MLB Player News

Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Monday that the club is looking at Canha primarily as an option at first base, designated hitter and pinch hitter, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Most of Canha's experience at the major-league level is as an outfielder, but it sounds like the Brewers would use him there only in a pinch. The 36-year-old is in camp as a non-roster invitee, but he should have a good chance to make Milwaukee's Opening Day roster. Canha struggled in 2024, slashing .242/.344/.346 in 125 games between the Tigers and Giants.

Freeman (ankle) could make his Cactus League debut Thursday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Freeman has been brought along slowly in Dodgers camp following December surgery to remove loose bodies in his right ankle, but he's progressing well. The veteran first baseman will get some at-bats in a minor-league game Monday and is tracking toward his first official spring training action later this week. Freeman is expected to be ready to go for the Dodgers' season-opening two-game series against the Cubs in Tokyo on March 18-19.

Caglianone hit a 435-foot home run with a 115.4 mph exit velocity in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the White Sox, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The No. 6 overall pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, Caglianone has at least 70-grade raw power and is in his first big-league camp. The Royals coaches were very complimentary of Caglianone, who is working on not swinging as hard as he can every time, and letting his natural raw power do the work while chasing less. If he can develop even just a 50-grade hit tool, Caglianone could annually be among the league leaders in home runs. He is likely to open the year at Double-A, but from there, he'll climb as quickly and as far as his talent takes him.

Steer (shoulder) is scheduled to begin throwing Monday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Steer is delayed in playing the field due to a sore right shoulder. He is able to DH and did so for one Cactus League game thus far.

Flores (knee) is starting at first base and batting fifth for Sunday's Cactus League game against the Reds, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The 33-year-old was limited to 71 games and finished last season on the injured list due to a knee injury that necessitated surgery, but he's ready to go for the start of spring training. Flores exercised his $3.5 million player option for 2025 in November and is expected to fill the small side of a platoon at first base with LaMonte Wade.

Castro signed a minor-league contract with the Astros in November that includes an invitation to spring training.

Castro hasn't seen action in affiliated baseball since 2021 and spent the past few seasons playing in independent ball and the Venezuelan Winter League. The 29-year-old had a 1.095 OPS and 24 homers in 95 games with the Staten Island Ferry Hawks in the Atlantic League last year and is likely to begin 2025 at Triple-A Sugar Land.

Lofton will compete with Cavan Biggio and Harold Castro for a utility role this spring, the Kansas City Star reports. He's 3-for-4 in his first two spring games.

Loftin had a .803 OPS in his first taste of the majors in 19 games in 2023, but he struggled last season with a .518 OPS in 57 games. He still hit .302 with a .857 OPS at Triple-A last season. He can play several positions in the infield and outfield -- he played second base Saturday -- but the Royals may prefer a left-handed hitter in the role (both Castro and Biggio hit lefty). At just age 26 this season, Loftin may have the most upside among the group.

Milwaukee signed Canha to a minor-league contract Saturday that includes an invitation to spring training, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Canha went through most of the offseason without garnering interest from a team, but he will get a chance to catch on with the Brewers for the 2025 campaign. He ended the 2024 regular season with the Cardinals after being traded by the Tigers in July, but he suffered a right thumb sprain in late September that resulted in him being placed on the 10-day IL. He finished the 2024 regular season slashing .242/.344/.346 with seven stolen bases, seven home runs and 42 RBI across 462 plate appearances. If he does manage to make the Opening Day roster, the 36-year-old Canha won't likely serve in more than a complementary role behind Jackson Chourio, Garrett Mitchell and Sal Frelick.

Solano is expected to be present at Seattle's camp Saturday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Solano missed the early part of camp due to visa issues, but the matter appears to have been resolved. Given that there is over a month left until the Mariners' first regular-season game, the infielder's initial absence shouldn't affect his readiness for the start of the campaign. Solano joined Seattle on a one-year contract in January and will likely be used at the corner infield spots during the upcoming season, though he's not slated for an everyday role.

Steer (shoulder) will serve as the designated hitter in one of Saturday's split-squad games, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Steer is nursing a shoulder injury but is expected to begin throwing soon, per manager Terry Francona. Steer might also play first base with the caveat that he's not to throw until he's ready. Steer, who made 100 starts in the outfield (98 in left field) last season and is expected to be in the outfield mix in 2025, will need to go through a progression before playing there.