MLB Player News

Votto (shoulder/biceps) said prior to Saturday's Cactus League game that he could open the 2023 season on the injured list, Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. "I just want to make sure I'm clear: This is a performance-based game," Votto said. "You have to do your job. And I can't come back early, tank and embarrass our organization. I have to come back, perform well and be healthy."

Votto has been able to play for two weeks in the Cactus League after recovering from a torn rotator cuff and left biceps surgery that ended his 2023 season. As Nightengale notes, however, Votto is still in the process of reaching enough at-bats and defensive innings to feel comfortable enough for the beginning of the season. Votto should thus be in line for a short stint on the IL if he isn't cleared to break camp with the big club, but the assumption that he would be ready for the start of the season may have been slightly premature.

Voit opted out of his minor-league contract with the Brewers on Saturday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Hogg termed the transaction as a "procedural matter," suggesting that Voit could still rejoin the Brewers after assessing his options on the open market. By opting out of his deal, Voit will at least be eligible to negotiate with other clubs and see if a better opportunity exists elsewhere. If Voit rejoins Milwaukee on an MLB deal, he could form the short side of a platoon at first base with Rowdy Tellez and also see occasional starts at designated hitter versus right-handed pitching.

Cron will hit against a high velocity pitching machine before Saturday's Cactus League game, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

It's another step in the right direction for Cron, who has missed most of the spring while dealing with back spasms. The slugger also went through workouts Friday before the contest, and he appears to be on the right track towards getting on the field for the Rockies before Opening Day. A trip to the injured list to begin the season cannot be ruled out yet, however.

Vaughn (back) appeared in another minor-league game Saturday and hopes to return to the big-league lineup Monday against the Cubs, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Vaughn has been dealing with lower-back soreness for over a week, but he's trending in the right direction. He served as the designated hitter in Friday's minor-league contest and will play the field Saturday. If he does indeed play Monday and gets through the game without issues, he should be good to go for Opening Day.

Batten was optioned to Triple-A El Paso on Saturday.

Batten was fighting for a bench spot but won't break camp in the big leagues. The 27-year-old hit .105/.227/.158 in 22 MLB plate appearances as a rookie last year but posted an .840 OPS at the Triple-A level.

Alonso went 2-for-3 with a walk, a three-run home run and a stolen base in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays.

His third-inning blast off Luis Patino gave Alonso his fourth homer of the spring, but the steal was his first. The first baseman appears ready for Opening Day, having posted a .286/.394/.714 slash line in 34 plate appearances this spring. Alonso will take aim at his third career 40-homer campaign in 2023.

Guardians manager Terry Francona announced that Arias left Friday's game against the Cubs with a contusion on his right hand, Mandy Bell of MLB.comreports.

Arias was hit in the same hand that he broke in 2022, but he underwent a scan and everything has come back OK according to Francona. The utility player is not scheduled to undergo X-rays just yet, but the team might be waiting for any swelling to go down. For now, Arias should be considered day-to-day.

Arias left Friday's Cactus League game after being hit near his hand by a pitch, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Arias had a broken right hand that sidelined him in 2022, and he is expected to serve as a utility player for the Guardians in 2023. He immediately dropped to the ground after being hit, and looked to be in significant pain. If he ends up landing on the IL to begin the season, Tyler Freeman might be recalled to take Arias' spot on Cleveland's bench.

Casas hit a walkoff homer in the bottom of the ninth to give the Red Sox a 9-8 win over Atlanta in Friday's Grapefruit League game.

Casas smoked a two-run homer off Joe Harvey to give the Red Sox the victory. The 23-year-old has blasted three homers so far in the Grapefruit League, and he's also hitting .360 to show he's more than just a power threat at the plate. Casas is expected to have an everyday role for Boston, and while there may be some ups and downs in his first full season, he offers significant offensive upside.

Voit's removal from the Brewers' Cactus League lineup Friday was not injury-related, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

It seems to have more to do with the pending opt-out clause in Voit's minor-league contract with Milwaukee. The 32-year-old slugger has slashed .316/.333/.526 with two home runs and two doubles over 39 plate appearances this spring in the Cactus League, so he should have other offers out there if the Brewers don't give him an Opening Day roster spot.