MLB Player News

Reds first baseman Joey Votto has been limited to five spring games and eight at-bats midway through March, but the limited playing time this spring isn't an issue for the team. The Reds are just happy to see Votto healthy after he missed 100 games last year due to a knee/quad injury.

"We haven't had to address his knee," Reds manager Bryan Price said, per the Cincinnati Enquirer. "Since he got back into game activity, we haven't had to talk to him at all about health, so that's been a blessing. He looks really spry and agile out in the field. He's running the bases aggressively. There don't seem to be any limitations at all in his style of play.

"Knock on wood, He looks really good. He looks ready to go. He's wanted the workload."

The Reds were being cautious with Votto at the beginning of camp, as he was held out of early spring games. But since being cleared to play, he has had no limitations.

"I feel very normal," Votto said. "I'm fitting in with the guys like everyone else. I'm going through the work like everyone else. I haven't been thinking about my leg. I'm thinking about performing and getting ready for what hopefully is a championship season."

Phillies slugger Ryan Howard went 2 for 4 with a double and a home run in a spring game on Sunday. After the game, he told reporters his legs feel fine and pain-free leading up to the season opener, per MLB.com.

"If it seems like it's night and day to you, then it's night and day," Howard said. "I feel good. My legs feel good. My legs feel fine. I did what I needed to do. I was pretty much pain-free this offseason, so I was able to get back on my workouts to do what I need to get my legs stronger."

Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said Sunday that Joey Terdoslavich is capable enough in the outfield to warrant a roster spot, MLB.com reports.

Terdoslavich played mainly in the infield in his first few minor-league seasons before starting to see work in the outfield in 2013. He smacked his first home run of the spring Sunday and is now hitting .320/.370/.600 in 25 at-bats.

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard hit his first home run of the spring on Friday. 

Howard hit a two-run shot to right off of Rays starter Chris Archer. He went 1-for-3 with one strikeout to bring his spring average to .200. 

Howard hit .223 with 23 home runs and 95 RBI last season. 

Mets shortstop Wilmer Flores has been able to keep doubters away so far this spring. Flores has shown vast improvement on defense, including a diving grab on Xander Bogaerts Sunday, reports N.Y. Daily News.

"He's centered on one job and one job only. He is not bouncing around at second or backing up David," manager Terry Collins said. "Look, we have to find out if he can play shortstop. But so far he’s done well."

Joey Votto returned to the Reds' lineup on Saturday and went one-for-two. 

Votto played for the first time since July 5. He missed 100 games with a strained quadriceps.

On Saturday, Votto played three innings in the field and had two plate appearances before leaving the game.

"It was good to get some swings off. I'm behind most guys right now," Votto told MLB.com's Mark Sheldon. "I'm typically a slow [to] get-it-going sort of guy so I'll have to be sure to play hurry-up offense." 

Reds first baseman Joey Votto is slated to make his spring debut Saturday against the Royals. He is penciled in to bat second and start at first base.

The Reds have been cautious with Votto early in spring training as he missed 100 games in 2014 due to a left knee injury.

Mets shortstop Wilmer Flores returned to the spring lineup Friday against the Tigers after leaving Wednesday's spring game against the Nationals. Flores exited Wednesday's game after getting hit on the right pinkie finger in the fifth inning.

Anthony Rizzo has primarily hit third in his major-league career with the Cubs, but manager Joe Maddon is toying with the idea of batting Rizzo second when he opts to hit the pitcher eighth in the lineup. 

“I liked Jimmy Edmonds batting two,” Maddon said when Edmonds was an Angel, per ESPN. “I liked when we put him in the two hole. When you get a better hitter like that in the lineup, you want someone at the bottom to feed him.” 

Rizzo would like to stay in the same spot in the lineup, but he said he is just focused on getting his timing down at the plate.

“I think everyone would like one spot but it doesn’t matter to me,” Rizzo said Thursday. “I just want to see a live at-bat first before I worry about where I’m hitting.” 

Reds manager Bryan Price said Thursday first baseman Joey Votto is getting closer to making his spring debut, per the Cincinnati Enquirer. Votto missed 100 games last season with a left knee injury. 

"You won't have to hold your breath, I promise you, you won't have to hold your breath for this," Price said. "Just to reiterate, we just went too far into the rehab and made a commitment to do an extensive rehab to do anything before we feel he's ready. I think he's very close and he's champing at the bit to get in there."