MLB Player News

Rizzo went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Mariners.

Rizzo hit his first spring home run, joining Joc Pederson in slugging a two-run shot for Chicago. The 31-year-old first baseman had his $16.5 million team option picked up during the offseason, and he'll look to bounce back this year after posting a .756 OPS in 2020, his worst mark since 2013.

Calhoun underwent a successful partial medial meniscectomy surgery on his right knee Wednesday, Jody Jackson of FOX Sports Arizona reports.

Calhoun was diagnosed with a torn meniscus Tuesday after battling right knee inflammation during camp, and he had part of his meniscus removed during his successful procedure Wednesday. A timetable for his return isn't yet known, although it's unlikely the 33-year-old will be able to recover in time for Opening Day.

Vaughn went 1-for-2 with a walk, a three-run home run and an additional run in Tuesday's spring game against Texas.

Vaughn lifted a first-inning, three-run homer off Kohei Arihara, his first long ball of Cactus League play. The 2019 third-overall draft pick also has three walks through his first two spring training games. Vaughn is projected as the team's starting designated hitter, per Scott Merkin of MLB.com, and the rookie's plate approach and power potential appears ready for MLB.

Abreu went 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Tuesday's Cactus League game against Texas.

Abreu made his spring debut Tuesday after testing positive for COVID-19. Last season's AL MVP, Abreu told Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun Times he'd be ready to hit if the season were to start now.

Calhoun will undergo a right knee medial meniscectomy Wednesday to address a torn meniscus, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

The 33-year-old has been battling inflammation in his right knee, and after undergoing an MRI on Tuesday that resulted in the torn meniscus being diagnosed, he'll quickly go under the knife. The Diamondbacks have yet to provide an official recovery timetable, but 4-to-6 weeks is a reasonable expectation until we know more. With that in mind, Calhoun likely will be sidelined for Opening Day, though the specifics may remain hazy until the team provides another update on his status.

Calhoun will have surgery on his right knee Wednesday, although the team does not yet have a public diagnosis, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

He went for an MRI on Tuesday after dealing with right knee inflammation, and the tests obviously returned something that required a procedure. This could range from a season-ender to a cleanup that may allow Calhoun to return sometime this summer. Daulton Varsho, Josh Rojas, Tim Locastro and Josh VanMeter are all options to pick up the slack in Calhoun's absence.

Olson's two-run home run in his Cactus League debut against the Reds on Monday boasted an exit velocity of approximately 116 mph, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

All the required disclaimers about spring training aside, Olson's moon shot was nevertheless encouraging after he spent the offseason tweaking his swing following a paltry .195 average and 31.4 percent strikeout rate in 2020. Monday's blast went beyond the two bullpens situated behind right field before landing in the players' parking lot -- perhaps an early harbinger of Olson returning to the caliber of production that netted a 36-homer, 91-RBI season just two years ago.

Calhoun has been dealing with right knee inflammation since the offseason and went for an MRI on Tuesday, Zach Buchanan of The Athletic reports.

Calhoun still has time to be ready for Opening Day if the MRI reveals nothing serious, but even a shutdown of just a week or two could threaten his readiness for the start of the season, which is now less than a month away. The veteran is coming off a strong season that saw him finish tied for seventh in the league with 16 homers, so losing him would be a blow to the Diamondbacks. Tim Locastro or Josh VanMeter could step into bigger roles if Calhoun's forced to miss time.

Freeman said Tuesday that he's tentatively planning on opening the 2021 season as the Braves' No. 3 hitter, Gabe Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Freeman started out last season in the three hole, but he ultimately moved into the No. 2 spot for his final 17 starts of the abbreviated campaign. The first baseman posted a monstrous 1.202 OPS as the No. 2 hitter compared to a .982 OPS batting third, but that difference can probably be chalked up to a small sample of plate appearances more than anything else. Whatever spot he occupies, Freeman should be an elite source of counting stats in a potent Braves lineup while also giving fantasy managers a solid foundation in both batting average and on-base percentage. Like many established stars around the league, Freeman is being eased into game action this spring, with his Grapefruit League debut coming Friday against the Twins, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com.

White Sox manager Tony La Russa said Abreu may make his spring debut Tuesday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Abreu entered camp late due to COVID-19. He's taken batting practice every day since Saturday, appeared in an intrasquad game, and fielded groundballs Monday.