MLB Player News
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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 1B | TOR
Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero: Proposed 15-year deal
Guerrero told ESPN's Enrique Rojas and Ernesto Jerez that his representation's final offer to the Blue Jays during contract extension negotiations was for 15 years and less than $600 million.
It's not clear what the Blue Jays' final proposal was, but Guerrero has said previously that the two sides were not close. He will turn 26 later this month, so it's not a surprise that he was seeking to match the length of the contract given to Juan Soto, who is a few months older than Guerrero. Teams in recent years have been reluctant to hand out megadeals to righty-swinging first basemen, so it will be interesting to see whether Vlad Jr. will be able to get the dollar figure he's seeking next offseason when he reaches free agency.
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Nick Loftin 1B | KC
Royals' Nick Loftin: Exits with illness
Loftin exited Thursday's Cactus League game against the Cubs with an illness.
Loftin returned to the lineup Thursday after missing the previous four days with a wrist issue. He went 0-for-2 at the plate before leaving the game and is now 6-for-13 this spring. Loftin is competing for a utility role after appearing in 57 regular-season games for the Royals last season.
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Nick Loftin 1B | KC
Royals' Nick Loftin: Back in lineup
Loftin (wrist) will start at third base and bat fourth in Thursday's Cactus League game against the Cubs.
Loftin was a late scratch from the lineup prior to Sunday's contest due to wrist soreness, but he appears to be feeling better after a few days of rest. The 26-year-old has fared well in his pursuit of an Opening Day roster spot, going 6-for-11 with three RBI and two runs scored across six spring games.
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Christian Walker 1B | HOU
Astros' Christian Walker: Undergoes ultrasound on oblique
Walker said Thursday that he underwent an ultrasound on his left oblique but is waiting for the inflammation to subside before having additional imaging done, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Walker had to be scratched from Wednesday's Grapefruit League lineup versus the Cardinals due to the oblique injury. The first baseman missed five weeks of action for the Diamondbacks with a similar injury during the second half last season, but he said Thursday that his current injury isn't as severe. A stint on the injured list to begin the season remains a distinct possibility, but more will be known about Walker's status following the additional imaging.
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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 1B | TOR
Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero: Slated to bat second this season
Blue Jays manager John Schneider plans for Guerrero to bat second and Anthony Santander to hit third this season, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.
Guerrero began last season in the No. 2 spot but wound up hitting third for the bulk of the campaign. Schneider has not decided on a leadoff man or cleanup hitter, noting that Bo Bichette is an option for both spots "depending on who we're facing." Seemingly, George Springer is another prime candidate to hit ahead of Guerrero.
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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 1B | TOR
Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero: Unlikely to see much time at 3B
Blue Jays manager John Schneider indicated Wednesday that he doesn't expect to use Guerrero much at third base this season, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
The Blue Jays have been open to the idea of using Guerrero more at the hot corner. However, there's currently not an obvious alternative at first base to push Guerrero to third base and maximize the team's offensive potential. Vlad Jr. is still likely to make an occasional start at the hot corner, but fantasy managers shouldn't be counting on him picking up third base eligibility on platforms where he doesn't already have it.
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Christian Walker 1B | HOU
Astros' Christian Walker: Scratched with sore oblique
Walker was scratched from Wednesday's lineup versus the Cardinals due to left oblique soreness, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
The severity is not yet known, but any injury to the oblique is cause for concern. More information on Walker's condition should be available later Wednesday. Jon Singleton will replace Walker in Wednesday's lineup and would also likely take his spot at first base should Walker need time on the injured list at the start of the season.
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Triston Casas 1B | BOS
Red Sox's Triston Casas: Scratched from lineup
Casas has been scratched from the lineup for Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates due to an illness, Alex Speier of the Boston Globe reports.
Casas is the latest victim of a bug that's been making its way through the Red Sox clubhouse. He should be ready to play in a day or two. Nathan Hickey will sub in at first base and bat cleanup Tuesday.
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Ryan Mountcastle 1B | BAL
Orioles' Ryan Mountcastle: Encouraging start to spring
Mountcastle went 1-for-2 with a run scored and an RBI in Monday's Grapefruit League game against Boston.
Mountcastle is off to an encouraging start this spring, having gone 4-for-11 with three runs scored and the aforementioned RBI. The offseason departure of Anthony Santander has created an opening in the top half of Baltimore's lineup for other members of the club to fill, with Mountcastle being one of the candidates to do so in 2025. While it's unknown where Mountcastle will slot in most days, the 28-year-old slugger is slated to serve as the Orioles' primary first baseman and is making an early case to hit in the heart of the order more often than not.
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Ryan O'Hearn 1B | PIT
Orioles' Ryan O'Hearn: First hit of spring Monday
O'Hearn went 1-for-3 with one strikeout in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox.
O'Hearn was able to get his first hit of the spring out of the cleanup spot in Baltimore's lineup, as he's now gone 1-for-12 during spring training. The 31-year-old veteran slugger is set to function as the Orioles' primary designated hitter versus right-handed pitching in 2025, but he does have 2020 first-rounder Heston Kjerstad fighting for at-bats as well. O'Hearn is likely to be on the strong side of a platoon, so he is best deployed in daily leagues or deeper formats.