MLB Player News

Rizzo said Monday that the back stiffness that hampered him throughout last season is no longer bothering him, though he added that he expects to have to manage it during the coming campaign, Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reports.

Rizzo's back issues caused him to miss time in each of the final three months of the regular season last year, though that didn't keep the Yankees from re-signing him to a two-year, $34 million contract in November. The veteran first baseman acknowledged Monday the likelihood of the issue rearing its head again, saying, "I think I'd be crazy to sit here and say I won't have any back issues here." Rizzo added that he used the offseason to focus on helping his back recover and that he's confident that the area can be managed with daily preparation. Yankees manager Aaron Boone voiced the same opinion, stating, "[I]t's really important that he stays on top of his daily routine -- his tedious exercise routine, tedious exercises from a core standpoint that put him in the best position to navigate [the back issue]."

Votto (shoulder) took batting practice on Monday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Votto is expected to miss the first half of the Cactus League season in Arizona as he recovers from surgery to address a torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder. It's obviously a positive sign that the former MVP is able to swing the bat early in the spring season, however, and it stands to reason that he'll be ready to hit in the middle of the Cincinnati order at the start of the 2023 campaign.

Arias will get some playing time in the outfield during spring training, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Arias is a natural shortstop, but Amed Rosario is likely to start there barring injury or an extended slump. Arias saw some time around the infield last season, and adding at least one corner outfield position could give him another path to playing time if the Guardians run into injury trouble. He hit just .191 and struck out 28.1 percent of the time over 57 plate appearances in the majors last season, so it's still possible he begins the year with Triple-A Columbus.

Dalbec will get starts at third base and shortstop during spring training, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Dalbec is a forgotten man on the roster. He opened the last two seasons as Boston's primary first baseman, but that job now belongs to Triston Casas while Justin Turner becomes the right-handed complement against tough lefties. With Boston losing third baseman Rafael Devers and shortstop Enrique Hernandez to the World Baseball Classic, Dalbec will get the bulk of reps at either of those spots. The decision is seen as a potential trade showcase for Dalbec, although his value has never been lower. The Red Sox still believe in him and maintained the 27-year-old on the 40-man roster during an active offseason when many players were jettisoned. That Dalbec's under control through 2026 and can be carried at Triple-A Worcester means the team is not in a hurry to trade him.

Manager David Bell said Sunday that Votto (shoulder) will likely miss the Reds' first handful of Cactus League games while the veteran first baseman begins ramping up, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Votto is on the mend from August surgery to address a torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder, but at this stage of the spring, the Reds are apparently optimistic that he still has sufficient time to complete the ramp-up process before Opening Day. Though Votto should have a near-everyday role at first base waiting for him once fully cleared, he looks to be little more than a low-end fantasy option at the position in light of his age, declining power and bat-to-ball skills along with the fact that he's returning from shoulder surgery. Before the shoulder injury cut short his 2022 campaign, Votto slashed a lowly .205/.319/.370 with a career-worst 25.8 percent strikeout rate in 376 plate appearances.

Casas will share first base with the right-handed hitting Justin Turner, but it will not be a strict platoon, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports. "We'll protect Triston from certain lefties. We'll protect him from the workload," Cora said when asked about the job share.

Cora also noted last season's ankle injury that forced Casas to miss more than two months of development time as a factor in giving the prospect some days off. Casas would have struggle to mightily -- like Bobby Dalbec did in 2022 -- to be dislodged from the position. Turner hasn't played first base since 2015 and has just 25 starts (14 complete games) worth of experience at the position. Turner's primary role will be the designated hitter.

Reds manager David Bell said Monday that Votto's (shoulder) status for spring training is still to be determined, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

The Reds won't know much about the 2010 NL MVP's status until he gets into camp. Votto underwent season-ending surgery in August to repair a torn a torn rotator cuff, and even if he's ready to participate in early festivities, the Reds aren't going to rush him back.

Kirilloff (wrist) enters Twins camp with "no setbacks, no concern," president of baseball operations Derek Falvey told MLB.com's Do-Hyoung Park on Tuesday.

"AK has been in a great spot," said Falvey. "Our strength guys said [the wrist is] probably in as good of a spot as they've seen him coming into camp, where he's at. The early returns on swinging are very positive." Kirilloff needed surgery last August to shorten the ulnar bone in his right wrist and clean up scar tissue, but all signs point to him being a full-go for Opening Day here in 2023.

Singleton signed a minor-league contract with the Brewers on Friday and received an invitation to major-league spring training, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

After being cut by the Brewers roughly two weeks ago, Singleton will rejoin the club as an organizational depth piece. The 31-year-old first baseman recorded an .809 OPS with Triple-A Nashville last year after playing in Mexico in 2021.

Bour announced his retirement from baseball Friday.

Bour hadn't played in the majors since 2019, seeing time in the minors, Japan, Korea and Mexico since then. He had a fine six-year run in the big leagues, though, finishing with a career .794 OPS and three 20-homer seasons.