MLB Player News

With Spencer Torkelson making the Opening Day roster, per Jason Beck of MLB.com, Cabrera will likely serve as the team's primary designated hitter this season.

Cabrera made 44 appearances at first base last season versus 83 starts at DH, and that split could get even more extreme in 2022 with Torkelson on board and set to play first most days. Cabrera may still fill in at first when Torkelson rests, but the veteran looks like he won't play the field very much unless injuries change the team's plans.

Miller started in left field and went 1-for-3 with two stolen bases and a run scored in Friday's spring training game against the Giants.

Miller led off the game with a single then promptly stole two bases and scored on a throwing error. He's not expected to lead off for the Rangers -- that's Marcus Semien's job -- but Miller is expected to be the team's primary left fielder. He's also played some third base this spring, but Andy Ibanez is seen as the primary glove at the hot corner. The 32-year-old Miller has hit safely in all eight Cactus League contests, going 10-for-24 with three home runs, two doubles, six RBI, two stolen bases at six runs scored.

Rooker (shoulder) is starting Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays.

Rooker will be back in action following a brief absence due to a right shoulder strain. It doesn't appear as though his injury will affect his status for Opening Day.

Buxton went 3-for-3 with two home runs in Friday's spring training win over Atlanta. He's hitting .407 (11-for-27) with four home runs this spring.

Buxton appears to be picking up right where he left off last season when he had a .647 SLG and a 1.005 OPS in 61 games. More importantly, he's fully healthy (he's played over 100 games just once in his career) as the regular season begins. He could be primed for a MVP-caliber season if he can figure out how to stay on the field.

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.

Lewis (knee) felt good after running the bases Friday and could participate in a minor-league game soon, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Lewis has been brought along very carefully this spring after missing most of last year following knee surgery. It doesn't look as though he'll have time to get ready for Opening Day, but he's trending in the right direction and doesn't seem set for a long absence as long as he can avoid setbacks.

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.