MLB Player News

Smith (wrist) won't play until Sunday at the earliest, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

Smith was scratched from the lineup Wednesday due to a sore right wrist, and he's apparently set to miss at least three more days. However, there haven't been indications that the issue will cost him any time at the start of the regular season.

Calhoun (knee) participated in baseball activities on a back field at training camp, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

This was Calhoun's first time on the field since he underwent right knee surgery March 3. The activity amounted to playing catch and taking swings in a batting cage. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Calhoun will not be ready for Opening Day and no timetable has been set for the outfielder's return. That opens an opportunity for several players to man right field early in the season. Daulton Varsho started in right field Wednesday, and non-roster invitee Trayce Thompson has made multiple starts there since Calhoun's surgery.

Rizzo, who slotted in as the No. 3 hitter for Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Padres, could hit there regularly this season, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Willson Contreras batted second Wednesday and might do the same during the regular season, and manager David Ross has hinted that he will bat Rizzo third and Kris Bryant fourth. The Cubs have a strong lineup on paper, though a lot of their big names struggled in 2020. If they get back on track, Rizzo should be able to post strong numbers from the premium lineup spot.

Smith was scratched from Wednesday's spring lineup against the Marlins due to right wrist soreness, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Smith has apparently been dealing with a sore wrist throughout spring training, and the team opted to give him a day off Wednesday as a precautionary measure. Manager Luis Rojas didn't sound too concerned about the issue and said that Smith did some defensive work prior to Wednesday's game. Barring any setbacks, Smith could be back in the lineup in the coming days.

Smith was scratched from the lineup for Wednesday's spring game against the Marlins for an unspecified reason, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Smith was initially slated to play left field and bat fifth Wednesday. It's not yet clear whether his removal from the lineup is due to an injury, but Mallex Smith will take his place in the lineup against Miami.

Cabrera started at first base and went 2-for-3 with a double, a home run and three RBI in Tuesday's spring game against the Athletics.

The switch-hitting Cabrera swung the bat well from both sides of the plate, hitting the double off left-hander Jesus Luzardo and the homer of right-hander Burch Smith. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo hasn't set a defined role for Cabrera, whose multi-position ability and switch hitting could be useful in a variety of ways. Tuesday's game was his first spring start at first base. He also has starts at third base (four) and second base (three).

Beaty has been playing right field often this spring as he attempts to break camp with the Dodgers, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Beaty has started in right field only four times as a pro -- three times in the minors and once in 2019 with the Dodgers -- and he logged almost all his time in the field last season at first base. However, the organization strongly values versatility, so Beaty would benefit from showing that he can handle right field, even with Mookie Betts cemented at the position well into the future. Beaty is a serious contender for one of the team's final roster spots and may be earning the honor as much with his bat as with his versatility. Through 24 spring at-bats, he is hitting .292 with three RBI.

Alonso has gone 7-for-21 (.333) with three doubles and two home runs over his first nine Grapefruit League appearances.

The slugging first baseman saw his numbers tumble a bit last season in his second MLB campaign, but Alonso still posted a 162-game pace of 45 homers and 99 RBI. His batting average will always be volatile due to his strikeouts, but the 26-year-old's power potential remains elite.

Bell has gone 6-for-21 (.286) with three doubles and a home run over his first nine Grapefruit League appearances this spring.

The former Pirate has also flashed solid plate discipline with a 4:7 BB:K. Bell is coming off a disappointing 2020, but the Nats have the switch hitter set to hit in the heart of the order as their starting first baseman in hopes that he'll be able to rediscover the form that led him to 37 homers, 116 RBI and a .936 OPS in 2019.

Walker went 1-for-2 with a solo home run and two RBI in Monday's spring game against the Mariners.

Walker's hit three homers and knocked in six over eight Cactus League games. He experienced a drop off in 2020 but maintained a hard-hit rate from his breakout 2019 season.