MLB Player News

Casas (finger) is in the lineup for Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

As expected, Casas will return Thursday after missing a couple days with left fifth finger pain. The swing-and-miss in Casas' game has been prevalent this spring (11 strikeouts in 41 at-bats), but he's done damage when he's put bat to ball with five extra-base hits in exhibition play. The 23-year-old is primed to begin the season as Boston's primary first baseman.

Montero has gone 16-for-51 with four home runs and two doubles during Cactus League action.

Montero has swung the bat well for much of spring, but that's been particularly true of late. He has tallied four multi-hit performances in his last eight contests, and he has gone deep twice in that span. After Nolan Jones was optioned to Triple-A on Monday, Montero's primary competition for the starting job at third base appears to be Mike Moustakas.

Kirilloff (wrist) will begin the season on the injured list, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

We're barely more than a week away from Opening Day and Kirilloff still hasn't played in a Grapefruit League game, so this news doesn't come as a surprise. The good news is that he has been participating in some minor-league contests lately and has been taking live batting practice for a while. Kirilloff's stint on the injured list seems like it has the potential to be a relatively short one, but we'll have to wait and see how he progresses in the coming days and weeks. The Twins are expected to utilize multiple players at first base while Kirilloff is sidelined, with Jose Miranda, Joey Gallo and Donovan Solano among those in the mix.

Dixon has been scratched from the lineup for Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Reds due to an illness.

He was scheduled to start at third base and hit sixth, but the Padres will now turn to Matthew Batten to man the hot corner. Dixon should be considered day-to-day moving forward.

Casas (finger) is slated to return to the Red Sox' Grapefruit League lineup Thursday versus the Pirates, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Casas had to be scratched from Tuesday's lineup and will remain out Wednesday due to a left pinkie injury he suffered while catching a medicine ball in the weight room, but he'll be back in there Thursday. The young first baseman has clubbed a pair of home runs this spring while putting up a .952 OPS.

Goldschmidt hit .280 (7-for-25) with a home run, a double, five RBI and eight runs scored over seven games for Team USA at the World Baseball Classic.

While the Americans lost to Japan in Tuesday's final, Goldschmidt was a steady presence throughout the tournament. He'll now have about a week to get integrated back with the Cardinals as he puts the finishing touches on his preparation for the regular season. After slashing .317/.404/.578 with 35 homers, 115 RBI, 106 runs scored, seven stolen bases and 41 doubles last year, the first baseman remains a strong fantasy player entering his age-35 campaign.

The Royals optioned Pratto to Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday.

Pratto was a solid contributor in Cactus League play before his demotion, producing a .313/.378/.438 slash over 37 plate appearances. The 24-year-old will get regular playing time at Omaha, and a strong start to his campaign in the minors could earn him a promotion over the summer, if not sooner.

Padlo was reassigned to minor-league camp by the Angels on Tuesday.

Padlo was signed in December as a non-roster invitee. The infielder has seen MLB action with four different clubs, but he has gone just 5-for-46 in his chances with those teams. He'll be a depth option with Triple-A Salt Lake, assuming he stays in the organization.

Singleton was reassigned Tuesday to the minor-league side of Brewers camp, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Singleton was released by the Brewers back in January before re-signing with the club on a minor-league pact a few weeks later. He hasn't appeared in a game at the major-league level since all the way back in 2015.

Arias has hit .350 (14-for-40) with three doubles, three RBI, 10 runs scored and four stolen bases across 15 Cactus League games.

Tyler Freeman was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Tuesday, paving the way for Arias to serve as the Guardians' main utility man off the bench. Arias' bat has certainly earned him the chance to start the season at the major-league level, and his contact-and-speed approach fits well with the team. The 23-year-old slashed .191/.321/.319 with three extra-base hits and a stolen base in a 16-game sample last season.