MLB Player News

Votto (shoulder) is likely going to be delayed at the start of spring training, Reds general manager Nick Krall said Monday.

"Probably not," Krall said when asked of Votto's potential readiness for the beginning of camp. "I think he's going to be a little delayed there. That was expected at the beginning, from when he had surgery, that he wasn't going to be unlimited, full-go at the beginning. We'll just have to see where he comes in and go from there." Additionally, manager David Bell said of Votto's recovery from surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff and torn biceps, that "it's been a tougher rehab than he anticipated." The skipper did note that it still wouldn't surprise him if Votto is ready to go on Opening Day but that more will be known once spring training gets underway. Votto has always been lauded for his work ethic, but he's also a 39-year-old coming off major surgery, so we can't count on him avoiding an injured list stint.

The Brewers designated Singleton for assignment Monday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The move opens up a spot on the 40-man roster for Brian Anderson, whose one-year deal with Milwaukee became official Monday. The 31-year-old Singleton was added to the Brewers' 40-man roster earlier in the offseason after he slashed .219/.375/.434 with 24 home runs in 134 games with Triple-A Nashville in 2022. The former top prospect will hit waivers, and he could elect free agency if he goes unclaimed.

Mervis will "almost certainly" begin the 2023 season at Triple-A Iowa following the Cubs' offseason signings of Eric Hosmer and Trey Mancini, Sahadev Sharma and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic report.

Though Hosmer and Mancini will be due less than $8 million combined in 2023, the Cubs brought the two veterans aboard with the intention of having them see the bulk of the starts at first base and designated hitter, respectively, to begin the campaign. Because Mervis is a left-handed hitter like Hosmer and the righty-hitting Mancini has performed similarly against right- and left-handed pitching during his career, the Cubs wouldn't have a short-side platoon role available for the 24-year-old, who looks like he'll have to wait for an injury or for one of the two incumbents to struggle before he gets his first taste of the majors. While the offseason moves are disappointing development for Mervis investors who were expecting the power-hitting first baseman to claim an Opening Day role on the heels of a breakout season at the upper levels of the minors and a productive run in the Arizona Fall League, his status as an older prospect along with the Cubs' relatively minimal investment in Hosmer and Mancini still bodes well for his chances at getting an extended run in the big leagues at some point in 2023.

Wade signed a one-year, $1.375 million contract with the Giants on Friday to avoid arbitration, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Wade took a major step back in 2022, putting up a .665 OPS while being limited to just 77 games due to knee issues. If healthy, the 29-year-old should bounce back to a certain degree in 2023 while playing a variety of positions.

Cronenworth agreed to a one-year, $4.225 million contract with the Padres on Friday to avoid arbitration, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

It's the first year of arbitration eligibility for the 28-year-old, and he'll receive a massive raise from his pre-arbitration figures. Cronenworth had a .239/.332/.390 slash line with 17 home runs and 88 RBI in 158 games last season, and he's expected to begin 2023 as San Diego's primary first baseman.

Walker signed a one-year, $6.5 million contract with Arizona on Friday to avoid arbitration, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Walker finished 2022 with career highs in home runs (36) and RBI (94), and he recorded his highest OPS since 2019. As a result, the veteran first baseman receives a well-deserved raise from the $2.6 million he made in 2022.

Tellez and the Brewers agreed on a one-year, $4.95 million contract Friday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Tellez and the organization will avoid the arbitration process after coming to an agreement Friday. The first baseman struggled to hit for average in 2022, batting a career-low .219, but he did produce a career-high 35 homers, 89 RBI, 67 runs and two stolen bases. The 27-year-old will likely have an everyday role with Milwaukee in 2023, whether it's at the cold corner or at designated hitter.

Hoskins agreed to a one-year, $12 million contract with the Phillies on Friday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Hoskins is entering his final year of arbitration eligibility and will receive a sizable raise from his $7.7 million salary in 2022. The 29-year-old had a .246/.332/.462 slash line with 30 home runs and 79 RBI last season.

Hiura agreed to a one-year, $2.2 million contract with the Brewers on Friday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

It's Hiura's first year of arbitration eligibility, and he'll receive a nice raise from his pre-arbitration salary over the past few years. The 26-year-old had a .226/.316/.449 slash line with 14 home runs and a 41.7 percent strikeout rate in 80 games last season, and he's likely to open 2023 in a bench role.

Cooper agreed to a one-year, $4.2 million contract with the Marlins on Friday to avoid arbitration, Craig Mish of SportsGrid.com reports.

Cooper played a career-high 119 games last season and had a .261/.337/.415 slash line with nine home runs and 50 RBI. The 32-year-old should be Miami's Opening Day starter at first base and is entering his final year before free agency.