MLB Player News

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday that he expects Freeman (rib) to play in the upcoming Freeway Series against the Angels, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Freeman lobbied to play in the second game of the Tokyo Series, but the team decided it was best to take the cautious route, per David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports. Freeman was said to be feeling "much better than [Tuesday]," when he had to be scratched from the lineup for the season opener. Roberts wouldn't commit to Freeman playing in the exhibition series against the Angels, but it sounds like the team is cautiously optimistic the first baseman will be able to return to action and log at least a few reps ahead of the March 27 domestic opener against the Tigers.

Freeman (rib) is not in the lineup for the second game of the Tokyo Series against the Cubs on Wednesday.

A late scratch from the starting nine for the season opener, Freeman estimated his chances of playing in the series finale at 75 percent when speaking to the media after Tuesday's game. However, he will be held out of the lineup yet again. Freeman said the discomfort is in the same spot where he tore rib cartilage during the postseason last fall, and while he said the soreness is less severe this time, it's possible he will require addition testing once the Dodgers return home to Los Angeles.

Tellez has made a strong case for an Opening Day roster spot this spring, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Tellez, who is currently a non-roster invitee, is leaving the Mariners with a tough roster decision to make ahead of Opening Day. Through 37 Cactus League at-bats, the veteran slugger is batting .297 with three home runs, two doubles and four RBI. If Tellez makes the cut, he's expected to mix in at first base with fellow left-handed hitter Luke Raley and at designated hitter with Mitch Garver as well as Mitch Haniger (shoulder).

The Pirates reassigned Hall to minor-league camp Tuesday.

The 29-year-old joined Pittsburgh as a non-roster invitee in December and clubbed three homers during spring training, though he also batted just .190. Hall spent last season at the Triple-A level with the Phillies and had an underwhelming .238/.321/.390 slash line with 16 home runs in 114 games.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday that he expects Goldschmidt (back) to return to the lineup Thursday or Friday, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

Goldschmidt had to depart Monday's Grapefruit League contest against the Blue Jays due to a sore back, which is an injury he'd been battling through for a few days. As long as the veteran first baseman avoids a setback, there's no worry about his Opening Day readiness.

Gurriel went 2-for-3 with a home run, a double and four total RBI in Monday's Cactus League win against the Brewers.

Gurriel smashed a two-run homer to left-center field in the second inning and added a two-run double in the fifth. The big performance brought the 40-year-old's spring slash line to .286/.310/.500 as he looks to earn a spot on the Padres' Opening Day roster. Gurriel is in camp as a non-roster invitee after signing a minor-league contract in mid-February. He's not a lock to break camp with San Diego, but he could make the team as a backup first baseman and right-handed DH option.

Freeman (rib) estimated after Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Cubs that he has a "75 percent chance" of being ready to play in Wednesday's series finale in Tokyo, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Freeman was a late scratch from Tuesday's lineup after feeling discomfort in his left ribcage during batting practice. The first baseman noted that the soreness is in the same spot where he tore rib cartilage during the postseason last fall, although he added that the current issue is less severe. While Freeman seems fairly optimistic about his chances of playing Wednesday, it would not be a surprise if the Dodgers exercised caution and elected to hold him out until next week's domestic opener.

Freeman was scratched from the lineup for Tuesday's season opener against the Cubs in Tokyo due to left rib discomfort, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Vassegh notes that Freeman was on the field for batting practice prior to the game and suggests the first baseman might have felt discomfort during batting practice. The timing is brutal, but if there is a silver lining, it's that Freeman's removal from the lineup is not related to the ankle that required surgery in the offseason.

Freeman has been scratched from the lineup for Tuesday's season opener against the Cubs in Tokyo, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

The reason for Freeman's removal was not immediately available. He was brought along slowly in camp after undergoing right ankle surgery in December. Enrique Hernandez will move in to first base, opening up left field for Michael Conforto against left-hander Shota Imanaga.

Goldschmidt was removed from Monday's Grapefruit League contest against the Blue Jays due to a sore back, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Goldschmidt said he's been battling through the injury for a few days. He went 0-for-1 with a walk before exiting. Goldschmidt expressed no concern that the injury might affect his Opening Day availability, so consider him day-to-day. He's produced a 1.077 OPS with three home runs so far this spring.