MLB Player News

Calhoun (knee) took live at-bats in a simulated environment Thursday, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

This was the first time Calhoun has executed this activity since undergoing knee surgery earlier in March. The next and final test for the knee will be running, according to manager Torey Lovullo, who added that the outfielder is not yet at that point. Calhoun is expected to start the season on the injured list.

Cron went 3-for-3 with a home run, a double and two runs in Thursday's spring win over the Angels.

Cron smacked a double in the fourth inning and was brought in to score later in the inning, and he tied the game with a solo home run in the sixth. The 31-year-old has had a strong spring performance and has posted a 1.180 OPS with four home runs, 10 runs and seven RBI across 16 Cactus League games. Cron's contract was selected by the Rockies on Saturday, and he'll serve as the team's primary first baseman this year while playing his home games at hitter-friendly Coors Field.

Votto (COVID-19) will bat third and play first base Friday against Arizona, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Votto tested positive for COVID-19 in mid-March but has been back with the team for workouts for the past several days. He'd only gotten into four spring games prior to coming down with the illness, so it remains to be seen whether or not he can get up to full speed by Opening Day.

Cooper got the start in right field and hit cleanup in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals, going 1-for-3 with a home run.

With Corey Dickerson (shoulder) held out for one more game, Cooper got some work in the outfield and took Nats closer Brad Hand deep in the third inning for his second homer of the spring. Cooper is expected to begin the season on the bench but spot in at first base and in the outfield corners on a semi-regular basis, and his .382/.417/.647 slash line through 36 Grapefruit League plate appearances suggests he could be hard to get out of the lineup if he stays hot straight through Opening Day.

Bohm left Thursday's game with tightness in his left leg, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Bohm's exit was deemed precautionary, according to manager Joe Girardi. Bohm is considered day-to-day, though he won't return until at least Saturday's game, as he already had a scheduled day off for Friday's exhibition.

Votto (COVID-19) hasn't yet played in a spring training game since rejoining the team on Sunday. His status for Opening Day remains up in the air, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

The Reds haven't yet said when Votto will return to game action. "Let's get his legs underneath him and go from there," general manager Nick Krall said. "I can't give you a timetable. It affects different people in different ways."

Bell went 1-for-3 with a home run and a strikeout in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.

The switch hitting slugger took Jake Odorizzi deep as part of a five-run first inning for the Nats. Bell has been locked in at the plate and is now hitting .385 (15-for-39) with five doubles and a team-leading five homers this spring. If he can carry that momentum forward into the regular season, a repeat of his massive 2019 first half could be in the cards.

Hiura went 2-for-3 with two home runs and three RBI in Tuesday's exhibition game.

Hiura went three weeks without a homer after going yard in the Brewers' spring opener, but he left the park twice Tuesday, and both times to the opposite field. Contact was a major issue for Hiura last year, and that has remained the case this spring, as he has hit just .235 and has struck out 13 times in 34 at-bats. Hiura is set to play first base this season, but in leagues where he remains 2B-eligible, he does offer some of the most upside in the counting-stat categories among players you can slot in at that position.

Walker went 2-for-3 with a double in Tuesday's spring game against the Mariners.

Walker squared up a couple of balls, ripping a double that nearly was a home run and a single that left the bat at 108 MPH. He's been raking the last week of the Cactus League, going 7-for-13 with three doubles, one home run and eight RBI over four games. After experiencing a power drop in the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign, Walker is looking to return to his 2019 levels.

Calhoun (knee) has taken multiple batting practice sessions and is close to facing live pitching in a simulated game, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Manager Torey Lovullo said Calhoun could stand in the batter's box, take a normal at-bat, and strike the baseball but not run. The veteran outfielder is expected to open the season on the injured list. In the meantime, the Diamondbacks are auditioning several players to replace Calhoun in right field, including Tim Locastro, Pavin Smith, Trayce Thompson and Daulton Varsho.