MLB Player News

Mountcastle went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run and two runs scored in a loss to the Red Sox on Saturday.

Mountcastle hit the first of three homers off Chris Sale with a two-run shot in the first inning. He also singled and came around to score on a double by Anthony Santander. It's a strong start to the season for Mountcastle, who is going to get plenty of RBI chances hitting behind Adley Rutschman to open the year.

Votto (shoulder) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville on Saturday.

Votto entered spring behind schedule as he worked his way back from August shoulder surgery. He evidently wasn't behind by a large margin, as he seemingly has a chance to return from the injured list when first eligible.

Flores will be on the bench Saturday against the Yankees.

Flores got the start at third base in the season opener, going 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout. David Villar gets the start at the hot corner in the second game of the year.

Cronenworth and the Padres agreed to a seven-year, $80 million extension Friday, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

Cronenworth's contract won't start until 2024. Lin notes that the infielder has already passed his physical, and the deal is expected to be announced Saturday. The infielder struggled to a .239/.332/.390 slash in 2022, but he did hit 17 homers and drive in 88 runs while making the All-Star team for the second time in his career. Cronenworth should remain an everyday player for at least the next few years while seeing time at several defensive spots.

Cooper went 3-for-4 with a triple in Friday's 2-1 win over the Mets.

His three-bagger could easily have been ruled an error on Starling Marte, as the outfielder saw the ball glance off the tip of his glove and trickle into the right-field corner. Cooper's had a great start to the season, going 4-for-8 with a home run during Thursday's opener in addition to Friday's triple, and he should be a staple in the heart of the Marlins' order this season while splitting time between first base and DH.

Alonso went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 2-1 loss to the Marlins.

All three runs in the game came on solo shots, with Alonso launching his first long ball of the season in the ninth inning off A.J. Puk. The slugging first baseman hit 40 homers in 2022 and is up to 147 through 532 games in his big-league career, and given that he already has a 53-homer campaign on his resume, it's not out of the question the 28-year-old will be chasing 200 late in the season.

White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said Vaughn is merely resting Friday night against the Astros, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Vaughn dealt with minor back tightness toward the end of spring training and the White Sox don't want to push him too hard out of the gate. He should be a regular presence at first base throughout the 2023 campaign, health permitting. Gavin Sheets is covering first and batting sixth Friday at Houston.

Vaughn is not in the White Sox starting lineup Friday against the Astros.

Gavin Sheets, a left-handed hitter, will start at first base and bat sixth against Houston right-hander Cristian Javier. The right-handed-hitting Vaughn will ride the pine, with Eloy Jimenez serving as the DH and cleanup man. Vaughn should be Chicago's primary first baseman throughout the 2023 season, but he might sit here and there versus tougher righties.

Manzardo is opening the year at Triple-A Durham, MLB.com reports.

While Manzardo is widely considered to be one of the best hitters in the minors, the Rays had cover to send him back to Double-A for a month or two since he only played 30 games there last season, but they didn't mess around with this assignment. Manzardo's Triple-A teammate Curtis Mead is on the 40-man roster already and likely ahead in the promotion hierarchy, but it's possible Manzardo kicks the door down sometime this summer.

The Tigers acquired Paulson from the Rays in exchange for cash considerations Friday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

It's the second time he's been traded, as Paulson also went from the Dodgers to the Rays back in December of 2020 as part of a three-team deal which sent Jose Alvarado to the Phillies. The 25-year-old Paulson hasn't played much the last two seasons due to an ACL tear.