Bell, who belted an RBI single Saturday in Montreal, finishes spring training with a .116/.269/.140 line in 15 exhibition games. "I feel ready to go," he told DK Pittsburgh Sports. "It could've come along a lot sooner, but the last week or so, I've gotten the reps I needed to hopefully drive in runs. When I'm on I can hit different pitches to different fields and I feel like I'm there."

EDGE Analysis

He's expected to see the majority of action at first base, but it remains to be seen how patient the Pirates will be if he slumps. There's been talk of shifting Josh Harrison from second base to third, starting Adam Frazier at second and moving David Freese from third base to first on occasion. Of course, if Bell plays the way he did last year then the above scenario doesn't take place.

Bell, who went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts Friday, has two hits in 27 at-bats in Grapefruit League action.

EDGE Analysis

The team is looking for Bell to simply pile up as many at-bats as possible as the switch-hitter got off to a late start following arthroscopic knee surgery in February. Pittsburgh is counting on the 24-year-old to serve as the team's primary first baseman. He could cede some time to John Jaso early on, as Jaso is a better fielder and has had a strong spring, but the first base job is basically Bell's to lose. There also a long-range chance the Bucs move him back to his natural spot in the outfield, but either way he's set for steady playing time.

Bell (knee) made his spring debut Monday, going 0-for-2 with a walk and a strikeout against the Yankees.

EDGE Analysis

While he didn't run the bases much or get a chance to show that his knee is feeling better, he didn't suffer any setbacks. The switch-hitter played five innings at first base and appears on track to start Opening Day.

Bell (knee) will bat third and man first base in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bell was slowed earlier in the spring after requiring arthroscopic surgery in February to remove a loose body in his knee, but after appearing in some simulated games last week, the Pirates have cleared him to make his Grapefruit League debut. Despite his limited at-bats in the big leagues, the 24-year-old already boasts advanced plate discipline, though he hasn't yet showcased the premium power most teams value from their corner infielders.

Bell (knee) has been cleared to run the bases and will begin playing in simulated games in the coming week, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. "He is in the final stages of his preparation for game activity," trainer Todd Tomczyk said.

EDGE Analysis

Bell underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee one month ago. He's been taking grounders and running in straight lines, but the latest news is even more encouraging. "Actually, it's felt great for a couple weeks now," Bell said. "I guess the soreness from the incision points where they scoped into the knee, the soreness there has gone away. I feel as close to 100 percent as I'm going to feel."

Bell (knee) has been cleared for everything except running at full speed, Stephen Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bell has been making gradual improvements throughout spring training after undergoing minor left knee surgery in February. He slashed .273/.368/.406 over 45 games in his rookie season and fully expects to be ready for Opening Day, where he'll form a platoon at first base with David Freese. After facing live pitching Tuesday, the road to recovery looks bright for the young left-hander.

Bell (knee) faced live pitching Tuesday and continues to recover from February surgery. "It's all structurally stable," Bell told DK Pittsburgh Sports. "It's just the incision marks still scarring over. Just from that, waiting for that to heal. But for the most part I feel great. I'm putting the same motions it happened with initially. I'm all cleared there, so I feel good."

EDGE Analysis

Spring training holds special value for Bell, as the former outfielder looks to improve upon his defensive skills at first base. "I'm just trying to get back to that reaction time and first-step quickness," Bell said. "If I can get those reads in, hopefully I can make up for this last week that I missed." He enters 2017 as left-handed batting side of a first base platoon with David Freese. Bell slashed .273/.368/.406 with Pittsburgh in 2016 after compiling a Triple-A line of .295/.382/.468. His ability to read the strike zone is probably his greatest strength, giving him extra value in OBP leagues.

Bell (knee) participated in light baserunning drills Tuesday, Stephen J. Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bell continues to slowly ramp up his activity as he works back from knee surgery earlier in the month. The top prospect was hitting off of a tee and taking part in soft toss drills over the weekend, and the expectation is that he'll be back up to full speed before Opening Day.

Bell (knee) hit off a tee and completed soft toss drills over the past couple of days, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

News broke that the top prospect was progressing steadily through his knee rehab, and this development is consistent with those thoughts. Bell's status for Opening Day is still questionable, but given the fact that he's now moved on to baseball-related activities, it seems to be a bit more realistic that he could be ready for the regular season's beginning.

Pirates head athletic trainer Todd Tomczyk said that Bell (knee) is making good progress toward being cleared to participate in baseball activities, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

The top prospect had knee surgery at the beginning of February, but it seems like he's progressing at a pace that the trainers are happy with. That being said, Bell's status for Opening Day is still up in the air, although things should become clearer once he resumes baseball activities again.