MLB Player News

Lewis went 2-for-2 with two doubles and three RBI in Friday's spring game against the Rockies.

Lewis leads the Diamondbacks with nine RBI in the Cactus League after getting a late start due to leg issues. He's looking to nail down a fifth outfield spot with Pavin Smith also in the mix. Each have posted results worthy of making the roster, but the decision likely comes down to which one manager Torey Lovullo thinks he'll use the most. From that perspective, Lewis' right-handed bat might give him an edge in an outfield that has three lefty-batters at the top of the depth chart.

Vogelbach has gone 6-for-23 in Grapefruit League play with zero home runs and a 0:10 BB:K through eight appearances.

The 30-year-old posted a solid .829 OPS in 183 plate appearances with the Mets last season after being acquired from the Pirates, and Vogelbach heads into 2023 expected to fill the strong side of a platoon at DH. His spring numbers aren't encouraging, but his career .238/.364/.458 slash line against right-handed pitching with 61 homers in roughly two full seasons worth of plate appearances offers a better glimpse at his likely production.

Blackmon (back) will not return to the Rockies' lineup before the end of the weekend, Danielle Allentuck of The Denver Gazette reports.

Blackmon has already missed a week of action with back soreness and won't return for at least a few more days. There's been no indication that his readiness for Opening Day could be in doubt, so a return at some point next week seems likely.

Alvarez (hand) will take batting practice on the field Friday for the first time this spring, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Alvarez has been hitting in the batting cage without issue for several days and is ready to test his sore hand out on the field. Assuming things go well, he should be ready to play in games soon. There's been no indication from the Astros yet that Alvarez could be in danger of not being ready for Opening Day, but the window for the slugger to get ready is closing.

Turner (face) will take batting practice on the field Friday and could return to Grapefruit League action Monday if all goes well, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

It had been suggested Turner could return to games over the weekend, but it appears that timeline has been pushed back a tad. He'll have missed two weeks of action if he returns Monday following a hit-by-pitch to the face that required 16 stitches. Turner should be fine for Opening Day.

Harper (elbow) hit soft toss Thursday in Phillies camp, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

It's another step forward for Harper, who had been limited to tee work since he arrived at the Phillies' spring training complex earlier this month. On the mend from Tommy John and ulnar nerve transposition surgery, the 30-year-old slugger is expected to be ready to return at DH for the reigning NL champs just prior to the All-Star break, so he still has plenty of rehab work ahead of him.

Buxton played in a minor-league game Thursday in Twins camp, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

It was the first live action of the spring for Buxton, who has been brought along slowly by design after yet another injury-plagued campaign in 2022. The dynamic 29-year-old outfielder currently carries a clean bill of health and is hoping to show improved durability in 2023. When healthy last year, he delivered a strong .833 OPS with 28 home runs and six stolen bases in 92 games.

McCutchen was sidelined Thursday in Pirates camp due to minor right elbow soreness, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

It's not believed to be anything serious, but Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said the team will "take it very slow with Andrew." He'll probably spend the weekend getting rest and treatment before a reevaluation of the situation early next week.

Ozuna went 2-for-3 with a walk, a double, two runs scored and four RBI in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

The veteran slugger banged out his fourth two-bagger of the spring against Cristopher Sanchez as part of a four-run first inning. Ozuna is now hitting .321 (9-for-28) in camp, and while he's still looking for his first homer, he at least appears ready for Opening Day. The 32-year-old is looking to rebound from a rough 2022 campaign that saw him slash just .226/.274/.413, and he could offer some late-round power production this season.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Turner (face) is scheduled to take batting practice Friday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Assuming Turner is able to track the ball well during his upcoming BP session, he could be cleared to rejoin the Red Sox's Grapefruit League lineup as soon as Saturday or Sunday for what would be his first game action since he exited a March 6 contest after being struck in the face by a pitch. Turner was fortunate to avoid a concussion or any facial fractures, but he required 16 stitches to seal a laceration on his face and also experienced significant swelling. The Red Sox will likely ease Turner back into the spring lineup at designated hitter before having him play third base.