MLB Player News

Dalbec went 2-for-2 with a double, a two-run home run and a second run scored in Saturday's spring game against Atlanta.

Dalbec's had explosive springs that were followed by disappointing results in the regular season, but he talked to Ian Browne of MLB.com about new swing mechanics implemented over the winter. "I spent this offseason just getting that pole-to-pole juice back without having to try too hard," he said. "My swing has way less effort and is way more fluid. That was a big thing I was focusing on." Both of Dalbec's extra-base hits went to right field. He doesn't have a starting job, but a consistently hitting Dalbec could jump ahead of Justin Turner as a the right-handed complement to Triston Casas at first base.

Kirilloff (wrist) is one of many players Twins manager Rocco Baldelli plans to use at first base this season, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

"We don't have a first baseman," Baldelli said. "We have several guys that are going to play first base. We don't need one guy that's going to play first base." Kirilloff was expected to see the lion's share of starts at the position as long as he's healthy though, and the 25-year-old is optimistic about his recovery from right wrist surgery last August. However, Donovan Solano, Nick Gordon, Jose Miranda and Joey Gallo could also see playing time there. The Twins are also expected to have a turnstile in the designated hitter spot, with all of the aforementioned players and others in the mix, and that approach could impact the playing-time picture at first base.

Calhoun signed a minor-league contract Thursday with the Mariners, Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports 710 AM reports.

Calhoun is already at camp in Arizona and will try to win a spot on the Mariners' Opening Day roster. But the 35-year-old faces an uphill battle in that regard after slashing just .196/.257/.330 over 424 plate appearances with the Rangers in 2022. Texas declined a $5.5 million club option on him back in November.

Kirilloff (wrist) said Thursday he has yet to be cleared for live batting practice but has been swinging in the batting cage and hitting off pitching machines without issue, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Kirilloff had a second surgery on his right wrist last August to shorten the ulnar bone and clean up scar tissue but said he's "really optimistic" about how the wrist feels. It's not clear when he'll be cleared for Grapefruit League action, but Kirilloff is tracking toward being ready for Opening Day. He's expected to serve as Minnesota's regular first baseman.

Solano agreed to a one-year deal on Tuesday with Minnesota, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Solano spent the 2022 campaign with the Reds after spending the three previous seasons with the Giants, and the 35-year-old slashed .284/.339/.385 with four homers and 24 RBI over 304 plate appearances. The right-handed-hitting infielder has shown the ability to hit for average with a .301 clip over the last four seasons, but he's homered just 18 times over 316 games in that timeframe while stealing just two bases. Solano should be a utility option for the Twins that sees time all over the infield, particularly against left-handed pitching, but he profiles as a one-category player for the 2023 season.

Diaz is expected to play a lot of first base this season, Rays manager Kevin Cash told Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network on Monday.

Diaz has plenty of experience at the position, although he played a lot more third base (102 games) than first base (17 games) last season. With Ji-Man Choi no longer in the picture, Diaz is now projected to play first base more. While Isaac Paredes figures to have first dibs at third base, he'll face competition from Jonathan Aranda.

Rizzo said Monday that the back stiffness that hampered him throughout last season is no longer bothering him, though he added that he expects to have to manage it during the coming campaign, Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reports.

Rizzo's back issues caused him to miss time in each of the final three months of the regular season last year, though that didn't keep the Yankees from re-signing him to a two-year, $34 million contract in November. The veteran first baseman acknowledged Monday the likelihood of the issue rearing its head again, saying, "I think I'd be crazy to sit here and say I won't have any back issues here." Rizzo added that he used the offseason to focus on helping his back recover and that he's confident that the area can be managed with daily preparation. Yankees manager Aaron Boone voiced the same opinion, stating, "[I]t's really important that he stays on top of his daily routine -- his tedious exercise routine, tedious exercises from a core standpoint that put him in the best position to navigate [the back issue]."

Arias will get some playing time in the outfield during spring training, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Arias is a natural shortstop, but Amed Rosario is likely to start there barring injury or an extended slump. Arias saw some time around the infield last season, and adding at least one corner outfield position could give him another path to playing time if the Guardians run into injury trouble. He hit just .191 and struck out 28.1 percent of the time over 57 plate appearances in the majors last season, so it's still possible he begins the year with Triple-A Columbus.

Dalbec will get starts at third base and shortstop during spring training, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Dalbec is a forgotten man on the roster. He opened the last two seasons as Boston's primary first baseman, but that job now belongs to Triston Casas while Justin Turner becomes the right-handed complement against tough lefties. With Boston losing third baseman Rafael Devers and shortstop Enrique Hernandez to the World Baseball Classic, Dalbec will get the bulk of reps at either of those spots. The decision is seen as a potential trade showcase for Dalbec, although his value has never been lower. The Red Sox still believe in him and maintained the 27-year-old on the 40-man roster during an active offseason when many players were jettisoned. That Dalbec's under control through 2026 and can be carried at Triple-A Worcester means the team is not in a hurry to trade him.

Casas will share first base with the right-handed hitting Justin Turner, but it will not be a strict platoon, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports. "We'll protect Triston from certain lefties. We'll protect him from the workload," Cora said when asked about the job share.

Cora also noted last season's ankle injury that forced Casas to miss more than two months of development time as a factor in giving the prospect some days off. Casas would have struggle to mightily -- like Bobby Dalbec did in 2022 -- to be dislodged from the position. Turner hasn't played first base since 2015 and has just 25 starts (14 complete games) worth of experience at the position. Turner's primary role will be the designated hitter.