MLB Player News
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Freddie Freeman 1B | LAD
Dodgers' Freddie Freeman: Unlikely to play against Mexico
Freeman (hamstring) is unlikely to play Wednesday against Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Freeman was removed from the lineup Tuesday against Colombia because of tightness in his hamstring. The former MVP will likely miss the contest against Mexico, and very well could miss the rest of the World Baseball Classic out of an abundance of caution. There should be further updates on Freeman's status in the coming days.
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Freddie Freeman 1B | LAD
Dodgers' Freddie Freeman: Exits WBC game due to hamstring
Freeman was removed from Team Canada's game Tuesday against Team Colombia with a slight hamstring issue, Jon Morosi of FOX Sports reports.
Freeman could be seen running gingerly to first base on a third-inning flyout and was promptly replaced in Canada's lineup by Denzel Clarke. It didn't seem to be anything overly serious -- he made it to first base and then into the dugout under his own power -- but this could very well end Freeman's run in the World Baseball Classic. Opening Day for the Dodgers is just over two weeks away.
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Anthony Rizzo 1B | NYY
Yankees' Anthony Rizzo: Returns to lineup Tuesday
Rizzo (back) is back in the Yankees' Grapefruit League lineup Tuesday versus the Blue Jays, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.
Rizzo had to be scratched from Sunday's lineup with a back issue, but he took batting practice Monday and is at first base and hitting third Tuesday. The veteran's back has given his problems off and on the last few years and will likely require maintenance days in 2023, but it's not much of a concern right now.
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Garrett Cooper 1B | ATL
Marlins' Garrett Cooper: Swats first spring homer
Cooper went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets.
He took Stephen Nogosek deep in the sixth inning for his first spring homer. The Marlins' recent signing of Yuli Gurriel doesn't really change Cooper's role heading into the regular season, and the 32-year-old is still locked in as the starter at first base. He hasn't quite got his timing down this spring, posting a 1:8 BB:K through 25 plate appearances despite a .333 batting average, but his ability to stay healthy is still his biggest obstacle to consistent fantasy value.
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Ryan O'Hearn 1B | PIT
Orioles' Ryan O'Hearn: Out a few more days
O'Hearn (knee) is feeling better but is expected to miss a few more days of action, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
O'Hearn's right knee remains swollen and is "still pretty sore," Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said. The former Royal has a real shot to make the Opening Day roster, so he can't afford to miss too much more time.
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Ty France 1B | SD
Mariners' Ty France: Solid in Cactus League play
France is hitting .259 (7-for-27) with a double, a solo home run, an additional RBI, two walks, one hit-by-pitch and four runs across 10 Cactus League games.
France enters 2023 looking to build on the career-high 20 home runs and 83 RBI he totaled last season across 140 games, and he's off to a solid start with the bat in Cactus League play. The 28-year-old has also struck out just three times in 30 spring plate appearances overall, certainly an encouraging early sign for his chances of trying to further whittle down what was already a career-low 15.4 percent strikeout rate in 2022.
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Christian Walker 1B | HOU
Diamondbacks' Christian Walker: Removed as precaution
Walker left Monday's game against the Giants after being hit in the left leg by a fastball, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.
Walker was able to remain in the contest immediately after being hit by the pitch, but he was later removed. After the exhibition, manager Torey Lovullo stated that had it been a regular-season game, Walker would've stayed in. He'll be considered day-to-day moving forward but isn't expected to miss any serious time.
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Luke Voit 1B | NYM
Brewers' Luke Voit: Has out clause Thursday
Voit's minor-league contract with the Brewers contains an out clause that he can exercise Thursday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
Voit went 2-for-2 with a walk Monday versus the Reds and is now batting .346/.370/.538 with one home run over 10 Cactus League games. The Brewers surely would like to keep him around, but complicating matters is that Keston Hiura is competing for a similar role and he's out of options. Milwaukee and Voit will have some decisions to make this week.
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Anthony Rizzo 1B | NYY
Yankees' Anthony Rizzo: Takes batting practice Monday
Rizzo (back) took batting practice Monday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
Rizzo has been down for a couple days due to a back injury that has given him trouble off and on for a few years now. He's expected to be fine, though, and could return to Grapefruit League action as soon as Tuesday.
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Matt Beaty 1B | KC
Royals' Matt Beaty: Homers twice Sunday
Beaty went 3-for-3 with two home runs and three RBI in Sunday's Cactus League game versus the Guardians.
Beaty is hitting .409 (9-for-22) across eight Cactus League games. The 29-year-old is in camp on a minor-league contract, so he still has an uphill battle to get onto the Opening Day roster, but he's making a strong case at the plate thus far. He started in left field Sunday and could be an option for the corner infield and corner outfield spots, similar to Hunter Dozier. At this point, it appears Beaty will likely need to prove himself with Triple-A Omaha before potentially getting the call back to the majors. He hit just .093/.170/.163 across 47 plate appearances with the Padres last year.