MLB Player News

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard has hit just .171/.216/.343 with three home runs in 70 spring at-bats, but manager Ryne Sandberg is optimistic he's due for a good season, MLB.com reports.

"You know what?" Sandberg said. "He's put in the work. He's done everything that's been asked. Hopefully all of that will pay off in the season. He's in a good place as far as his stance. He's done a lot of extra hitting. I think he has more bat speed than he had all of last year. So I look forward to those things to click and I look for him to hopefully get off to a good start and a good season."

Howard hit 58 home runs in his first full season in the majors then went on to collect at least 45 home runs in each of his next three seasons through 2009. He hasn't been able to match that production since, failing to post an OPS over .800 in any of his last three seasons. Howard hit .223/.310/.380 with 23 home runs andn 95 RBI in 569 at-bats last season.

Astros manager A.J. Hinch told reporters that Chris Carter will be the team's primary first baseman to start the season, according to the Houston Chronicle.

Carter played 14 of his 145 games at first base last season. The 28-year-old slashed .227/.308/.491 with career-best 37 homers and 88 RBI over 507 at-bats last season. He has a .257 batting average with two home runs and 10 RBI this spring.

Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt homered in the team's 8-7 victory over the Angels on Tuesday, reports Rotoworld.

Goldschmidt, 27, also hit two singles, going 3 for 5 on the day. His performance raised his batting average to .255 this spring. The right-hander also has two home runs and five RBI this offseason.

Kelly Johnson will make the Braves Opening Day roster, according to a report by Yahoo's Jeff Passan.

Johnson's versatility helped earn him the spot--he can play three infield positions as well as the outfield. The decision to keep Johnson could be a bad sign for Joey Terdoslavich, who was believed to be competing with him for a bench role. 

Joey Terdoslavich took batting practice on Tuesday and hopes to return to the field Wednesday, after missing 10 days with a wrist injury. 

Terdoslavich sprained his left wrist while diving to make a tag on March 21. 

"It’s just weird the way it happened, just kind of a freak thing," Terdoslavich said, per the Atlanta Journal Constitution. "But a wrist and hand with a hitter is just like a pitcher with a (sore) elbow or shoulder. You don’t want to have it linger all year."

Terdoslavich is hitting .278 this spring. He's competing with Kelly Johnson for a bench spot on the Braves' roster. 

White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu went a perfect 4 for 4 at the plate Tuesday with two doubles and one RBI against the Dodgers.

Abreu is now hitting .519 during spring training in 51 at-bats. 

The Marlins infielders Donovan Solano and Don Kelly were notified that they'll break camp with the big-league club, earning the final two spots on Miami's roster, according to FOX Sports Florida. According to MLB.com, Sam Dyson is also expected to make the club.

White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu was not in the lineup for a second straight game Monday, but general manager Rick Hahn said that there are no health issues with the first baseman, ESPNChicago.com reports.

"Everything's fine,” Hahn said. "There's no health issue whatsoever."

Abreu was scheduled to take a personal day Tuesday but had the off-day moved up to Monday. He has hit .479/.490/.625 with one home run in 48 at-bats.

Braves outfielder Joey Terdoslavich received a cortisone injection over the weekend to help relieve inflammation in his wrist, which he injured while diving for a baseball in a March 21 game against the Cardinals, per the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

“Hopefully tomorrow,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said Monday of a possible return date for Terdsoslavich, who was competing with Kelly Johnson and others for a spot on the team's bench/

Reds first baseman Joey Votto has been moving well in spring training, a good sign after he missed 100 games last year due to a knee/quad injury.

Votto has slid both head first and feet first during games, and manager Bryan Price described him as looking "spry" per John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer. 

Votto is hitting .296 with a homer and six RBI this spring.