MLB Player News

Freeman is expected to bat fifth against left-handed starters at the outset of the regular season, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Freeman's spot in the lineup was already slated for a change against righties, as he's been tabbed for the cleanup role against such starters after primarily hitting third in the order versus right-handers last year. Now it appears Freeman will bump down to fifth against southpaws, while catcher Will Smith is slated to bat fourth in those games. The fantasy impact on Freeman's production will probably be minimal, and there should be no shortage of opportunities for run production given Los Angeles' loaded lineup.

The Red Sox placed Casas (knee) on the 10-day injured list Wednesday.

Casas is expected to remain at extended spring training in Florida for at least the first month of the season while he works his way back from the surgery he underwent May 4 to address a ruptured left patellar tendon. Per MLB.com, Casas recently reached a key milestone in the recovery process by getting cleared to run the bases and slide, but it's unclear when he might be ready to play in simulated games or take part in a minor-league rehab assignment.

Olson went 2-for-3 with two solo home runs in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates.

The slugging first baseman took Carson Fulmer deep in the first inning before clobbering a Mike Clevinger fastball in the sixth. Olson appears more than ready for Opening Day, slashing .333/.373/.750 in 16 spring games with six homers.

Casas (knee) will continue his progression in Fort Myers for the next couple weeks before getting into extended spring training games, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Per Cotillo, sliding is the next big hurdle for Casas, who has already been cleared to run. Casas has been working on his rehab in Florida all offseason and is noticeably carrying less weight this spring.

The Reds selected Lowe's contract from Triple-A Louisville on Monday.

The move corresponds with the Reds placing right-hander Hunter Greene (elbow) on the 60-day injured list. Lowe signed a minor-league contract with Cincinnati in mid-February and made a strong case for a spot on the Opening Day roster across his 17 Cactus League games, when he slashed .268/.362/.585 with three home runs and eight RBI in 47 plate appearances. Lowe gives the Reds another left-handed bat and depth at first base behind Sal Stewart.

Stewart is projected by MLB.com to start at first base and bat cleanup against lefty Garrett Crochet and the Red Sox on Opening Day.

The 22-year-old has put together an impressive spring with a 1.066 OPS, three homers and four steals across 54 Cactus League plate appearances. With that, Stewart has been moving up manager Terry Francona's batting order, seeing time in the cleanup spot against both lefties and righties over the final week of exhibition play. It remains to be seen if it will stick, as Stewart's strikeout rate shot up 10 percentage points in his first cup of coffee in the majors last season, but the Reds clearly think he's ready to make a difference as a slugging first baseman in the heart of the lineup.

Guerrero went 2-for-2 with a walk, a two-run home run and a second run scored in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays.

The first-inning homer off Nick Martinez was Guerrero's first in eight Grapefruit League games, although he also slugged two in five contests for the Dominican Republic during the WBC. Guerrero is batting .444 (8-for-18) with a 4:1 BB:K for the Jays this spring, and the 27-year-old looks locked in for the start of the regular season.

The Twins optioned Wagaman to Triple-A St. Paul on Monday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Wagaman slashed .256/.341/.333 with one home run and a 5:13 BB:K this spring for the Twins. With Ryan Kreidler also sent to St. Paul, Tristan Gray appears to have captured the final spot on the Twins' bench.

The Red Sox optioned Gasper to Triple-A Worcester on Monday.

Boston also reassigned Matt Thaiss to minor-league camp as part of Monday's roster cuts, solidifying Carlos Narvaez and Connor Wong as the big club's two catchers heading into Opening Day. Gasper is kicking off his second stint with the Red Sox after previously spending his 2024 rookie campaign in Boston before he was traded to the Twins last offseason. He saw limited action at the big-league level for Minnesota in 2025, slashing .158/.257/.232 with two home runs, two stolen bases, 11 RBI and 15 runs in 45 games.

Eldridge went 2-for-3 with a home run and a double in Triple-A Sacramento's 2-1 exhibition win over the Giants on Sunday.

After being left off San Francisco's Opening Day roster, Eldridge looked sharp in Sunday's tune-up game. The 21-year-old hit a 444-foot home run to center field in the fourth and added a double in the seventh. He'll begin the 2026 campaign in the minors to get more reps at first base and continue working on his plate discipline, but he's likely to earn a call-up at some point this season. Over 19 Cactus League games this spring, Eldridge slashed .225/.380/.450 with eight runs scored, six RBI, one home run and a 9:19 BB:K across 50 plate appearances.