MLB Player News

Alvarez (hand) "should definitely be back for Opening Day," Astros general manager Dana Brown told the ESPN broadcast Tuesday, per Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle.

"We feel totally confident that he'll be in games sometimes midway through (spring training)," Brown added. Alvarez is currently shut down from swinging a bat due to renewed soreness in his left hand similar to what he dealt with in both hands last season. While it sounds like he won't get into any Grapefruit League games for a couple weeks, it does not appear the nagging injury will prevent him from being available come Opening Day.

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Lewis (legs) is expected to make his spring training debut "by the weekend," Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

The manager said Lewis has been dealing with leg fatigue, likely the result of numerous knee problems during his major-league career. The outfielder was the AL Rookie of the Year while with the Mariners in 2020 but has done little since.

Horwitz (undisclosed) will start at first base and bat second in Monday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta.

Horwitz came off the bench and went 1-for-3 with a run scored in the Blue Jays' Grapefruit League opener Saturday, but he'll now get the chance to make his first start of the spring. The 25-year-old concluded the 2022 campaign on injured list at Triple-A Buffalo due to an unspecified injury, but he looks like he's back to full health following the offseason. Horwitz slashed .246/.361/.363 across 202 plate appearances in his first taste of Triple-A following his midseason call-up from Double-A New Hampshire in 2022.

Ruf (wrist) took batting practice in an indoor cage over the weekend and is expected to move up to live batting practice in the next couple days, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The 36-year-old slugger got a cortisone shot in his right wrist last week after reporting some soreness as he was ramping up his activity level. Ruf is expected to be fully healthy by Opening Day, but he'll likely be limited to a platoon role this year, getting some starts at DH and being used as a pinch hitter against left-handed pitching.

Brantley (shoulder) will take batting practice on the field Sunday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

It's a significant step for the 35-year-old, as it will be his first session of batting practice since he underwent surgery to repair the labrum in his right shoulder back in August. Brantley still has some work to do in his rehab program before progressing to game action, but barring any setbacks he appears on track to be ready for Opening Day.

Manager Dusty Baker said Sunday that Alvarez (hand) has yet to start swinging a bat, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The 25-year-old was plagued by soreness in both his hands throughout last season and continues to have issues with his left hand early in spring training. It's unclear when Alvarez is expected to be cleared for swings, and he'll likely need at least a couple days of using a bat before being cleared for game action.

Blackmon (knee) is batting leadoff as the designated hitter in Sunday's spring game against the Brewers, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Blackmon ended the 2022 campaign on the injured list with a torn meniscus in his left knee, but he's ready to go early in spring training for the Rockies. The 36-year-old had a .264/.314/.419 slash line with 16 home runs and 78 RBI in 135 games last season, and he should serve as Colorado's primary designated hitter this year, which is the final season of his contract.

Lewis is working on strengthening his legs and will be a non-participant in early spring games, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports. "We have a plan and a process for him to just continue making sure that he's as game ready as possible," Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said.

Lewis' absence from game action was predetermined. Acquired from Seattle during the offseason, Lewis has dealt with knee problems throughout his career and managed to play in just 100 combined games over the last two years, including minor-league activity.

Solak (foot) is starting in left field and batting seventh in Sunday's spring game against the Giants, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Solak ended last season on the injured list with a fractured right foot but is good to go early in spring training. The 28-year-old was acquired by the Reds from the Rangers in November and will compete for a utility role in camp.

Belt has yet to participate in a full workout with the rest of the Blue Jays as he gets eased into spring training, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

The veteran first baseman is fully healthy after undergoing knee surgery in September, but the organization isn't in a rush to get him up to speed. Instead, Belt has been hitting in the batting cage and doing some running and fielding work on his own through the early part of camp. "My goal is to be ready for day one of the regular season and not day one of games in spring training," Belt said Friday. "We thought that the best thing to do was just to get here, make sure I'm ready to get in games. Once I get in games, I don't need that long to get ready. Maybe just a couple of weeks." The 34-year-old is expected to be Toronto's primary DH this season while occasionally spelling Vladimir Guerrero at first base, and if he can stay mostly healthy, Belt could rebound in a big way from last season's career-low .676 OPS.