MLB Player News

Rizzo said he is "very optimistic" about reaching a contract extension with the Cubs during spring training, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

The star first baseman is set to become a free agent next offseason unless he and the Cubs agree on an extension. Rizzo is currently playing on a $16.5 million team option for the 2021 season, and he'll be looking to bounce back after his OPS dipped to .756 during the shortened 2020 season, his lowest mark since 2013.

Casas received full clearance to participate in all activities and could play in a spring game this weekend, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Casas had been away in Boston for a non-baseball medical issue and recently cleared intake protocols. The plan will be to get him at-bats during Cactus League games before the well-regarded prospect is reassigned to minor-league camp.

Voit went 1-for-3 with an RBI in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

Voit missed a few games due to a sore right knee, but the issue was clearly minor given the slugger's ability to play -- albeit at DH -- Thursday. Voit felt well enough to test the knee on a tag-up from second base following a flyball to left, and though he was thrown out, he appeared to come out of it none the worse for wear. Per Marly Rivera of ESPN.com, Voit will have a planned day off Friday.

Torkelson went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays.

Through seven games this spring, Torkelson is 0-for-13 with eight strikeouts. There will be better days ahead for the uber-talented 21-year-old, but he clearly needs a little seasoning in the minors. Torkelson could begin the season at High-A West Michigan and potentially move up the ladder fairly quickly if he performs well.

Smith is expected to play in left field during Friday's spring game against Miami, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Smith had been serving as the designated hitter for the Mets over the past week as the team brought him along slowly to begin spring training. He'll make his first defensive appearance in Friday's matchup since the Mets want to give him ample playing time at his primary position ahead of Opening Day. The 25-year-old has gone just 1-for-11 with a two-run homer and six strikeouts over his first four Grapefruit League games.

Naylor is the leading candidate to be Cleveland's Opening Day right fielder, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Cleveland has played Naylor exclusively in the outfield this spring as Jake Bauers and Bobby Bradley compete for the first base job. Naylor could find himself on the strong side of a platoon, but the job appears to be his to lose. He's hitting .214/.267/.357 with zero home runs, two strikeouts and one walk in 14 at-bats during Cactus League play. Prospect Daniel Johnson has outperformed Naylor thus far, but all indications are that Johnson will get more seasoning in the minors to start the year.

Dalbec went 1-for-3 with a grand slam in Wednesday's spring game against Atlanta.

This was his fourth home run of the Grapefruit League. The power he showed in 2020 -- when he hit eight over 80 at-bats -- is for real. Dalbec, who had a 42.4 strikeout rate in 2020, is a free swinger, so his goal is to make contact in key situations, which he did Wednesday. As Boston's projected starter at first base, Dalbec will be given ample opportunity to grow as a hitter in 2021.

France went 2-for-2 with a double, a home run, two RBI, a walk and two runs in a Cactus League win over the Royals on Tuesday, pushing his spring-training average to .615 (8-for-13) across six games.

France has already racked up 19 total bases in 15 plate appearances, and five (two doubles, three home runs) of his eight hits have gone for extra bases. The 26-year-old is slated for full-time designated hitter duties in 2021, with a likely move to third base in 2022 if the team parts ways with Kyle Seager.

Voit (knee) will serve as the designated hitter in Thursday's spring game against the Phillies, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

The 30-year-old was scratched from Tuesday's Grapefruit League contest due to right knee soreness, but he's expected to make a relatively quick return to the lineup. Voit participated in defensive drills Wednesday and will return to action at first base in the near future if all goes well Thursday.

Voit (knee) participated in defensive drills Wednesday, Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports.

Voit was scratched from Tuesday's Grapefruit League lineup due to right knee soreness, but manager Aaron Boone wasn't too concerned about the issue. He isn't starting Wednesday's spring game against Pittsburgh, but it's unlikely that the issue will have a significant impact on his preparation for Opening Day.