MLB Player News

The Rockies reassigned Hiura to minor-league camp Wednesday.

Though he's just 28 years old and has three double-digit home-run seasons on his resume at the MLB level, Hiura's high strikeout rates and lack of defensive flexibility have made it difficult for him to stick in the big leagues over the past two seasons. He spent the majority of the 2024 campaign at the Triple-A level and settled for a minor-league deal with the Rockies this winter upon reaching free agency. Hiura hit just .167 and struck out in nine of his 18 at-bats in Cactus League play, so his dismissal from big-league camp comes as little surprise. He's expected to open the season at Triple-A Albuquerque.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday that he expects Freeman (rib) to play in the upcoming Freeway Series against the Angels, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Freeman lobbied to play in the second game of the Tokyo Series, but the team decided it was best to take the cautious route, per David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports. Freeman was said to be feeling "much better than [Tuesday]," when he had to be scratched from the lineup for the season opener. Roberts wouldn't commit to Freeman playing in the exhibition series against the Angels, but it sounds like the team is cautiously optimistic the first baseman will be able to return to action and log at least a few reps ahead of the March 27 domestic opener against the Tigers.

Freeman (rib) is not in the lineup for the second game of the Tokyo Series against the Cubs on Wednesday.

A late scratch from the starting nine for the season opener, Freeman estimated his chances of playing in the series finale at 75 percent when speaking to the media after Tuesday's game. However, he will be held out of the lineup yet again. Freeman said the discomfort is in the same spot where he tore rib cartilage during the postseason last fall, and while he said the soreness is less severe this time, it's possible he will require addition testing once the Dodgers return home to Los Angeles.

The Pirates reassigned Hall to minor-league camp Tuesday.

The 29-year-old joined Pittsburgh as a non-roster invitee in December and clubbed three homers during spring training, though he also batted just .190. Hall spent last season at the Triple-A level with the Phillies and had an underwhelming .238/.321/.390 slash line with 16 home runs in 114 games.

Gurriel went 2-for-3 with a home run, a double and four total RBI in Monday's Cactus League win against the Brewers.

Gurriel smashed a two-run homer to left-center field in the second inning and added a two-run double in the fifth. The big performance brought the 40-year-old's spring slash line to .286/.310/.500 as he looks to earn a spot on the Padres' Opening Day roster. Gurriel is in camp as a non-roster invitee after signing a minor-league contract in mid-February. He's not a lock to break camp with San Diego, but he could make the team as a backup first baseman and right-handed DH option.

Freeman (rib) estimated after Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Cubs that he has a "75 percent chance" of being ready to play in Wednesday's series finale in Tokyo, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Freeman was a late scratch from Tuesday's lineup after feeling discomfort in his left ribcage during batting practice. The first baseman noted that the soreness is in the same spot where he tore rib cartilage during the postseason last fall, although he added that the current issue is less severe. While Freeman seems fairly optimistic about his chances of playing Wednesday, it would not be a surprise if the Dodgers exercised caution and elected to hold him out until next week's domestic opener.

Freeman was scratched from the lineup for Tuesday's season opener against the Cubs in Tokyo due to left rib discomfort, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Vassegh notes that Freeman was on the field for batting practice prior to the game and suggests the first baseman might have felt discomfort during batting practice. The timing is brutal, but if there is a silver lining, it's that Freeman's removal from the lineup is not related to the ankle that required surgery in the offseason.

Freeman has been scratched from the lineup for Tuesday's season opener against the Cubs in Tokyo, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

The reason for Freeman's removal was not immediately available. He was brought along slowly in camp after undergoing right ankle surgery in December. Enrique Hernandez will move in to first base, opening up left field for Michael Conforto against left-hander Shota Imanaga.

Steer (shoulder) will begin a throwing program Tuesday, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Steer played through a right shoulder strain late last season and the injury has lingered this spring, limiting him to only seven plate appearances at designated hitter. While his readiness for Opening Day seems unlikely, the Reds are not ready to rule him out yet. Wittenmyer notes that a cortisone injection has knocked out the inflammation in Steer's shoulder and the focus lately has been correcting bad habits created by compensating for the injury. The Reds likely would want Steer available to play the field in order to avoid the IL, and it's uncertain when he might be cleared for that.

Lowe went 1-for-3 with a strikeout in Sunday's spring game against the Rays and is hitting .200 through 13 Grapefruit League contests.

The first baseman hasn't been a strong spring performer throughout his career with a .227 average, so the poor numbers don't necessarily mean much. After being acquired from the Rangers in December, Lowe will bring some stability to first base in Washington after posting a .265/.361/.401 slash line with 16 homers and 69 RBI last year.