MLB Player News

Cron started at designated hitter and went 1-for-2 with a walk in Thursday's spring game against the Phillies.

Cron made his second start since signing a minor-league deal with the Red Sox and reiterated to Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe that he's beyond the back injury that limited him during 2023. He and Bobby Dalbec are competing as the right-handed complement to Triston Casas at first base. Recently, manager Alex Cora talked about Dalbec getting outfield starts, which potentially signals both players making the roster. Dalbec could become the righty-hitting depth option in the outfield to replace the injured Rob Refsnyder (toe).

Rivas has gone 3-for-26 (.115) over 15 Grapefruit League games.

Rivas' hold on a 40-man roster spot is tenuous at best after being waived by three teams in the offseason. He's stuck around with the Cardinals for a while, but his poor hitting in the spring has left him with little chance of leapfrogging Alec Burleson for a spot as a backup first baseman/outfielder. Rivas hit a poor .229 with a .725 OPS over 48 games between the Pirates and the Padres last season.

Young has gone 2-for-31 (.065) over 15 Grapefruit League games.

Young provides organizational depth at the corner infield and corner outfield spots, but he's yet to get in a groove during spring training. The 28-year-old was claimed off waivers from the Cubs in November. Young's poor hitting in spring will likely mean he begins the year in the minors.

Smith disclosed this week in an interview with Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic that he's dealt with some form of right wrist or hand pain since reaching the majors in 2017.

Smith suffered a displaced fracture of his hamate bone in a Jan. 5 workout and underwent surgery Jan. 20 to remove the bone. The first baseman was diagnosed with tendinitis in the wrist years ago but suspects he might have been dealing with a small fracture all along that just worsened in January. Smith is in Cubs camp as a non-roster invitee and is competing for one of the final bench spots.

Toglia (neck) will start at first base and bat cleanup in Thursday's Cactus League game against the Guardians.

Toglia was scratched from the starting nine ahead of Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks while he dealt with neck stiffness, but the injury doesn't look to be anything that will derail his bid for the Opening Day roster. The 25-year-old corner outfielder/first baseman has made a compelling case to win a bench role with the Rockies this spring, as he's slashing .333/.429/.700 through his first 14 Cactus League games.

Dalbec will soon get starts as an outfielder in spring games, Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Dalbec is competing with C.J. Cron to be the right-handed backup behind Triston Casas at first base and can also play third base. With Rob Refsnyder (toe) set to miss four-to-six weeks, the Red Sox will give Dalbec exposure to the outfield. He doesn't have major-league experience there, but Dalbec did play 36 games in right field for Triple-A Worcester last season. Dalbec, who started at third base Wednesday and went 2-for-4, is 8-for-27 (.296) with a double, a home run and seven RBI over 12 Grapefruit League contests.

Casas went 1-for-3 with a walk, a solo home run and an additional run scored in Wednesday's spring game against the Yankees.

Casas got hold of a Carlos Rodon slider and sent it 421 feet at 109.1 mph. That the blast came off a lefty pitcher is significant, as Casas slashed just .215/.361/.456 against southpaws in 2023. This season, with Justin Turner gone, Casas could get more starts against lefties. The Red Sox have right-handed batters C.J. Cron and Bobby Dalbec competing to back up Casas, and either one could steal those starts if the lefty struggles continue. Casas is 3-for-23 with five walks through nine Grapefruit League games, including 1-for-6 against southpaws.

Montero may be forcing his way into the lineup with his performance this spring, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Montero is projected to be on the Opening Day roster, though his fit in the starting lineup is unclear. He'd likely gain at-bats at designated hitter due to his defensive deficiencies, which would in turn push Charlie Blackmon to the outfield while endangering Sean Bouchard's playing time. Montero has displayed a familiar profile this spring, as he's posted an impressive .333 ISO but is still striking out at a 27 percent clip.

Toglia was scratched from the Rockies' Cactus League lineup for Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks due to neck stiffness, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Toglia should be considered day-to-day. Hunter Goodman will take Toglia's spot in the lineup, playing first base and batting eighth.

Guerrero (knee) will bat third as the designated hitter in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates.

It's uncertain when Guerrero might return to the field, but he'll be able to return to exhibition play and get his at-bats in after making it through a full workout Tuesday. While Guerrero has been in and out of the lineup in recent days due to finger and knee issues, the Blue Jays don't seem to have any serious concern about his availability for Opening Day at this stage. The team didn't order imaging on his left knee.