MLB Player News

White Sox manager Pedro Grifol told reporters Saturday that Vaughn is going to be out a few more days with lower back soreness, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Vaughn has been out of the lineup with what has been described as "general soreness," but Grifol offered more specifics Saturday. It sounds like the White Sox are taking precautions with the right-handed hitter, but it's obviously a situation to monitor for managers who have rostered or are considering a draft pick on the 24-year-old.

Dalbec will make his fourth consecutive start at shortstop Saturday, Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe reports.

Dalbec is producing this spring but doesn't have an everyday home on the diamond. When a player goes 11-for-34 (.324) with three doubles, two triples and a home run, a manager will try to find spots. Dalbec has experience at first and third base and played some shortstop before. "Bobby's a great athlete," manager Alex Cora told Abraham. "He understands what he can do with his body and his internal clock is great. Off-balance throws, double plays... he understands the game and he's a good defender." The biggest question about Dalbec is if he can hit enough to maintain a steady role in the regular season. Over the last two seasons, Dalbec hit a combined .229 over 250 games.

O'Hearn (knee) is starting at first base and batting sixth Saturday against the Red Sox.

He missed a week with knee soreness but an MRI came back clean and this won't impact O'Hearn's ability to get a fair look at a roster spot as a non-roster invitee. O'Hearn is hitting .474 with one home run, three strikeouts and three walks in 19 at-bats this spring.

Abreu has gone 8-for-31 (.258) with two home runs and three doubles during Cactus League action.

Per Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle, Abreu asked managed Dusty Baker to give him plenty of playing time this spring, and the skipper has obliged. As a result, the veteran first baseman looks just about ready for Opening Day. Abreu posted a .304/.378/.446 line across 679 plate appearances in 2022 and will be entering his first campaign not in a White Sox uniform.

Aranda has three extra-base hits and three walks across 17 plate appearances in Grapefruit League action.

Aranda is in competition for a bench spot on the Rays' Opening Day roster, and he's made a solid case with his performance this spring. In addition to a .924 OPS, he's struck out only four times. Aranda struggled in limited playing time during his MLB debut in 2022, posting a .192/.276/.321 line across 87 plate appearances.

Noda is hitting .161 (5-for-31) with three doubles, one home run, four RBI, eight walks, a stolen base and five runs over 15 Cactus League games.

The Rule 5 pickup is being given a long look by the Athletics in spring training, and the results have been somewhat mixed. While the .161 batting average leaves plenty to be desired, four of Noda's five hits have gone for extra bases, and his eight walks are a positive. However, the 26-year-old has also struck out 17 times in his 39 plate appearances, an extension of the sub-par contact rates he's generated through the majority of a minor-league career that dates back to 2017. Noda does offer some welcome defensive versatility in addition to his power -- he has experience at first base and all three outfield spots -- so a rebuilding squad such as Oakland could potentially see value in keeping him on the Opening Day roster.

Vaughn is not in the lineup Friday versus the Cubs as he deals with general soreness, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Vaughn is considered day-to-day and said that he would have played in Friday's game if the contest counted. There appears to be little concern for his Opening Day status.

O'Hearn (knee) went through full baseball activities Friday and could be back in the Orioles' Grapefruit League lineup Saturday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

If he returns Saturday, he will have missed about a week of action with right knee soreness. O'Hearn has made a positive impression this spring when healthy and is still in the running for a roster spot.

O'Hearn's right knee MRI has come back negative, Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner reports.

The swelling and fluid in O'Hearn's knee has subsided and he was able to run on a treadmill Thursday. He considers himself ready to return to game action but will leave that decision up to the Orioles.

Naylor has gone 6-for-26 (.231) through 10 Cactus League games.

Naylor opted out of representing Canada at the World Baseball Classic to avoid aggravating his ankle, but he's seen plenty of playing time in spring training. The 25-year-old established himself with a .256/.319/.452 slash line, 20 home runs, 79 RBI, 47 runs scored and six stolen bases over 122 games last season. He's the Guardians' top first baseman this season, though Naylor and Josh Bell will likely share the duties at first base and designated hitter for much of the campaign.