Atlanta Braves vs. Houston Astros - News - March 03, 2023

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Bryce Elder - Making bid for rotation spotElder gave up one hit and struck out three over three scoreless innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.

ImpactFacing a Houston lineup that contained the likes of Jose Altuve, Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman, Elder fared much better than he had in his first spring start. The 23-year-old righty is very much in the mix for an Opening Day rotation spot, and he might even be the favorite at the moment with Mike Soroka (hamstring) still having trouble staying healthy and Ian Anderson scuffling so far in camp.

MARCH 4, 2023•ROTOWIRE

Lefty Will Smith agrees to $1.5M, 1-year deal with Rangers

Left-handed reliever Will Smith agreed to a $1.5 million, one-year contract with the Texas Rangers and will report to spring training

MARCH 4, 2023•ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ozzie Albies - Playing second base SaturdayAlbies (shoulder) will start at second base and bat fifth in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

ImpactAlbies spent the first week or so of camp serving as the designated hitter following a clean-up procedure on his right shoulder in October. He's now ready to test the shoulder in the field and should be in the clear for Opening Day, barring a setback. Between a fractured foot and a broken pinky finger, Albies was limited to just 64 games and three stolen bases last season. He said he plans to do more running with the new rules in place for 2023.

MARCH 4, 2023•ROTOWIRE

Justin Dirden - Impressing teamDirden has impressed manager Dusty Baker with his performance early in spring training, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

ImpactDirden has earned a substantial amount of playing time so far, and he's taken advantage by crushing two home runs across eight plate appearances. He's a 25-year-old prospect that reached Triple-A Sugar Land by the close of the 2022 season, though he struggled to a .242/.305/.398 slash line while striking out at a 28.2 percent clip across 142 plate appearances. Dirden is unlikely to earn a roster spot with the Astros out of spring training barring an injury to one of Houston's regulars, but he could make his big-league debut at some point in 2023.

MARCH 4, 2023•ROTOWIRE

'Really crisp' Elder makes statement in rotation bidWEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- It didn’t take long for Bryce Elder to put his rough Spring Training debut in the rearview mirror. Elder, who is in...

MARCH 3, 2023•MLB.COM

Feeling 'awesome,' Bregman ready to regain superstar formWEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- At this time last year, Dusty Baker admits, the Astros weren’t quite sure what they could expect out of Alex Bregma...

MARCH 3, 2023•MLB.COM

David O'Brien: Braves' fifth-starter candidate Bryce Elder's... - The AthleticBraves' fifth-starter candidate Bryce Elder's second spring start went much better than his first: Pitched three innings Friday vs. Astros,...

MARCH 3, 2023•THEATHLETIC.COM

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Atlanta Braves vs. Houston Astros - News: Mar 3, 2023

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Lefty Will Smith agrees to $1.5M, 1-year deal with Rangers