MLB Player News

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.

Freeman (hamstring) is starting at designated hitter and batting second Saturday against the White Sox, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

As expected, Freeman will make his return to the lineup after exiting Tuesday's World Baseball Classic game for Team Canada with hamstring tightness. It's good to see that this injury wasn't a strain. Freeman should be a full-go for the start of the regular season.

Olson went 2-for-3 with two home runs and three RBI in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox.

Both blasts came off Tanner Houck -- Olson crushed a solo shot to left-center field in the first inning before pulling a massive blast out of the ballpark entirely in the fifth for a two-run shot. The first baseman appears more than ready for Opening Day, hitting .444 (12-for-27) this spring with five homers and two doubles. He has drawn only one walk, but given how well he's been seeing the ball, it's hard to blame him for swinging away.

Dalbec will make his fourth consecutive start at shortstop Saturday, Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe reports.

Dalbec is producing this spring but doesn't have an everyday home on the diamond. When a player goes 11-for-34 (.324) with three doubles, two triples and a home run, a manager will try to find spots. Dalbec has experience at first and third base and played some shortstop before. "Bobby's a great athlete," manager Alex Cora told Abraham. "He understands what he can do with his body and his internal clock is great. Off-balance throws, double plays... he understands the game and he's a good defender." The biggest question about Dalbec is if he can hit enough to maintain a steady role in the regular season. Over the last two seasons, Dalbec hit a combined .229 over 250 games.

O'Hearn (knee) is starting at first base and batting sixth Saturday against the Red Sox.

He missed a week with knee soreness but an MRI came back clean and this won't impact O'Hearn's ability to get a fair look at a roster spot as a non-roster invitee. O'Hearn is hitting .474 with one home run, three strikeouts and three walks in 19 at-bats this spring.

Abreu has gone 8-for-31 (.258) with two home runs and three doubles during Cactus League action.

Per Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle, Abreu asked managed Dusty Baker to give him plenty of playing time this spring, and the skipper has obliged. As a result, the veteran first baseman looks just about ready for Opening Day. Abreu posted a .304/.378/.446 line across 679 plate appearances in 2022 and will be entering his first campaign not in a White Sox uniform.

Aranda has three extra-base hits and three walks across 17 plate appearances in Grapefruit League action.

Aranda is in competition for a bench spot on the Rays' Opening Day roster, and he's made a solid case with his performance this spring. In addition to a .924 OPS, he's struck out only four times. Aranda struggled in limited playing time during his MLB debut in 2022, posting a .192/.276/.321 line across 87 plate appearances.

Ellis was released Friday by the Mariners, Corey Brock of The Athletic reports.

Ellis was likely to provide Triple-A depth for the Mariners, but he now will be looking for a new organization. The 27-year-old went 1-for-3 in a one-game promotion with Seattle last year and has a career .482 OPS over 100 career plate appearances in his time with the Diamondbacks and Seattle.

Votto will play deeper into spring games as the Cactus League progresses, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Votto was able to make his spring debut Sunday, and the Reds have understandably monitored his reps as he is returning from a torn rotator cuff and left biceps injury that ended his 2022 season prematurely. The former MVP should be ready for Opening Day, and likely will see most of his playing time as the starting first baseman for the Reds.

Noda is hitting .161 (5-for-31) with three doubles, one home run, four RBI, eight walks, a stolen base and five runs over 15 Cactus League games.

The Rule 5 pickup is being given a long look by the Athletics in spring training, and the results have been somewhat mixed. While the .161 batting average leaves plenty to be desired, four of Noda's five hits have gone for extra bases, and his eight walks are a positive. However, the 26-year-old has also struck out 17 times in his 39 plate appearances, an extension of the sub-par contact rates he's generated through the majority of a minor-league career that dates back to 2017. Noda does offer some welcome defensive versatility in addition to his power -- he has experience at first base and all three outfield spots -- so a rebuilding squad such as Oakland could potentially see value in keeping him on the Opening Day roster.