MLB Player News

Guerrero went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

The 23-year-old slugger pulverized an Aaron Nola offering to left-center field in the first inning. Guerrero tied for the major-league lead in homers last season with 48 and finished tied for sixth with 111 RBI to go along with his stellar .311/.401/.601 slash line, and he appears on track to be ready to keep raking Opening Day in the heart of Toronto's potent lineup.

Pratto went 2-for-2 with a two-run home run in Friday's 5-5 tie against the Rangers.

Pratto is one of the Royals' top prospects, and he's off to a good start in spring training. The first baseman slashed .259/.367/.634 with 21 home runs, 55 RBI, 54 runs scored and five stolen bases in 63 games after a midseason promotion to Triple-A Omaha last year. Much of the focus in Kansas City is on top overall prospect Bobby Witt, but Pratto's call to the big leagues could also come in 2022. He's got great power, but he also struck out at a 28.5 percent clip last year at the Triple-A level.

Torkelson went 1-for-2 with a double and a run scored in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

Torkelson started at first base, which is where he's worked extensively so far in camp. The 22-year-old top prospect has a very real chance to make the Tigers' Opening Day roster. If that happens, Torkelson will likely be the primary first baseman, with Miguel Cabrera serving as the DH and Jonathan Schoop handling the keystone.

Clemens went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

The 25-year-old doesn't have the buzz of Spencer Torkelson or Riley Greene, but after spending most of 2021 with Triple-A Toledo, Clemens could push his way toward the majors this year after being added to the 40-man roster in November. He only batted .247 with the Mud Hens last season, though he did blast 18 home runs in 97 games.

Dalbec went 1-for-2 with a three-run home run in Friday's spring contest against the Rays.

That's two homers in two games for Dalbec, who served as the first baseman after being the designated hitter Thursday. Thus far in four spring at-bats, he's left the yard twice and struck out twice. The Red Sox added Travis Shaw on a minor-league deal Friday, giving the team some insurance against the hitting woes Dalbec experienced in 2021. While he looks comfortable at the plate to begin the spring, he also mashed last spring training then went on to hit .240 with a 34.4 percent strikeout rate during the regular season.

Raley was acquired by the Rays from the Dodgers on Friday in exchange for minor-league pitcher Tanner Dodson, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Raley made his big-league debut for the Dodgers last season and had a .538 OPS in 72 plate appearances, and he'll now joined the Rays after being traded for third time in his career. He'll compete for a depth role in the outfield behind Tampa Bay's established group of Randy Arozarena, Kevin Kiermaier, Manuel Margot and Austin Meadows, with top prospect Josh Lowe also waiting in the wings.

Dalbec hit a two-run home run in his first at-bat of spring training Thursday. He went 1-for-2, striking out in another plate appearance, with while batting second in the lineup.

Dalbec and Jarren Duran were the most noticeable 40-man roster names in the Grapefruit League opener, which featured many minor-leaguers and non-roster invitees. Dalbec served as the designated hitter Thursday and seeks to lock down first base full time following a mostly down season with a few good moments in 2021. He made note of the work he put in this winter when talking with Ian Browne of MLB.com following the game. "I'm more happy with how my timing was today than the result, because I worked on that all offseason, on my timing and vision," Dalbec said. "It's nice to see it come to fruition, first at-bat." The MLB sophomore will be looking over his shoulder at prospect Triston Casas, who is expected to arrive in Boston at some point this season. As a result Dalbec will see some action at third base and in the outfield during spring training. Third base was his spot coming up through the minors, but Rafael Devers is locked in at the position, while designated hitter isn't an option if J.D. Martinez is healthy. Long-term, Casas and Dalbec can get ample at-bats, as Martinez is in the final year of a contract, meaning either player could be the primary DH beginning 2023.

Dalbec will get work in the outfield as well as second base in addition to both infield corners this spring, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Dalbec should open the year as the Red Sox's primary first baseman, but highly-touted prospect Triston Casas is set to challenge him for the position at some point this season, as he's already reached Triple-A for a brief nine-game stint at the end of last year. With J.D. Martinez blocking off the designated hitter spot, Dalbec may need to show some versatility to remain in the lineup if he can't hold off Casas. Spending some time in the outfield corners would be a fairly standard move, but a move to second base would be much more unusual.

Rizzo agreed to a contract with the Yankees on Tuesday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

It's a two-year deal worth $32 million that includes an opt out after the first year, per Rogers, as Rizzo will return to the Yankees after being acquired from the Cubs ahead of the 2021 trade deadline. New York was also in the mix to sign Freddie Freeman but will instead bring back a familiar face. Rizzo hit .248/.344/.440 with 22 home runs and 61 RBI in 141 total games last year, and he'll be back with the Yankees for at least one full season.

White (hip) has been operating at full strength since reporting to optional workouts ahead of spring training on Friday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

White saw his 2021 season cut short after only 30 games, logging his last action of the campaign on May 13. The 25-year-old eventually underwent hip surgery in July, which did give him a head start on his recovery. White was taking part in baseball activities by early November, so the news that he's apparently headed for a restriction-free camp isn't necessarily surprising.