MLB Player News

Freeman (wrist) hopes to face live pitching within two weeks, MLB.com's Mark Bowman reports.

The Braves are worried that Freeman could have some lingering soreness in the same right wrist that bothered him for much of last season. He should still have a fairly normal spring, but It is somewhat concerning to hear Freeman acknowledge that his wrist feels better some days than others. However, he's beens swinging a bit since January and said that he hasn't suffered a setback.

The Braves have some concern that the soreness in Freeman's wrist might linger, so they will take it easy with him early this spring, MLB.com's Mark Bowman reports.

The Braves' plans for Freeman are not known, but they know what they have in him, so they will likely opt for the cautious route as often as possible. As long as things go according to plan and Freeman does not suffer any setbacks this spring, however, he should be ready to go when Opening Day rolls around.

Bour will get a chance to prove himself as an everyday player in 2016, the Miami Herald reports.

Bour clobbered 23 home runs in 446 plate appearances during his first extended action in Miami, but notably struggled with a .221/.279/.294 slash line in 68 at bats against left-handed pitching. New manager, Don Mattingly, is willing to give the 27-year-old slugger a clean slate heading into 2016, however, and does not plan to platoon Bour out of the gates. If the team does decide to sit Bour against tougher lefties, Chris Johnson -- a .326 hitter against left-handed pitching in 2015 -- could see a boost in playing time at first base.

Swanner received an invitation to spring training Thursday.

Swanner spent 2015 with Double-A New Britain and showed off his power with 17 home runs. Although the invitation is promising, he'll likely start the season in the minors to develop more.

Flores (ankle) is working out at full strength and said he'll be 100 percent for spring training, Newsday's Marc Carig reports.

Flores removed his walking boot just over a week ago, which is a good sign that he's progressing fairly quickly. He'll likely serve in a super utility role to open 2016 with Asdrubal Cabrera taking over at shortstop.

Flores, who fractured a bone in his left ankle after getting hit by a pitch in winter ball on November 26, has shed his walking boot and is working out in the Mets' complex in Port St. Lucie, ESPN New York reports.

Flores is slated to be a super-utility player, seeing time at all four infield positions, following the acquisitions of Neil Walker and Asdrubal Cabrera. In addition, he would likely replace David Wright at third base if Wright's bad back forces him out of action for any extended period of time. Flores could end up with 400+ plate appearances, giving him solid value in NL-only leagues and some value in mixed ones.

Freeman (wrist) took 30 "dry swings" and hit 25 balls off a tee Thursday, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. "Nice to finally swing a bat with no pain after seven months," Freeman said.

Freeman's wrist problems date back to about June of 2015, so you'll want to track his health carefully during the walk-up months to the fresh season. He also has to deal with a mediocre Atlanta supporting cast; the Braves could easily have the worst offense in the National League.

Manager Pete Mackanin said Howard (knee) will be platooned at first base if he does not show signs of improvement against left handed pitchers this spring, CSN Philadelphia reports.

Howard hit just .130 with a .418 OPS and 40 strikeouts against lefties last season. It seems unlikely that Howard will finally overcome his difficulties with lefties this spring. A more likely scenario has Howard opening the season in a platoon with Darin Ruf. That would continue the approach Mackanin took starting last August. Ruf hit .371 with 8 home runs and a 1.107 OPS against lefties last season.

Smith (oblique) received a spring training invite from the Mets, Adam Rubin of ESPN New York reports.

Smith, whose Arizona Fall League campaign was cut short due to an oblique injury, was the 2015 Florida State League MVP. He slashed .305/.354/.417 with six homers and 79 RBI in 118 games to earn the honor. Smith's power production is the main question about his game, but he showed some signs of breaking out last year and the belief is that he should end up as a 15-20 home run hitter at a minimum.

Carter signed a one-year deal with the Brewers on Wednesday.

Carter had a disappointing follow-up last season to his 37-homer 2014 campaign, as the right-handed slugger posted a .199 batting average over 460 plate appearances. He'll now get a fresh start with Milwaukee, competing with the likes of Garin Cecchini for reps at first base. He could also be one of the first pinch-hit options off the bench, as Carter was primarily used as a DH during his time in Houston.