MLB Player News

White will undergo an MRI on his hip Friday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

White tweaked his surgically repaired hip during Thursday's Cactus League game against Cleveland, and his MRI should provide a better idea of the severity. If he's forced to miss any time to begin the season, Luis Torrens and Abraham Toro would likely serve as the primary backups at first base behind starter Ty France.

White tweaked his hip in Thursday's Cactus League matchup against the Guardians, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

White said he hurt his hip early in Thursday's matchup, and the issue bothered him more as the game progressed. The 25-year-old missed most of the 2021 campaign with a hip injury, so the Mariners will likely exercise caution before getting White back onto the field. However, the severity of the issue hasn't yet been revealed.

White was removed from Thursday's Cactus League game against the Guardians with an apparent injury, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

White appeared to be hobbled while running the bases in the top of the seventh inning, and he exited the game shortly after. The nature and severity of the injury aren't yet clear.

Naylor (lower leg) is scheduled to play in a minor-league game Thursday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Thursday's contest will mark Naylor's first game action since June 27, when he suffered a broken right leg in an on-field collision with teammate Ernie Clement. As Bell notes, Naylor has been cleared to play the outfield, but the Guardians are expected to ease him in as a designated hitter for his first game back before gradually allowing him to play defense. Naylor doesn't look like he'll be ready to go for Opening Day, though he shouldn't be in store for an extended stay on the injured list to begin the season.

White made his Cactus League debut Tuesday against the Cubs after completing his recovery from season-ending hip flexor surgery, going 0-for-3 while starting at first base, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

While White's two groundouts and a flyout won't exactly send fantasy managers' pulses racing, it was encouraging for the 25-year-old to simply get back into game action for the first time since May 13. White won a Gold Glove award in 2020 at first base, but given Ty France's emergence there last season, the Mariners are experimenting with the former in the outfield, primarily in left, this spring. Defensive versatility may be critical for White, as he's yet to prove he can hit consistently at the big-league level (career .165/.235/.308 slash line) and manager Scott Servais will clearly prioritize keeping France's bat in the lineup. "We all know what Evan can do defensively -- I put him up against anybody in the league," Servais said. "But in our game, the bat is huge. He continues to work with our hitting guys, and he's going to continue to need to make some adjustments offensively with his swing to get the consistency that he's looking for."

Guerrero agreed to a one-year, $7.9 million contract with the Blue Jays on Tuesday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Guerrero will earn a strong figure in his first year of arbitration eligibility after making about $605,000 during 2021. He'll remain at first base for Toronto this season after breaking out with a 1.002 OPS, 48 homers and 111 RBI last year.

Diaz and the Rays avoided arbitration Tuesday by agreeing to terms on a one-year, $2.8 million deal, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports.

Diaz gets a nice raise in his first year of arbitration eligibility. While the 30-year-old still hasn't developed much power, hitting a modest 13 homers last season, his control of the zone helped him to a 111 wRC+, the product of a .256/.354/.387 slash line.

Naylor (lower leg) and the Guardians agreed Tuesday on a one-year, $1.2 million contract to avoid arbitration, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Naylor is reportedly making good progress in his recovery from July 3 surgery to address fractures and ligament damage in his right leg, but he's not expected to be cleared for Opening Day. Once he completes his rehab program and is able to play a few games in the minor leagues, Naylor should eventually settle into a strong-side platoon role for the Guardians at either corner-outfield spot, first base or designated hitter. Before sustaining the season-ending leg injury, Naylor supplied a .700 OPS in 249 plate appearances for Cleveland in 2021.

O'Hearn signed a one-year, $1.3 million contract with the Royals on Tuesday, avoiding arbitration, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

O'Hearn is expected to serve in a utility role with time at first base, right field and designated hitter in 2022. The 28-year-old posted a mediocre .225/.268/.369 slash line with nine home runs, 29 RBI and 23 runs scored in 84 games last season.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said he's been impressed with Torkelson's defense at first base, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

It appears that Torkelson won't be playing third base anymore and will focus entirely on first. So far, the results have been promising. "First base defense has always been overlooked until you see a good one, and then you see how that can impact an entire infield," Hinch said. While fantasy managers may prefer that Torkelson pick up additional eligibility, they won't complain if his strong play at first helps him make his MLB debut sooner rather than later. The 22-year-old has a decent chance to make the Opening Day roster, but even if he doesn't, he should still see plenty of action in the majors this season.