MLB Player News

Votto has been dialed in this spring, hitting .297/.333/.622 with two homers. He's been getting more plate appearances than other regulars on the team, in an attempt to get off to a quick start, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. "He's really committed to getting off to a good start," manager David Bell said. "Just seeing that happen for him, it's just impressive, everything about it."

Despite the teardown of the roster around him, Votto is no less dedicated to his craft. He will get fewer opportunities to compile runs and RBI with presumably lesser players around him in the lineup, however.

Pasquantino went 9-for-23 with two homers, two doubles and 2:7 BB:K this spring, producing a .391/.440/.739 batting line. However, he will be starting the season in Triple-A.

Those stats jump off the page, but that's nothing new for Pasquantino, who crushed to the tune of .300/.394/.563 with 24 homers, 84 RBI and six steals in 116 games across High-A and Double-A last year. Most impressively, he put up a brilliant 64:64 BB:K, reflective of his rare bat-to-ball skills. Incumbent first baseman Carlos Santana is in his decline phase and won't be a huge impediment to Pasquantino's progress to the major-league level, but fellow prospects Nick Pratto and MJ Melendez might be. Either way, if he rakes in Triple-A the way he has everywhere else so far, it's going to be impossible to keep him down for too long.

Tellez went 0-for-3 with two RBI in Monday's spring game.

Monday's contest was a microcosm of Tellez's spring, as he owns just a .233 batting average and .286 OBP over 11 exhibition games but has also recorded two homers, seven RBI and a .753 OPS. Tellez is set to be the Brewers' primary first baseman and will occupy a spot in the middle of the batting order.

Kirilloff (knee) will start in left field and bat seventh in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox.

Kirilloff was out of the lineup for the last two days with minor left knee soreness, but the injury doesn't look like it'll be anything that keeps him from playing when the Twins begin their regular season Thursday versus Seattle. The 24-year-old should be a mainstay in the lineup against right-handed pitching, seeing most of his work in left field, at first base or at designated hitter. Kirilloff showed intriguing potential as a rookie in 2021 with a .722 OPS across 231 plate appearances, but improving upon his elevated 48.8 percent groundball rate will be imperative for him to tap into the sort of power typically associated with a corner player.

Freeman (illness) is starting Monday's Cactus League game against the Angels.

Freeman was scratched from Sunday's lineup due to an illness, but he'll be back in action a day later. His brief absence shouldn't impact his Opening Day availability.

Kirilloff (knee) is expected to return to the Twins' lineup Tuesday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Kirilloff was removed from Saturday's Grapefruit League matchup due to mild left knee soreness, but he should be back in action for Tuesday's spring finale. The 24-year-old should be available for Opening Day against the Mariners on Thursday.

Vaughn (hip) is starting in right field in Monday's Cactus League game against the Cubs, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

The 24-year-old was a late addition to Monday's lineup after AJ Pollock was scratched with a head cold, but it's encouraging that Vaughn has been given clearance to play the outfield late in spring training. Although Vaughn was limited by a right hip pointer late in camp, it appears as though he's now healthy ahead of Opening Day.

Freeman isn't playing in Sunday's exhibition game against the Angels due to what manager Dave Roberts describes as a "24-hour bug," Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Freeman isn't at the stadium for the contest, but he could be back in the lineup Monday. Assuming this is indeed a short-term issue, the star first baseman should be ready to go come Opening Day. Freeman is slashing .333/.368/.500 with a home run and two RBI through 19 spring plate appearances.

Ellis is back with the Diamondbacks in big-league camp Sunday in the wake of Josh Rojas' oblique injury, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Ellis was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Thursday and will make a quick return to major-league spring training with Arizona in need of more infield depth. The 26-year-old is only 2-for-15 with six strikeouts in Cactus League play, but the injury to Rojas could allow him to snap a spot on the Opening Day roster.

Rizzo went 2-for-2 with a home run and an additional run scored Saturday in a Grapefruit League win over the Braves.

Rizzo left the yard for the first time this spring when he belted a solo shot to right field in the third inning. The veteran first baseman has seen action in nine exhibition games, slashing .333/.429/.500 with three RBI and two stolen bases over 28 plate appearances.