MLB Player News

Olson went 2-for-2 with a two-run home run in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox.

He smashed a Kaleb Ort pitch off the top of the wall in right-center field in the third inning, but perhaps more encouraging for his 2023 fantasy value was his first at-bat, in which he snuck a grounder through the right side of the infield that almost certainly would have resulted in an out under the old shift rules. Olson had a .338 wOBA last season against the shift versus a .370 mark when he wasn't hitting into one, offering hope he could see his .240 batting average from 2022 rise somewhat significantly.

Alonso went 3-for-3 with a solo home run and a second run scored in Saturday's split-squad game against the Marlins.

The slugging first baseman got an early start to his spring as he gears up for the World Baseball Classic, but Alonso already appeared to be in midseason form Saturday when he crushed a Braxton Garrett offering over the wall in center field in the second inning. Alonso launched 40 homers in 2022 -- the second time in his four-year MLB career he's reached that mark -- with a career-high 131 RBI, and he figures to be a major source of power again this season while hitting in the heart of a potent Mets lineup.

Dalbec went 2-for-2 with a double, a two-run home run and a second run scored in Saturday's spring game against Atlanta.

Dalbec's had explosive springs that were followed by disappointing results in the regular season, but he talked to Ian Browne of MLB.com about new swing mechanics implemented over the winter. "I spent this offseason just getting that pole-to-pole juice back without having to try too hard," he said. "My swing has way less effort and is way more fluid. That was a big thing I was focusing on." Both of Dalbec's extra-base hits went to right field. He doesn't have a starting job, but a consistently hitting Dalbec could jump ahead of Justin Turner as a the right-handed complement to Triston Casas at first base.

Kirilloff (wrist) is one of many players Twins manager Rocco Baldelli plans to use at first base this season, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

"We don't have a first baseman," Baldelli said. "We have several guys that are going to play first base. We don't need one guy that's going to play first base." Kirilloff was expected to see the lion's share of starts at the position as long as he's healthy though, and the 25-year-old is optimistic about his recovery from right wrist surgery last August. However, Donovan Solano, Nick Gordon, Jose Miranda and Joey Gallo could also see playing time there. The Twins are also expected to have a turnstile in the designated hitter spot, with all of the aforementioned players and others in the mix, and that approach could impact the playing-time picture at first base.

Flores remains away from Giants camp as he awaits the birth of his child, Evan Webeck of the San Jose Mercury News reports.

Flores is not on Team Venezuela's roster for the upcoming World Baseball Classic, so this situation carries less urgency than some others. He'll have most of March to get up to speed in Cactus League games as he prepares to again serve as an active utility infielder for San Francisco.

Calhoun signed a minor-league contract Thursday with the Mariners, Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports 710 AM reports.

Calhoun is already at camp in Arizona and will try to win a spot on the Mariners' Opening Day roster. But the 35-year-old faces an uphill battle in that regard after slashing just .196/.257/.330 over 424 plate appearances with the Rangers in 2022. Texas declined a $5.5 million club option on him back in November.

Kirilloff (wrist) said Thursday he has yet to be cleared for live batting practice but has been swinging in the batting cage and hitting off pitching machines without issue, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Kirilloff had a second surgery on his right wrist last August to shorten the ulnar bone and clean up scar tissue but said he's "really optimistic" about how the wrist feels. It's not clear when he'll be cleared for Grapefruit League action, but Kirilloff is tracking toward being ready for Opening Day. He's expected to serve as Minnesota's regular first baseman.

Solano agreed to a one-year deal on Tuesday with Minnesota, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Solano spent the 2022 campaign with the Reds after spending the three previous seasons with the Giants, and the 35-year-old slashed .284/.339/.385 with four homers and 24 RBI over 304 plate appearances. The right-handed-hitting infielder has shown the ability to hit for average with a .301 clip over the last four seasons, but he's homered just 18 times over 316 games in that timeframe while stealing just two bases. Solano should be a utility option for the Twins that sees time all over the infield, particularly against left-handed pitching, but he profiles as a one-category player for the 2023 season.

Diaz is expected to play a lot of first base this season, Rays manager Kevin Cash told Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network on Monday.

Diaz has plenty of experience at the position, although he played a lot more third base (102 games) than first base (17 games) last season. With Ji-Man Choi no longer in the picture, Diaz is now projected to play first base more. While Isaac Paredes figures to have first dibs at third base, he'll face competition from Jonathan Aranda.

Voit signed a minor-league contract with the Brewers on Tuesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Voit is coming off a season for the Padres and Nationals in which he posted a .226/.308/.402 batting line with 22 home runs and 69 RBI. He'll give the Brew Crew another option at designated hitter and first base and would figure to be part of the Opening Day roster, barring any surprises. Voit turned 32 last week.