MLB Player News

The Reds announced Wednesday that Votto tested positive for COVID-19, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Votto was initially placed on the injured list Wednesday without an explanation, but he ultimately gave the team permission to reveal the nature of his absence. It's not yet certain whether he's experiencing any symptoms, but he'll be away from the team for at least 10 days while he waits to clear MLB's COVID-19 protocol, according to Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer. With just over three weeks remaining until Opening Day, it's fair to wonder whether the 37-year-old will be able to build up in time for the start of the year.

Votto was placed on the 10-day injured list for an undisclosed reason Wednesday.

The Reds didn't provide a reason for Votto's placement on the injured list, and it's not yet clear when he'll be able to return to action. The 37-year-old had appeared in four games to begin spring training and went 4-for-9 with a double, two runs, one walk and two strikeouts.

Votto was placed on the injured list by the Reds on Wednesday without an injury designation, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Votto was similarly placed on the injured list last season for one day when he reported illness symptoms and got checked out to make sure he didn't test positive for COVID-19. There's been no word yet if this is a similar instance.

Cron went 3-for-3 with a solo home run, two doubles and two runs in Tuesday's spring win over the Diamondbacks.

Cron got off to a slow start this spring, going just 1-for-13 with a single and six strikeouts across five games, but he had his way against Arizona in Tuesday's blowout win. Although the 31-year-old is in camp as a non-roster invitee, he has a good chance to carve out regular at-bats during the regular season. Josh Fuentes has also impressed at the plate and on defense while competing for the job at first base, but Fuentes can also play third base and left field, which should leave Cron with plenty of opportunities at first.

White is 1-for-10 with a double, a walk and two RBI across his first five Cactus League games.

White is once again ticketed for everyday duties at first base after logging 54 starts there as a rookie in 2020. The 24-year-old managed an anemic .176/.252/.346 line across his 202 plate appearances, but he displayed some promising pop by lacing 15 of his 32 hits for extra bases (seven doubles, eight home runs).

Goldschmidt is hitting .200 (2-for-10) with a double and two walks over his first five Grapefruit League games.

The veteran slugger picked up the two-bagger in Monday's tie with the Marlins but has otherwise been very quiet to start spring play. Goldschmidt posted an impressive .304/.417/.466 line across 230 plate appearances last season and could be set for a similarly successful 2021 with Nolan Arenado projected to hit directly behind him in the lineup.

Casas (undisclosed) rejoined the Red Sox for workouts Tuesday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Casas had been away for the team for about a week due to an undisclosed non-baseball medical issue, but he's apparently made a return to full health while also clearing all COVID-19 intake testing. The 21-year-old third baseman is expected to ramp up his activity gradually over the next few days before potentially getting the chance to play in a Grapefruit League game for Boston.

Votto is 4-for-9 with a walk to begin the season and has taken a different approach to spring training at-bats this season to help counter recent slow starts in previous seasons, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. "Yeah, he looks different," manager David Bell said on Monday. "I know that he's intentionally made some changes, and I think it's showing up."

Votto in previous years would sometimes not swing at all in his first couple of spring training at-bats, but that hasn't been the case this spring. Votto is still going after pick 300 and after the 30th first baseman in most drafts. He's not a bad option to fill your last corner or utility spot as a potential source of profit.

Olson, who went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run and an additional run in Sunday's Cactus League win over Cleveland, is now hitting .500 with three homers and eight RBI overall across four spring games.

Olson also has a two-bagger on his spring resume and has encouragingly struck out only twice, as the extensive work he put in on his hitting during the offseason is clearly paying early dividends. There's no concerns about the 26-year-old's prodigious power stroke, but a reduction in last season's career-worst 31.4 percent strikeout rate will be key to Olson's chances of significantly boosting last year's abysmal .195 average.

The Low-A St. Lucie Mets announced Monday that Joseph has been named the team's hitting coach, signaling the end of his playing career.

Joseph's transition into coaching will mark the end of a 12-year professional career that began in 2009, when he was a second-round selection of the Giants. He ended up spending two seasons in the big leagues with Philadelphia, slashing .247/.297/.460 with 43 home runs in 880 plate appearances. In addition to his stints in the Giants and Phillies organizations, the 29-year-old also saw minor-league action with the Rangers and Red Sox.