MLB Player News

Goldschmidt (elbow) will start at first base and bat third in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

A sore right elbow had limited Goldschmidt to designated-hitter duties in his prior spring appearances, but he'll be able to take his normal position in the field after he was able to throw to all the bases Tuesday without any complications. The 32-year-old looks on track to head into Opening Day at full health and in pursuit of his fourth straight 30-homer campaign.

Walker (soreness) is expected to play Wednesday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Walker has been slowed by what manager Torey Lovulllo called "general body soreness," but the first baseman is expected to make his spring debut Wednesday against the Athletics. This spring is much different for Walker, whose performance in 2019 has all but locked up the starting first base job. Where previous springs were about making an impression, this year Walker's just trying to get himself ready for Opening Day.

Freeman was scratched from the lineup for Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins due to right elbow inflammation, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Atlanta is labeling Freeman's removal as precautionary, so he can be viewed as day-to-day for now. Even so, it's not the most encouraging sign that he's already dealing with some discomfort in the same elbow for which he required arthroscopic surgery back in October. Non-roster invitee Yonder Alonso will man first base in Freeman's stead Tuesday.

Goldschmidt, who served as the designated hitter in both Saturday's and Monday's Grapefruit League games, is up to throwing from 120 feet, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Although the news is encouraging, manager Mike Shildt still isn't prepared to offer a timeline for Goldschmidt's return to the field. The Cardinals' skipper labeled his slugger as "trending in the right direction", but also emphasized the team will not rush such a key player this early in spring.

Walker is making a slow start to spring training due to general body soreness, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Manager Torey Lovullo indicated it's not a serious concern and the 28-year-old could see game action as early as Tuesday, though there's no reason to rush him back at the start of spring training. Walker burst onto the scene in 2019 with a .259/.248/.476 slash line and 29 home runs in 152 games, and he's slated to begin this season as Arizona's starter at first base.

Freeman (elbow) is in the lineup for Saturday's spring opener against the Orioles.

Freeman spent the offseason working his way back from elbow surgery, but he has completed his recovery and will take the field for the Braves' first exhibition game. As he usually does, he will man first base and hit third Saturday.

Goldschmidt has been dealing with right elbow soreness during the early stages of camp, which will lead to the slugger slotting in as the designated hitter over the first pair of Grapefruit League contests, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Goldschmidt has eased into both fielding drills and throwing during the first week of camp due to the soreness, and manager Mike Shildt will take the extra precaution of keeping the veteran off the field altogether over the first two exhibitions, at minimum. "He started playing catch, little soreness in there," Shildt said. "Nothing uncommon. It's pretty much gone, but we just want to make sure we're ramping up his throwing to where it's smart, to where it doesn't come back."

Votto is extremely likely to continue batting second during the regular season, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. "His profile might fit as much as anyone who has ever played the game as far as his ability to get on base," manager David Bell said on Friday.

Bell hasn't outlined most of his lineup decisions yet, but he's emphasizing on-base skills toward the top. Talking about what type of hitters he wants batting leadoff ahead of Votto, Bell said: "I have a profile in mind, and we have guys that fit that for sure that are going to be regulars on our team. The big thing is getting on base. You look at our team last year, and the middle of our order and the damage that the middle of the order did last year and the potential of what they can do even more so this year, it's going to be important to get on base in front of those guys. The top of the order, on-base is really the No. 1 thing I look at. If guys can run, that's great, too, it's important."

Rizzo confirmed Thursday that he'll serve as the Cubs' No. 2 hitter this season, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

First-year manager David Ross will keep the tandem of Kris Bryant and Rizzo in back-to-back lineup spots, though both players will move up one slot in the order after the pair most commonly batted second and third, respectively, in 2019. Assuming the Cubs stay committed to Rizzo as the No. 2 hitter, the first baseman could make a legitimate push for 700 plate appearances for the second time in his career if he's able to avoid any absences due to injury. Rizzo has some limited prior experience as a No. 2 hitter, slashing .300/.401/.515 with 11 home runs and 27 RBI in 237 career plate appearances out of that lineup spot.

France spent time working with Padres catchers Tuesday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

This development adds a twist to the utility infielder's versatility and could help France in his quest to land a spot on the Opening Day roster. However, the Padres already have Francisco Mejia and Austin Hedges penciled in to cover backstop duties -- with Luis Torrens the next man up -- so it would likely take a series of injuries and/or transactions for France to log notable time behind the plate in 2020.