MLB Player News

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.

Miller went 1-for-2 with a pinch-hit home run in Monday's spring training game against the Mariners.

Miller hit for starting third baseman Andy Ibanez and stayed in the game to play the hot corner. The home run was the third of the Cactus League for Miller, who is 7-for-16 with six RBI over five games. Third base appears to be Ibanez's position to lose, but the multi-positional Miller is in the mix there as well as left field, two positions that were wide open when spring training began.

Alvarez (personal) will serve as Houston's designated hitter and No. 4 batter in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Alvarez was scratched from Sunday's spring lineup due to a personal issue, but the matter apparently won't keep him away from the Astros for more than a day. The 24-year-old slugger has logged just five at-bats in spring games thus far, but he still has plenty of time to get in the reps he needs to prepare himself for Opening Day.

Tampa Bay plans to use Ramirez as the team's right-handed DH and occasional outfielder against lefty pitchers, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Ramirez hit .268 with seven home runs last season, but he fared better against left-handed batters. He hit .288 with a .774 OPS against lefties, compared to .258 with a .665 OPS against righties. Ramirez was 37th in the majors last year with an average exit velocity of 91.3 mph but lacked plate discipline (3.9 BB%, 45.2 O-swing%). Tampa Bay must be banking that he can make better contact this season in a platoon role.

Ohtani will serve as the Angels' leadoff hitter to begin the regular season, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Ohtani has hit from the leadoff spot for the majority of spring training, and he's delivered a .455 on-base percentage across 11 plate appearances. He spent the majority of the 2021 season hitting either second or third, so his shift up the order will not be drastic. However, it will give him the opportunity to maximize volume, of particular importance if he receives days off when he takes the mound.

Alvarez was scratched from Sunday's Grapefruit League lineup due to a personal matter, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Alvarez was penciled in to start in left field but will instead step away from the team, and it's unclear when he'll retake the field. Kyle Tucker will shift to left field in his place while Lewis Brinson enters the lineup in right.

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.