MLB Player News

Batten (calf) resumed a running program Wednesday, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Batten has yet to appear in a Cactus League game because of a strained calf, but he seems to be making progress. The 27-year-old would seem to have enough time to get ready for Opening Day if he can keep moving in the right direction, although he's likely to start the year in the minors, anyway.

Votto (shoulder/biceps) said Wednesday that he remains without a timetable for when he'll be able to return to game action, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. "I want to make sure when I come back, I come back ready," Votto said. "It's not more complicated than that."

The first baseman noted that he's been making good progress and is feeling good while he works his way back from August surgery to repair his left bicep along with a torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder. Votto is expected to miss at least the first half of the Reds' Cactus League slate, and even if he's able to play in exhibition games in the second half of March, he could still require a brief stint on the injured list to begin the season.

Casas went 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI in Tuesday's spring game against the Marlins.

The lefty-hitting Casas did all of his damage against left-handed pitching. The Red Sox's top-ranked prospect, per RotoWire, will be Boston's primary first baseman in 2023 against pitchers of either hand. He may sit against tough lefties, but Casas should get plenty of at-bats and is a potential Rookie of the Year candidate.

Gurriel (knee) could still be an option for the Marlins if he's willing to accept a minor-league contract, according to Craig Mish and Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.

Gurriel was said to be a target of the Marlins back in January, but he remains a free agent with spring training now fully underway. At last check in mid-February, the veteran first baseman was still holding out for a guaranteed major-league deal. He posted a rough .242/.288/.360 batting line over 146 games (584 plate appearances) with the Astros during the 2022 regular season and then suffered a sprained MCL in his right knee in Game 5 of the World Series. There doesn't seem to be a whole lot of present momentum toward Gurriel finding a new home.

Smith (quad) checked out fine after getting hit by a pitch in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Smith was struck on the outside of his right quad, just above the knee, but he walked off the field under his own power and said that he would have fought to stay in the game had it been the regular season. All is well for the Nationals' projected starting first baseman.

Smith exited Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals after taking a pitch off his foot, Andrew Goldstein of the Washington Post reports.

Smith walked off the field without any assistance, so his early departure was hopefully just a precautionary measure. There were some heated words exchanged between the Nationals and Cardinals following the HBP, so it might have also been simply about quelling any bad blood. Smith signed a one-year, $2 million contract with Washington over the winter and is expected to operate as the Nats' primary first baseman in 2023.

Steer committed a throwing error and mishandled another ground ball that was ultimately ruled a hit in Sunday's spring training game, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Steer is trying to win the Reds' third base job this spring and is the presumptive favorite, but it'll bear watching his defense given that he hasn't been a full-time third baseman in the minors.

Hoskins has been cleared for full baseball activities after he underwent surgery to repair the meniscus in his right knee during mid-December, though he won't make his Grapefruit League debut until Friday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

The Phillies didn't announce the surgery until reporters asked about Hoskins not playing in spring games this weekend, but there currently doesn't appear to be any cause for concern about his delayed appearance in the Grapefruit League. Assuming the 29-year-old takes the field Friday, he'll have over three weeks' worth of exhibition games to get up to speed ahead of Opening Day.

Flores (personal) reported to the Giants' spring training facility in Arizona on Sunday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Flores spent the past few days with his family following the birth of his son Thursday, but he's now in camp having missed minimal time. The 31-year-old had a .229/.316/.394 slash line with 19 home runs in 602 plate appearances last season, and he shouldn't have any issues being ready in time for Opening Day.

Guerrero went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates.

Facing Pittsburgh closer David Bednar in the fourth inning, Guerrero annihilated a hanging curve up in the zone and lined it deep to left-center field. The 23-year-old slugger didn't ascend to superstardom last season as many predicted, but it speaks to his upside that an .819 OPS with 32 homers and 97 RBI was considered a bit of a disappointment. Don't be surprised if he rebounds to something closer to his breakout 2021 campaign.