MLB Player News

Santana (knee) is starting at first base and batting cleanup in Sunday's spring game versus the Orioles.

Santana exited Thursday's Grapefruit League game with left knee discomfort, but he's back in the lineup Sunday after requiring only a couple days off. The veteran slugger had a .692 OPS in 131 games last year, and he is expected to split playing time between first base and designated hitter with Ji-Man Choi this season.

Calhoun is playing first base and hitting sixth for Saturday's Cactus League contest against the Guardians, Corey Brock of The Athletic reports.

As Brock notes, Calhoun has not played first base in an MLB game since 2015 when he was with the Angels. The veteran outfielder is trying to win a spot on the Seattle bench after signing as a non-roster invitee this winter, and the ability to play multiple positions would go a long way toward achieving that goal.

Cronenworth hit a two-run home run Saturday in a Cactus League victory over the Brewers.

Cronenworth blasted a shot off Jake Cousins with a runner on in the fifth inning. It's the infielder's second homer of the spring season, and he's knocked in seven runs. On top of that production, Cronenworth has hit a commendable .412/.487/.735 in Arizona, and he looks like a strong candidate to bounce back from his disappointing 2022 campaign.

Freeman went 2-for-2 with a walk in Saturday's spring game against the White Sox.

Freeman was removed after three plate appearances, but that was to be expected. It was the first game back for the first baseman after he left Tuesday's World Baseball Classic game for Team Canada with tightness in his hamstring. There's no reason to think that Freeman won't be ready for the regular season, and his next step should be playing in the field sometime soon.

Kirilloff (wrist) played four innings at first base Saturday and went 0-for-2 in a minor-league game, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Kirilloff continues to make progress as he ramps up following surgery last August to shorten the ulnar bone in his right wrist and clean up scar tissue. His return to game action is a significant step and gives hope he'll be ready for the start of the regular season. Kirilloff has a minor-league option remaining, so the Twins could have him report to Triple-A St. Paul to begin the season in order to continue his ramp-up process rather than stashing him on the injured list if he needs more time.

Manzardo was reassigned to minor-league camp by the Rays on Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Manzardo was strong in his time in camp with the Rays, with a .280/.357/.600 slash along with two home runs over 28 plate appearances. Considered among the top prospects at the first base position, Manzardo will start 2023 in the upper levels -- possibly with Triple-A Durham -- and has a realistic path to playing for the Rays in 2023.

Mervis finished the World Baseball Classic 1-for-13 with a walk while playing for Team Israel.

Mervis faced some stiff MLB-level competition in a pool that featured the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Venezuela, so the struggles aren't too surprising. The 24-year-old is expected to begin the season at Triple-A Iowa, though he likely isn't that far away from his debut in the majors. Mervis had an OPS north of .900 at both Double-A and Triple-A in 2022 and could make a fantasy impact if he sees regular playing time for the Cubs at any point.

White Sox manager Pedro Grifol told reporters Saturday that Vaughn is going to be out a few more days with lower back soreness, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Vaughn has been out of the lineup with what has been described as "general soreness," but Grifol offered more specifics Saturday. It sounds like the White Sox are taking precautions with the right-handed hitter, but it's obviously a situation to monitor for managers who have rostered or are considering a draft pick on the 24-year-old.

Walker (hip) is starting at first base and batting cleanup Saturday against the Guardians.

He was removed from Monday's game after a hit-by-pitch and took a few days to get right, but the injury was apparently quite minor. Walker should be Arizona's everyday first baseman this season.

Voit's opt-out clause has been pushed to Friday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

There is apparently mutual interest in things working out with Voit in Milwaukee, which is why he did not exercise his opt-out clause this week. The Brewers will look to find a way to add him to the 40-man roster before next weekend, but even if Voit makes the team, he is unlikely to start against righties, with Rowdy Tellez at first base and Jesse Winker presumably getting most of his starts at designated hitter.