MLB Player News

Mountcastle (neck) won't be in the lineup for either of Sunday's split-squad games but could return to game action as early as Tuesday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

The 26-year-old was scratched from Saturday's starting nine after his backed locked up on him while taking some swings, but he's apparently feeling much better a day later. The Orioles are likely to remain cautious so close to the start of the season, but at this point Mountcastle's availability for Opening Day doesn't appear to be in jeopardy.

Guerrero went 2-for-3 with a home run and four RBI in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers.

He launched a Mason Englert offering completely out of the stadium to left-center field for a two-run shot in the fifth inning. Guerrero sat out a few days with a knee bruise he picked up making a sliding catch in foul territory last weekend, but it looks like he's fully healthy again. Through nine Grapefruit League games, the 25-year-old slugger is batting .417 (10-for-24) with a double and two homers.

Hiura went 2-for-4 with a grand slam in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays and is now batting .304 this spring with a 1.042 OPS.

Hiura has two home runs and nine RBI across 15 spring contests to go along with the strong batting average and OPS, making him a pleasant offensive surprise to this point. The veteran is pushing for an Opening Day utility role, and with his impressive play so far in camp, he's making a compelling case. However, Hiura's fantasy value is limited if he's mostly a bench player this season.

Mountcastle reported neck stiffness Saturday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Mountcastle's neck reportedly began bothering him when he woke up, and it will keep him out of the lineup for at least Saturday's contest. He's considered day-to-day.

Santana is likely to bat leadoff against left-handed pitchers, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports. "I think he will hit leadoff. I don't know if it's going to be the whole year," manager Rocco Baldelli said this week.

Santana looks set to be an everyday player at first base and will likely hit sixth or lower in the order against righties. Alex Kirilloff will also get time at first base, but will mostly be used at DH and will sit most days against left-handed pitchers. Santana has a career .819 OPS vs. lefties, including an .807 OPS last season. His ability to draw walks and takes pitches is viewed as a plus at the top of the lineup, but the Twins frequently change their batting orders under Baldelli, especially against lefties.

Abreu (knee) will go through full workouts Friday and Saturday with the goal of starting at designated hitter in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies, Brian McTaggart of MLB.comreports.

The 37-year-old has been battling knee soreness over the past week, but a return to spring games this weekend would give him plenty of time to ramp up before Opening Day. Abreu could see more days off and more starts as the designated hitter this season after he posted a .679 OPS during his first campaign with Houston in 2023.

Votto will make his Grapefruit League debut for the Blue Jays on Sunday versus the Phillies, Jayson Stark of The Athletic reports.

Votto has seen some action in minor-league games since signing a non-roster invitee deal with the Jays a week ago, but this will be his first official spring training contest. The plan is for the 40-year-old to begin the season back in the minors in order to get in some reps, but if he looks good he could become an option for the major-league roster sooner rather than later.

Guerrero (knee) is starting at first base and batting third in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers.

The 24-year-old returned to the lineup as the designated hitter Wednesday after sitting out a couple games with a bruised left knee, and he's back playing defense a couple days later. There never seemed to be significant concern over the injury, and there shouldn't be any worries regarding Guerrero's availability for Opening Day.

Aranda has maintained a 1.124 OPS across 29 plate appearances in the Grapefruit League.

Aranda entered spring as a strong candidate to earn a large-side platoon role at DH. He's done everything in his power to lock up those plate appearances, as he's struck out just 6.9 percent of the time while clubbing five extra-base hits. While it's not yet clear if Aranda will be a regular part of the Rays' lineup, he appears to be a safe bet to crack the Opening Day roster.

Cron started at designated hitter and went 1-for-2 with a walk in Thursday's spring game against the Phillies.

Cron made his second start since signing a minor-league deal with the Red Sox and reiterated to Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe that he's beyond the back injury that limited him during 2023. He and Bobby Dalbec are competing as the right-handed complement to Triston Casas at first base. Recently, manager Alex Cora talked about Dalbec getting outfield starts, which potentially signals both players making the roster. Dalbec could become the righty-hitting depth option in the outfield to replace the injured Rob Refsnyder (toe).