MLB Player News

Walker went 1-for-1 with a double and a walk in Wednesday's game against the Athletics.

Walker was slowed by general body soreness early in camp before making his spring debut Wednesday. The right-handed batting first baseman should be in the lineup daily after appearing in 152 games last season.

Walker (upper body) will start at first base and bat fifth in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Athletics.

As anticipated, Walker will make his spring debut after he had been limited to begin camp due to general body soreness. With Opening Day still a month away, Walker has plenty of time to pick up the at-bats he needs to guarantee he avoids the injured list to begin the season.

Freeman (elbow) won't return to game action until next week, though general manager Alex Anthopoulos said Wednesday that the Braves aren't concerned about the issue, Gabe Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Freeman was scratched from the lineup Tuesday against the Twins with right elbow inflammation. The Braves' apparent optimism is shared by Freeman, who reportedly lobbied to return as soon as Thursday, but it's hard not to be at least a little bit worried about the issue. The veteran struggled with elbow problems late last season and underwent arthroscopic surgery to deal with the issue in October. It's possible the Braves are simply being overly cautious with their star first baseman early in camp, but the injury worries certainly add some risk to Freeman's draft stock this spring.

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."