MLB Player News

Cubs skipper Joe Maddon confirmed that Rizzo (back) will play in Monday's Cactus League game against the Angels, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

Rizzo has been out the last couple of days with lower-back tightness, but the first baseman was never at much risk of a long-term absence. Maddon indicated that in addition to playing Monday, Rizzo will also take the field in Tuesday's exhibition with Team Italy in their preparation for the World Baseball Classic.

Rizzo (back) says he expects to play in Monday's Cactus League game against the Angels, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

Rizzo has been dealing with lower-back tightness over the past few days, but says that it is nothing serious. His return to action will be a welcome sight for the Cubs.

Rizzo (back) is expected to play in Tuesday's World Baseball Classic game against Team Italy, Jesse Rogers of ESPN reports.

Rizzo has been battling tightness in his lower back for the past several days, but it appears to be nothing of serious concern. That said, Rizzo's condition should still be monitored throughout the WBC, which runs through March 22.

Rizzo (back) remains out of the Cubs' Cactus League lineup Friday, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

Chicago remains conservative with the Cubs' masher after scratching him from the starting order Thursday. Fantasy drafters shouldn't panic, though, as Rizzo has plenty of time to get healthy before Opening Day.

Stassi started in left field Thursday for the first time this spring and went 3-for-5 at the plate.

Stassi is off to an excellent start in his quest to win a bench job. He is hitting .636 with a 1.940 OPS in 12 plate appearances this spring.

Rizzo is experiencing lower back tightness and has been scratched from the Cubs' Cactus League lineup Thursday, Patrick Mooney of CSN Chicago reports.

It appears to be a safety measure, but Chris Dominguez will replace him at first base. Rizzo's status is worth watching, but unless the injury worsens in the coming days or weeks, the 27-year-old should remain a steady first-round mixed fantasy pick.

Bell (knee) has been cleared to run the bases and will begin playing in simulated games in the coming week, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. "He is in the final stages of his preparation for game activity," trainer Todd Tomczyk said.

Bell underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee one month ago. He's been taking grounders and running in straight lines, but the latest news is even more encouraging. "Actually, it's felt great for a couple weeks now," Bell said. "I guess the soreness from the incision points where they scoped into the knee, the soreness there has gone away. I feel as close to 100 percent as I'm going to feel."

Joseph went 1-for-3 with his first homer of the spring in Tuesday's 7-5 win over the Orioles.

Joseph will open the season as Philadelphia's regular first baseman after hitting .257/.308/.505 with 21 home runs in 315 at-bats last year while splitting time with Ryan Howard. With Howard out of the picture, Joseph will see the majority of the starts at first base and could top 30 home runs this season.

Freeman went 2-for-3 with three RBI in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers.

He's 5-for-7 to begin spring training, and Freeman seems intent on repeating or bettering his career-best numbers from 2016, during which he slugged 34 home runs with a .969 OPS. With an improving lineup around him, the 27-year-old should be able to record his second career 100-RBI season.

Flores got the start at first base during Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros, going 1-for-3 with a solo home run.

He could see more action at first base than anticipated early in the season, given Lucas Duda's ongoing back issues, but Flores still figures to serve mainly as a platoon option off the bench this season for the Mets. His power and multiple paths to playing time still make him a viable roster option in deep NL-only formats, however.