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  • Alex Kirilloff LF | MIN

    Twins' Alex Kirilloff: Taking live batting practice

    Kirilloff (shoulder) is scheduled to take live batting practice Monday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

    Kirilloff had surgery in October to repair the labrum in his right shoulder but appears to be all systems go at the start of spring training. The 26-year-old tentatively projects to see most of his starts in the designated hitter spot this season, although some action at first base and the outfield is also likely, assuming his health holds up.

  • Ronald Guzman 1B | BAL

    Orioles' Ronald Guzman: Waiting on visa

    Guzman has yet to report to Orioles camp due to visa issues, Danielle Allentuck of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

    The first baseman-turned-pitcher joined Baltimore on a minor-league deal in January and is attending big-league camp as a non-roster invitee. Guzman, who missed most of the 2023 season while recovering from a forearm strain, appears to be fully healthy after he made two relief appearances in the Dominican Winter League.

  • Yandy Diaz 1B | TB

    Rays' Yandy Diaz: Healthy to start spring training

    Diaz is fully healthy entering spring training after battling a groin injury for most of the 2023 season, Kristie Ackert of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

    Diaz suffered the initial injury in mid-May and went on to miss small chunks of time for the rest of the season with an assortment of lower-body injuries. He focused on agility work this offseason to avoid similar issues in 2024 while increasing his first-step quickness. It's also worth noting that Diaz played through the pain effectively, as he posted an excellent .406 wOBA with a .193 ISO across 259 plate appearances in the second half.

  • Blue Jays' Spencer Horwitz: Facing competition in camp

    Horwitz could be battling the recently signed Daniel Vogelbach for a spot on the Blue Jays' bench.

    The 26-year-old Horwitz was expected to be the main backup at first base and DH, offering a left-handed option behind Vladimir Guerrero and Justin Turner, but that's exactly the role Vogelbach has filled during his career. Horwitz offers more contact that the veteran and slashed .337/.450/.495 for Triple-A Buffalo last season with 10 homers in 107 games, but Vogelbach's career .814 OPS against right-handed pitching and power upside would give the Jays' bench an element it currently lacks. Given the duo's limited defensive flexibility, it seems highly unlikely both would make the 26-man roster.

  • Keston Hiura 2B | LAD

    Tigers' Keston Hiura: Receives chance with Detroit

    Hiura signed a contract with the Tigers on Friday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

    The 27-year-old will be in camp as a non-roster invitee and earn $2 million if he makes the MLB roster, per Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. Hiura last played in the majors in 2022 and hit 14 homers in 80 games with Milwaukee, but he also had a 41.7 percent strikeout rate and has struggled to make consistent contact in the majors.

  • Bobby Dalbec 1B | CHW

    Red Sox's Bobby Dalbec: Receiving outfield reps

    Dalbec is taking reps in the outfield Friday, Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe reports.

    Defense has never been a strength for Dalbec, but becoming a viable option in the corner outfield would increase his value as a utility player. The 28-year-old tallied just 53 plate appearances with the Red Sox last season, seeing most of his action at first base, but he was a force offensively at Triple-A Worcester with 33 home runs, 17 steals and a .938 OPS.

  • Ryan O'Hearn 1B | PIT

    Orioles' Ryan O'Hearn: Avoids arbitration

    O'Hearn signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Orioles on Wednesday, avoiding arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports. The deal includes a $7.5 million club option for 2025.

    O'Hearn had been in his final year of arbitration eligibility, but the Orioles will now have the option to keep him around for what would have been his first year of free agency, as well. The 30-year-old had a surprise re-emergence with Baltimore in 2023, posting an .801 OPS with 14 homers in 112 games. He will see regular action against right-handers between first base and designated hitter.

  • Jose Abreu 1B | HOU

    Astros' Jose Abreu: Workload could be managed

    Abreu could receive more days off or see more time at DH during the 2024 season, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

    Abreu had a disappointing 2023 campaign-- his first in Houston -- as he posted a career-worst 86 wRC+ and .295 wOBA. At least a portion of his struggles have been apportioned to a back injury that he dealt with for much of the season and played through until a stint on the injured list in mid-August. The Astros appear to be taking a proactive approach to managing Abreu's workload in 2024, though it's currently unclear if that means he will lose at-bats or just means that he will shift to DH. In either scenario, Jon Singleton or Trey Cabbage could pick up some extra plate appearances.

  • Astros' Jon Singleton: Could land on Opening Day roster

    Singleton is out of minor-league options and could have the first chance on the big-league roster as a result, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

    Singleton had a standout game in which he hit two home runs and drove in five on Aug. 11, but his 105-plate appearance sample in the majors last year was otherwise unproductive. He maintained just a .165/.267/.264 line, though his 0.57 BB/K and .194 BABIP suggest he may have deserved better results. Singleton's most direct competition for a spot on the roster is likely to be the recently acquired Trey Cabbage.

  • Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero: Sets arbitration record

    Guerrero will make $19.9 million in 2024 after winning his arbitration case against the Blue Jays on Wednesday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

    It's the largest salary ever awarded by an arbitration panel, although the amount falls well short of the $31 million deal Juan Soto reached with the Yankees in January to avoid arbitration. Guerrero's numbers dropped in nearly every statistical category last season compared to the marks he set in 2022, but the slugging first baseman will receive a $5.4 million raise nonetheless. Guerrero remains a high-value fantasy asset, but his stellar 2021 campaign is beginning to look more like an anomaly than a season off which we should base expectations.

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