MLB Player News

Smith went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and an RBI triple in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals.

Getting the start at first base and batting third, Smith appeared to be locked in at the plate, and Deesha Thosar of The New York Daily News reports the 26-year-old attributes his early spring success to the work he put in this offseason on his swing. Smith studied the mechanics and approach of Hall of Fame talents like David Ortiz, Miguel Cabrera and Mike Trout, and he now feels more balanced at the plate and is staying back on pitches better. With that in mind, it's noteworthy Saturday's homer went to the opposite field off right-handed Josiah Gray, giving Smith some immediate validation that his work is paying off. Robinson Cano is the favorite to open the season as the Mets' designated hitter, but a big spring from Smith could allow him to muscle his way into the picture.

Freeman could make his first appearance in a Cactus League game for the Dodgers early next week, possibly as soon as Tuesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Freeman signed a six-year contract with Los Angeles on Wednesday, and it shouldn't take him long to get on the field for the first time with his new club. The All-Star first baseman figures to have plenty of opportunity to put up big numbers again this season hitting in the heart of the order for a stacked Dodgers lineup.

Cooper looks likely to lose playing time after the Marlins' reported signing of Jorge Soler.

Cooper looked like a lineup regular a day ago, but with the addition of Soler, the veteran has been pushed down the depth chart. Cooper now becomes part of a crowded Miami bench where he will compete for at-bats throughout the year.

Pratto went 2-for-2 with a two-run home run in Friday's 5-5 tie against the Rangers.

Pratto is one of the Royals' top prospects, and he's off to a good start in spring training. The first baseman slashed .259/.367/.634 with 21 home runs, 55 RBI, 54 runs scored and five stolen bases in 63 games after a midseason promotion to Triple-A Omaha last year. Much of the focus in Kansas City is on top overall prospect Bobby Witt, but Pratto's call to the big leagues could also come in 2022. He's got great power, but he also struck out at a 28.5 percent clip last year at the Triple-A level.

Rivas (finger) is starting Saturday's Cactus League game against the Padres, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

Rivas missed the final few weeks of the 2021 season after he tore a tendon in his right middle finger in late September, but he completed his rehab in December and had a relatively normal offseason. He'll start at first base and bat fifth against San Diego.

Torkelson went 1-for-2 with a double and a run scored in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

Torkelson started at first base, which is where he's worked extensively so far in camp. The 22-year-old top prospect has a very real chance to make the Tigers' Opening Day roster. If that happens, Torkelson will likely be the primary first baseman, with Miguel Cabrera serving as the DH and Jonathan Schoop handling the keystone.

Clemens went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

The 25-year-old doesn't have the buzz of Spencer Torkelson or Riley Greene, but after spending most of 2021 with Triple-A Toledo, Clemens could push his way toward the majors this year after being added to the 40-man roster in November. He only batted .247 with the Mud Hens last season, though he did blast 18 home runs in 97 games.

Dalbec went 1-for-2 with a three-run home run in Friday's spring contest against the Rays.

That's two homers in two games for Dalbec, who served as the first baseman after being the designated hitter Thursday. Thus far in four spring at-bats, he's left the yard twice and struck out twice. The Red Sox added Travis Shaw on a minor-league deal Friday, giving the team some insurance against the hitting woes Dalbec experienced in 2021. While he looks comfortable at the plate to begin the spring, he also mashed last spring training then went on to hit .240 with a 34.4 percent strikeout rate during the regular season.

Smith revealed Friday that he played through a partially torn labrum in his right shoulder for most of last season and also dealt with wrist and groin issues, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

Smith's slash line dropped from .316/.377/.616 in 2020 to .244/.304/.363 in 2021. His strikeout and walk rates remained very similar, but his barrel rate plummeted from 13.3 percent to 6.5 percent, which sure looks like a player who just couldn't hit the ball as hard as he used to. For those wanting to dream on a bounceback season for Smith, though, it's worth noting that he had an even lower 6.0 percent barrel rate in 2019, his apparent breakout season. In that context, it's his excellent form in the 60-game 2020 campaign that looks like the outlier.

Raley was acquired by the Rays from the Dodgers on Friday in exchange for minor-league pitcher Tanner Dodson, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Raley made his big-league debut for the Dodgers last season and had a .538 OPS in 72 plate appearances, and he'll now joined the Rays after being traded for third time in his career. He'll compete for a depth role in the outfield behind Tampa Bay's established group of Randy Arozarena, Kevin Kiermaier, Manuel Margot and Austin Meadows, with top prospect Josh Lowe also waiting in the wings.