Hoskins started at first base and went 2-for-3 with a home run and four RBI in Saturday's spring game against San Diego.

EDGE Analysis

Hoskins, who served as the designated hitter in his first four Cactus League appearances, made his first start in the field. His first at-bat was an epic 13-pitch battle with Padres starter Michael King that ended in a strikeout. Two innings later, he took King deep on a first-pitch fastball for his first spring homer, a two-run shot. An inning later, the first baseman singled in another two runs. Until Saturday, Hoskins was having a difficult spring, going 1-for-12 while striking out seven times.

Hoskins served as the designated hitter and went 0-for-2 with a walk in Friday's spring game against the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

Hoskins made his debut in a Guardians uniform Friday and helped spur a rally with his seventh-inning free pass. It looked like he'd struck out a third time on 3-2 pitch leading off the inning, but Hoskins challenged the ruling, and ABS reversed the call for a walk. Cleveland went on to score five times.

Hoskins is expected to serve as the designated hitter in Friday's spring game against the Cubs, pending final check-ins with the team's medical staff, Joe Noga of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hoskins was signed to a minor-league contract last weekend and is expected to be added to the 40-man roster and be part of the Opening Day roster. He and Kyle Manzardo are expected to share first base during the regular season.

Hoskins agreed to a minor-league contract with the Guardians on Sunday that includes an invitation to spring training, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

EDGE Analysis

According to Zack Meisel of The Athletic, the contract will pay Hoskins a base salary of $1.5 million should he make the major-league roster, which seems likely. Hoskins missed extended time last season with a Grade 2 thumb sprain, but he has been above league average by wRC+ every year of his career. He will compete for time at first base and designated hitter with Cleveland.

Hoskins was seen in the Guardians' clubhouse Sunday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The move has not been officially announced, but it's believed to be a minor-league contract with a base salary of $1.5 million if he makes the major-league roster. Hoskins already has his own locker and was even in Guardians gear Sunday, per Zack Meisel of The Athletic. Hoskins slashed .237/.332/.416 with 12 homers and 43 RBI in 90 regular-season games with Milwaukee last season, leading the Brewers to decline his mutual option for 2026.

Hoskins became a free agent Tuesday after his $18 million mutual option for 2026 with the Brewers was declined, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Brewers will pay Hoskins a $4 million buyout instead. Hoskins slashed .223/.314/.418 with 38 home runs over 845 plate appearances during his two seasons in Milwaukee. With Andrew Vaughn's emergence at first base in 2025 and Christian Yelich serving as the primary designated hitter, there was no room for Hoskins on the roster in 2026. Hoskins will turn 33 in March and is a poor defensive first baseman, so he might face a fairly limited free-agent market this offseason.

The Brewers activated Hoskins (thumb) from the 10-day injured list Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Hoskins has missed more than two months of action with a left thumb sprain but is ready to go after slashing .275/.371/.471 with two home runs over 14 rehab games. The 32-year-old is no longer at the top of the Brewers' first-base depth chart following the emergence of Andrew Vaughn, but Hoskins should still see a decent number of starts between first base and designated hitter.

Hoskins (thumb) is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list Tuesday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hoskins has joined the Brewers in Texas for the start of their three-game set against the Rangers but won't officially be back on the active roster until the second game of the series. The 32-year-old slashed .275/.371/.471 with two home runs over 14 contests on his rehab assignment. Hoskins -- who is coming back from a left thumb sprain -- appears likely to be behind Andrew Vaughn on the Brewers' first-base depth chart, but Christian Yelich's ongoing back issues could create a path to at-bats for Hoskins at designated hitter.

Hoskins (thumb) will report to Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday to begin a rehab assignment.

EDGE Analysis

Hoskins progressed to on-field hitting and defensive work last week, and after he experienced no setbacks in his recovery from a Grade 2 left thumb sprain while increasing his activity, the Brewers gave him the green light to play minor-league games. Given that he's been on the shelf since July 7, Hoskins will likely stay on assignment with Nashville at least through the weekend to stockpile at-bats and regain his timing at the plate. Prior to getting hurt, Hoskins had been serving as the Brewers' everyday first baseman, but he may have to settle for more of a part-time role upon his return while Andrew Vaughn (.920 OPS since the All-Star break) has thrived as his primary replacement in the Milwaukee lineup.

The Brewers announced Tuesday that Hoskins (thumb) has progressed to on-field hitting and defensive work, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hoskins remains on track to begin a rehab assignment in late August, just as the Brewers had anticipated when he was initially placed on the injured list July 7 due to a Grade 2 left thumb sprain. Since Hoskins landed on the shelf, Andrew Vaughn has posted a 1.055 OPS through his first 27 games with Milwaukee, and Vaughn's exceptional performance could put Hoskins on the outside looking in for an everyday role at first base when he returns from the 10-day injured list. The right-handed-hitting Hoskins should still have a clear path to playing time at either first base or designated hitter versus left-handed pitching once he's back to full health.