MLB Player News

Casas is in Boston on Thursday getting a non-baseball medical issue checked out, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

With the nature of the issue unclear, it's difficult to say when Casas will return to the field. He was invited to big-league camp but has played just two games above Low-A, so he wasn't going to push for a roster spot even if he was healthy all spring.

Smith is expected to see his first game action of the spring Thursday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

The 25-year-old will ease in as the DH before taking the field defensively Saturday. Smith will likely spend most of his time in left field during Grapefruit League action, as the Mets feel the stress fracture he suffered in his foot in 2019 was a result of moving back and forth between first base and the outfield. "This time, we want him to spend more time in left," manager Luis Rojas said Wednesday. "We'll gradually put him in the spot where he can start coming into games. Doing his drills and then he's gonna get to play on the field later." Over the last two seasons, Smith has posted a dynamic .299/.366/.571 slash line through 139 games with 21 homers, so finding a regular spot for him in the lineup will be a priority for the club in camp.

Hoskins (elbow) will make his spring debut Thursday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Hoskins has not taken the field since being cleared to play in late February, but he is set to do just that Thursday. While he will serve as the designated hitter, he will get a chance to get in his first at-bats of the spring. Barring any issues, Hoskins will have plenty of time to get up to full speed before Opening Day.

Dalbec went 2-for-3 with two home runs and three RBI in Wednesday's spring game against the Twins.

Dalbec's power potential has been on display early in camp. The 25-year-old slugger has three homers in six at-bats over four games. Dalbec will be Boston's primary starter at first base in 2021.

Walker went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer in Wednesday's spring game against the Indians.

Walker slid back slightly in 2020 after a breakout 2019 season, but he should get plenty of plate appearances in 2021 as Arizona's starter at first base.

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.