MLB Player News

Choi (knee) acknowledged Monday that he's unsure if he'll be available for the Rays' April 1 season opener versus the Marlins, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Choi expects to glean more clarity on his status for Opening Day when the Rays re-evaluate him this weekend or early next week after he completes a 7-to-10-day shutdown period. The Rays are hopeful that the time off will help resolve the ongoing right knee soreness/tightness that Choi has been managing this spring, but if not, the 29-year-old will be a candidate for the 10-day injured list. Choi's potential absence to begin the season would open up more reps at first base and/or designated hitter for Yandy Diaz, Austin Meadows and Yoshi Tsutsugo.

Alvarez made his Grapefruit League debut Sunday and went 0-for-3 in a game against Washington.

As expected, Alvarez slotted in at designated hitter while batting fifth in the order. Issues with both knees slowed Alvarez's introduction to game action and will likely limit him to DH-only duties in 2021. He missed all but two games in 2020, but Alvarez was productive in a mostly-DH role in 2019, when he won Rookie of the Year honors after posting a 1.067 OPS with 27 home runs over 369 plate appearances.

Rooker went 3-for-3 with a double in Sunday's spring training win over Boston. He's hitting .400 (6-for-15) with a home run this spring.

Rooker is competing for a bench role this spring. He could begin the season in a platoon in right field if the Twins send Alex Kirilloff to the minors, as he's one of the few right-handed bats among the Twins' outfielders. Rooker is showing he's healthy after his 2020 season ended in mid-September due to a fractured right forearm that required surgery.

Ohtani pitched 2.1 innings against the White Sox in a Cactus League contest Saturday, allowing five runs on six hits and one walk while striking out four.

Ohtani looked good in the first frame, allowing one hit but striking out two batters. Things fell apart in the second, however, as Ohtani allowed five straight hitters to reach base before being pulled for a reliever. He ended up being charged with five runs in the frame, then came back out for the third inning (modified spring training rules allow such a move to take place) and got two outs before calling it a day. While the right-hander's outing certainly wasn't pretty, the good news is that he emerged from the appearance feeling fine, per Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com, and touched 99 mph with his fastball. Ohtani's ability to throw heat this spring is encouraging given his recent arm issues, and he has now struck out nine batters over four total innings. Fantasy managers looking to invest in Ohtani may be wise to focus more on his velocity and arm strength than the final box score in a meaningless spring training game, though a strong performance his next time out -- currently slated for next Sunday against San Diego -- could help ease concerns about the oft-injured hurler.

Buxton (broken tooth) will start in center field and will bat seventh in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox.

Buxton will rejoin the Twins' spring lineup for the first time in a week after he was sidelined with a cracked tooth that required a root canal. The brief absence shouldn't prevent him from being ready to fill a full-time role in the outfield for the Twins when Opening Day arrives.

Alvarez (knees) will serve as the Astros' designated hitter and will bat fifth in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The 23-year-old slugger will be making his long-awaited spring debut in what marks his first game action since mid-August after a lengthy recovery from bilateral arthroscopic knee surgery. Per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com, manager Dusty Baker said he expects Alvarez to receive only 2-to-3 plate appearances Sunday before checking out of the contest, but the 2019 American League Rookie of the Year should be able to play a full game by the time the Astros' Grapefruit League slate concludes. Given Alvarez's past knee issues, the Astros are expected to limit his defensive work throughout the spring, and if he does get on the field, he'll most likely play first base rather than the corner outfield. Because he played exclusively as a DH in his brief 2020 campaign, Alvarez may not carry eligibility in the outfield in certain fantasy leagues.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Saturday that Choi (knee) will be shut down for 7-to-10 days, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Choi has dealt with right knee soreness throughout most of spring training and was checked out by a team doctor Saturday. Cash reiterated that he isn't overly concerned about the injury, but he said that the team should have a better idea after his week of rest as to whether his absence will affect his availability for Opening Day.

Choi is dealing with soreness in his right knee again, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Choi was bothered by a sore right knee earlier in camp, and it appears that is an issue again. The Rays "are not overly concerned" about Choi, according to manager Kevin Cash, but he will be checked out by a team doctor Saturday and an update on his status figures to be released after that.

Alvarez (knee) is scheduled to start at designated hitter in Sunday's spring game against the Cardinals, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The 23-year-old will make his spring debut after being limited to two games last season and ramping up his rehab work through the first few weeks of camp. Alvarez isn't expected to see any work in the outfield this season due to the knee issues, so he could operate exclusively as a designated hitter.

Jimenez went 2-for-3 with a triple and a solo home run in Thursday's spring game against the Reds.

The two extra-base hits were Jimenez's first of the Cactus League. Chicago's starting left fielder is 5-for-19 with three runs scored through seven spring games. Jimenez has established himself has one of the game's best sluggers and could put up monster counting numbers in 2021, the first year he'll have a chance to play a full 162-game schedule at the MLB level.