MLB Player News

McCutchen (illness) is starting as Pittsburgh's designated hitter Saturday against the Tigers, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

McCutchen was a late scratch from Thursday's lineup because of his illness, but he appears to have recovered in time for Saturday's game. McCutchen has played in just two games this spring, recording two hits in five at-bats, including a home run.

Alvarez was removed from Friday's Grapefruit League game due to an allergic reaction in his left eye, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Alvarez fouled a ball off his right foot during his lone at-bat Friday and left the game shortly afterward, but it appears his removal was due to an unrelated issue. Manager Joe Espada said Alvarez's eye won't require any extra medical attention, and the 26-year-old slugger should still be ready to go for Opening Day.

Alvarez left Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies early after fouling a ball off his right foot, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Alvarez initially remained in the game to finish his at-bat in the first inning but was replaced in left field by Jacob Melton to begin the second. Alvarez didn't appear to be in much pain as he walked back into the clubhouse, so his removal may only be precautionary.

McCutchen was scratched from the Pirates' Grapefruit League lineup Thursday due to illness, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

The veteran slugger should be ready to rejoin the lineup in a day or two. Billy McKinney entered the starting nine at designated hitter in McCutchen's place.

Baker has gone 7-for-32 with four RBI, 11 strikeouts and three walks over 16 Grapefruit League games.

Baker struck out a 31.3 percent rate over 99 plate appearances toward the tail end of 2023. The 27-year-old has a strong power profile after slugging 33 home runs over 84 contests with Triple-A Memphis, but there's no clear path to a starting job in the majors with Paul Goldschmidt locked in at first base and Nolan Gorman likely to be the designated hitter. In terms of a competition for a bench role, Alec Burleson's strong spring and his ability to be an option in the outfield put him comfortably ahead of Baker or any number of other options to back up at first base.

Vientos went 1-for-3 with a walk, a solo home run and a second run scored in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.

The 24-year-old took Dylan Coleman deep in the eighth inning, giving Vientos his third long ball of the spring in 12 games. His .206 batting average (7-for-34) is less impressive though, and his 2:8 BB:K indicates that he still needs to work on the contact issues that led to a .211/.253/.367 slash line over 233 big-league plate appearances in 2023. The Mets are hoping Vientos can step into a larger role this season and give them consistent production from the DH spot while providing a platoon partner at third base for Brett Baty, but he still has a lot to prove.

Bell went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals.

The veteran first baseman hasn't made a lot of contact this spring, but when he has it's been loud. Bell is batting .200 (5-for-25) through 10 games with a 2:6 BB:K, but four of the hits have gone for extra bases with three doubles and a homer. After posting a .270/.338/.480 slash line over 53 contests for the Marlins in 2023 following a trade from the Guardians, Bell will try to do enough to establish a long-term spot in the Miami lineup -- since leaving the Pirates after the 2020 campaign, he's played for four different teams over the last three seasons.

Turner went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates.

The veteran slugger got hold of a Roansy Contreras offering in the first inning and launched it down the left-field line for his first homer of the spring. Turner is batting .333 (8-for-24) in Grapefruit League action with a 5:4 BB:K, and the 39-year-old is showing no signs of slowing down as he gets ready for his first season in a Blue Jays uniform.

Turner went 3-for-3 with two RBI in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.

New York didn't send its A-listers to Dunedin for the contest -- Turner's singles came off Dennis Santana, Duane Underwood and Clayton Andrews -- but it was still a nice performance from the 39-year-old slugger. Turner is batting .333 (7-for-21) through 10 spring contests with a 5:4 BB:K, although his only extra-base hit so far is a double. He's expected to spend most of the season as the Blue Jays' DH while hitting in the heart of the order.

The Mets are among the teams discussing a contract with Martinez, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Signing Martinez would result in a 110 percent luxury tax penalty for the Mets, but owner Steve Cohen has "given the go-ahead to seriously discuss" signing the designated hitter, per Heyman. Heyman also says the interest is mutual, although the Angels and Marlins appear to still be in the running for Martinez, too. Mark Vientos is currently projected to be the Mets' DH.