Opening Day "for now," Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

Belt has dealt with knee inflammation this spring and hasn't gotten into a Cactus League game, but he's been able to participate fully in workouts. He won't get to face much live pitching unless he returns to game action soon, but the Giants seem fairly confident in his readiness nonetheless. Injuries will remain a concern for the veteran throughout the year, as he's played 112 or fewer games in three of the last four full seasons, but he's a good bet to produce strong numbers when healthy. He homered 29 times in 97 games last season while slashing .274/.378/.597.

Ozuna went 1-for-2 with a walk, a three-run home run and a second run scored in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins.

Chi Chi Gonzalez left a pitch over the heart of the plate in the third inning and Ozuna sliced it down the right-field line, watching it carry over the fence for his first homer this spring. The veteran slugger played in only 48 games last season before spending the rest of the year on administrative leave due to domestic violence charges, but the league made his eventual suspension retroactive and he will be available for Opening Day, likely as Atlanta's designated hitter. Ozuna's .644 OPS in those 48 games might be the more immediate concern for prospective fantasy investors, but if the 31-year-old can find a middle ground between his 2020 and 2021 performances, he'll have plenty of value.