MLB Player News

Shaw went 1-for-2 with a two-run homer in Friday's win over the Reds.

Shaw's towering shot to right field put the Giants up 5-3 in the eighth inning. The outfielder, who is competing for a starting gig this spring, is now 3-for-13 with a pair of homers and four RBI through six Cactus League games.

Alonso went 2-for-3 with two RBI in Thursday's 3-2 victory over the Cardinals.

Alonso has been hot at the plate so far this spring, collecting five hits, a home run, two runs scored and four RBI in 12 at-bats. The Mets will continue to take a hard look at Alonso throughout camp as he aims to earn a roster spot with the big-league club.

Hall went 2-for-2 with a homer and three RBI in Thursday's game against the Orioles.

Making his Grapefruit League debut Thursday, Hall didn't disappoint. The 23-year-old poked a run-scoring single in his first trip to the plate before leaving the yard in his second and final at-bat of the day. Hall is expected to open the year back on Philadelphia's farm after hitting .224/.296/.417 with 15 homers in his first taste of Double-A last season (80 games with Reading).

Walker went 2-for-3 with a double, a home run and four RBI in Sunday's Cactus League win over the Indians.

It's a make-or-break spring for Walker, who is out of minor-league options. He's mashed at Triple-A in recent years but has yet receive an extended look in the major leagues. The 27-year-old may finally get his opportunity in the form of a short-side platoon role alongside Jake Lamb at first base.

Alonso homered on the first pitch he saw this spring and added a walk in the Mets' victory over the Braves on Saturday.

Alonso launched a two-run shot off Touki Toussaint to tie the game in the second inning. The first baseman will reportedly be given a fair shot to earn an Opening Day roster spot, and games like Saturday's can only help his chances. The Mets could earn an extra year of control by keeping him in the minors, but with the team looking to compete and with new general manager Brodie Van Wagenen wanting to be "a player's guy," it's certainly possible that they buck the growing trend.

Alonso will now go by the first name "Pete," Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

The first base prospect was previously referred to as "Peter," but it seems he now wants people to call him by his preferred, shortened version. Alonso is firmly in the running for the Mets' starting first base job this spring, though questions about his defense as well as service time considerations are making his Opening Day roster status a bit murky. It seems like he has the bat to succeed in the majors, however, as he produced a strong .285/.395/.579 slash line across Double-A and Triple-A last season.

Smith will only play first base this spring, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Smith played 13 games in left field last season as the Mets attempted to find ways to get him playing time. At the moment, though, his bat isn't good enough to play anywhere, let alone first base, as he's hit just .210/.259/.406 in 105 major-league games. With Peter Alonso about to arrive, Smith doesn't appear to have an obvious place in the short term or long term with the Mets.

Votto spent the offseason analyzing his swing to find out why his power dropped off, and believes that the issue was mechanical and not a matter of physical strength, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. "I thought there was something in my swing, the angle as it came through the zone," Votto said. "A lot of my hard-hit balls were poorly directed. I think it was very much a mechanics thing and not a physical thing."

Votto has a reputation for having a sterling work ethic and an ability to diagnose his swing issues. He's gotten off to slow starts in recent years and is redoubling his efforts to overcome that shortcoming. With an NFBC ADP of 73, he's as affordable as ever this season.

Alonso will be given a chance to earn an Opening Day roster spot, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Alonso looked big-league ready last season after hitting .285/.395/.579 across the two highest levels of the minors, but the Mets didn't give him a September call-up, presumably to secure an extra year of team control. To follow through on such a move would require the team to keep him down for at least a couple weeks at the start of the season. General manager Brodie Van Wagenen wasn't in charge last year, though, so it's possible he has different ideas and wants his best players on the roster on Opening Day. Manager Mickey Callaway hinted at that Saturday, calling Van Wagenen "a player's guy," though it would be an unconventional (if commendable) move for the Mets to open with Alonso on the roster.

Blandino (knee) has been hitting and taking groundballs at the Reds' spring training facility, and expects to be ready by Opening Day, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Blandino had surgery to reconstruct both a torn ACL and MCL, and he might not be ready for the start of full-squad workouts next week. When he is ready, he's far from guaranteed a roster spot.