MLB Player News

Gurriel (knee) and the Marlins remain in touch on a potential minor-league contract, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Gurriel had been holding out hope of scoring a guaranteed major-league deal, but it's pretty clear by now that such an offer is not coming his way. The 38-year-old first baseman slashed just .242/.288/.360 over 146 regular-season games with the Astros in 2022 before suffering a sprained right MCL in Game 5 of the World Series. He should be recovered from that injury at this point and still rates as a solid defensive player, but Gurriel doesn't offer much offensive upside steering into the 2023 campaign. He'll turn 39 in June.

Guerrero (knee) could be ready to hit in the batting cage by this weekend, Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun reports.

Guerrero continues to receive treatment on his sore right knee and is making steady progress each day. The injury is considered minor, but the Blue Jays will take things slowly with their star first baseman. Guerrero figures to be ready to return to Grapefruit League play by next week and has plenty of time to get tuned up by Opening Day.

Pratto has gone 5-for-12 across five Cactus League games.

Pratto started off a little slowly, but he posted four hits over the last two games, including his second double of the spring in Sunday's contest against the Giants. Pratto needs a strong spring to begin the year in the majors -- he was surpassed by Vinnie Pasquantino on the depth chart at first base a year ago, and it's expected catchers MJ Melendez and Salvador Perez will share the bulk of the time at designated hitter when they're not behind the dish. Pratto slashed just .184/.271/.386 with seven home runs, nine doubles and 20 RBI across 182 plate appearances as a rookie last season.

Olson went 2-for-3 with a home run, two runs scored and three RBI in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.

The first baseman crushed a two-run shot to right field in the first inning off Carlos Rodon, his second homer in as many days and third in five contests. Olson's gone 8-for-12 in total to begin his spring, and while he's never been known as an asset in the batting average category, MLB's new limits on shifting could help the 28-year-old improve on last year's .240 average without costing him any power.

White (general soreness) started at first base and went 0-for-2 in the Mariners' 6-1 Cactus League win over the Brewers on Sunday.

White logged five innings in the field and took his last at-bat in the sixth as the Mariners eased him back into action following a two-game absence for rest. The 2017 first-round pick will continue his quest for a spot on the Opening Day roster moving forward, but he's hitting just .125 (1-for-8) across four Cactus League contests.

Guerrero (knee) told reporters on Sunday that he's making progress but won't rush back to game action, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Guerrero said that he's thankful that the injury is not worse. The star first baseman wanted to play for the Dominican Republic in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, but he said that the Blue Jays are his priority. The 23-year-old will likely sit out a few more games in the Grapefruit League, but it does appear likely he'll be ready for the start of the regular season.

White (soreness) is hitting sixth and playing first base Sunday in Cactus League action against the Brewers.

White was scratched from the lineup Friday because of general soreness, and the Mariners gave him a couple of days to recover. The infielder is battling for a spot on the Opening Day roster, but the former top prospect is likely ticketed for Triple-A Tacoma to begin the year.

Smith went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.

Stepping to the plate with a runner on base in the sixth inning, Smith hooked a Genesis Cabrera pitch down the right-field line for his first long ball of the spring. The 27-year-old is coming off a rough final season with the Mets that saw him fail to hit a homer in 152 plate appearances, but Smith is just a couple years removed from a .316/.377/.616 slash line during the pandemic season. The 2013 first-round pick will be given every chance in camp to win the starting first base job for the Nationals.

Hoskins (knee) will start at first base in Sunday's spring game, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Hoskins was expected to make his first start of the spring at first base Sunday, and he will indeed do just that. With just under four weeks to go in spring training, expect Hoskins to be back at full speed well in advance of Opening Day.

Goldschmidt (personal) is in the lineup for Sunday's exhibition contest.

Goldschmidt took a couple days to tend to a family matter, but he is back with St. Louis, and he will play first base and hit third for the Cardinals on Sunday.