MLB Player News

With all the mid-to-late-round talent/sleepers at first base, I've been letting other Fantasy owners clamor over Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo. I have no doubt Rizzo's left-handed bat will play big at Wrigley Field one day. I just don't feel he's going to provide Fantasy owners with the rewards they seek in 2013. I've been more than happy to pass on Rizzo and later target players like Ryan Howard, Justin Morneau, Ike Davis, Eric Hosmer, Yonder Alonso, Brandon Belt and my new favorite sleeper -- Kendrys Morales.

Joey Terdoslavich has been assigned to the Braves’ minor-league camp. He will likely begin the season at Triple-A.

Terdoslavich made a push to make the opening day roster, hitting .395. Terdoslavich made the transition to corner outfield this spring, after he struggled defensively at third last season. 

Marlins second baseman Donovan Solano was able to take batting practice Monday.

Solano has been sidelined with a sore back, which has caused him to miss about a week of action. If healthy, Solano is expected to open the season as the team’s starter at second.

Reds first baseman Joey Votto has had a productive spring so far as he is hitting .359 with three homers and 10 RBI in 39 at-bats. He also is slugging .641 with a solid 1.109 OPS.

Despite his stellar numbers, Votto told the Cincinnati Enquirer that he does not concentrate on Cactus League stats much.

"I’ve hit some balls hard in parts of the park where I’ve had some good results," Votto said Sunday. "Unless I can continue to move toward the type of hitter I prefer to be, I’m not going to have the same results as last year or previous years, and I am moving toward that, which is a good thing. As far as my numbers, I put nothing into it. Frankly, they’re very deceiving."

Marlins second baseman Donovan Solano is targeting a return to the lineup later this week after an MRI on his sore back revealed only muscle tightness, the Palm Beach Post reports. Solano, projected as the team's starting second baseman, is hitting .409 with a .426 on-base percentage this spring.

"Trainers say he's doing much better," manager Mike Redmond said. "We’re hoping Wednesday, Thursday maybe to get him back in a game. ... We’re hopeful he’s on board for the start of the season. That’s the guy we need in the lineup and kind of helps make that whole lineup come together."

I'm loving the fact Fantasy owners are buying into Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. The 25-year-old slugger is the 10th-highest drafted first baseman in Rotisserie formats and 12th-highest in Head-to-Head leagues.

First base is obviously a deep Fantasy position and there's great value to be had late in drafts at the position. But Goldschmidt is on the verge of a breakout season and apparently I'm not the only one sensing it. 

Goldschmidt got off to a slow start last season, but he hit .303 with a .379 on-base percentage, .528 slugging percentage and .907 OPS in his last 113 games. Those definitely are numbers we want to see from a first baseman, but here's one stat where Goldschmidt brings added value -- stolen bases. He had 18 last season and has two through 23 spring games. It's not a reason for Goldschmidt to rank up with the elite Fantasy first baseman, but it's definitely a nice bonus.

Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt had a solid performance in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Royals. He went 3 for 3 with two doubles and a sacrifice fly as he drove in four runs in a 11-10 loss. Goldschmidt is hitting .412 with a home run and 10 RBI in 51 at-bats this spring.

"He's a professional," Willie Bloomquist said. "He works hard and does what he's supposed to do. Good things happen to those sort of players. He's pretty even keel whether he's hitting .150 or .450, you would never know it. He just goes about his business the right way every day."

Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman homered twice during an 18-9 rout of the Pirates on Wednesday. Freeman hit a two-run homer off Kyle McPherson in the second inning and followed with a two-run homer off Vin Mazzaro in the fifth inning.

Freeman finished the game 4 for 4 with one double, three runs and four RBI. Freeman is batting .373 (22 for 59) with one triple, one double, seven homers and 15 RBI in 20 spring games.

“Maybe the most naturally talented hitter we have in the lineup," manager Fredi Gonzalez told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

MLB.com reports Marlins second baseman Donovan Solano was unavailable Wednesday because of a tight back. The team is treating him as day to day.

Solano is batting .409 (18 for 44) with two doubles, seven runs and seven RBI in 15 spring games. He's expected to be the team's opening day second baseman, as CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reported Wednesday.

CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reports the Marlins' opening day roster is beginning to take shape. Heyman said the defensive alignment will be Rob Brantly at catcher, Casey Kotchman at first base, Donovan Solano at second base, Adeiny Hechavarria at shortstop, Placido Polanco at third base, Juan Pierre in left field, Justin Ruggiano in center field and Giancarlo Stanton in right field.

The rotation isn't settled yet, but Ricky Nolasco, Henderson Alvarez and Nate Eovaldi have secured spots. The final two spots remain up for grabs.