MLB Player News

Cronenworth (groin) is starting at second base and batting cleanup in Wednesday's game against the Angels.

The 28-year-old had been dealing with a groin injury this spring, but he'll make his debut Wednesday. Cronenworth had a strong season in 2021, hitting 21 home runs and driving in 71 runs while slashing .266/.340./.460. He will look to build on his All-Star campaign in 2022 on a Padres team that's set to contend for a pennant in the National League.

Smith agreed to a one-year, $3.95 million contract with the Mets on Tuesday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Smith struggled through 2021 with a .667 OPS in 145 games while playing through a partially torn labrum in his right shoulder in addition groin and wrist issues, but it appears he's back at full strength entering this season, which is his second year of arbitration eligibility. The implementation of the designated hitter to the National League should be a boost for the 26-year-old, but Robinson Cano is expected to open the year as the primary option at the position.

Walker signed a one-year, $2.6 million contract with Arizona on Tuesday to avoid arbitration, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports.

Walker and the team agreed on a salary figure and won't require an arbiter for his first year of arbitration eligibility. The 30-year-old struggled with a .697 OPS in 445 plate apperances last season, and he comes into 2022 having tweaked his swing path during the offseason in an attempt to get back on track.

Bell signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Nationals on Tuesday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Bell is entering his final year of arbitration eligibility and will receive a bump in pay after making $6.35 million in 2021. The 29-year-old rebounded last season after a rough 2020 and slashed .261/.347/.476 with 27 home runs, 75 runs and 88 RBI in 144 games.

Solano left Tuesday's game against the Dodgers after a pitch hit him in the side, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

The exact nature of Solano's injury is unclear. If he suffered nothing worse than a bruise, he should be able to return to game action soon.

Alonso signed a one-year, $7.4 million contract with the Mets on Tuesday, avoiding arbitration, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

In two of the last three seasons, Alonso has earned more from his $1 million prize for winning the Home Run Derby than he did from his pre-arbitration salary, but he'll finally get paid something a little closer to his true value. He's coming off a season in which he struck out a career-low 19.9 percent of the time en route to a .262/.344/.519 slash line, clearing the fence 37 times. He should anchor an improved Mets lineup again in the upcoming campaign.

Cooper signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Marlins on Tuesday, avoiding arbitration, Craig Mish of SportsGrid.com reports.

Cooper hit a strong .284/.380/.465 last season in 250 plate appearances but again faces questions about his playing time after the Marlins brought in Jorge Soler as their primary designated hitter.

Voit and the Padres avoided arbitration Tuesday by agreeing to a one-year, $5.45 million deal, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports.

The 31-year-old will remain under team control through the end of the 2024 season, as he didn't debut until his age-26 season and didn't become a full-time player until two years later. He should fill a major role at the heart of the Padres' lineup this season for as long as he can remain healthy, primarily serving as the designated hitter while potentially taking over for Eric Hosmer at first base against lefties.

Hoskins and the Phillies agreed Tuesday on a one-year, $7.7 million contract to avoid arbitration, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Hoskins will receive just shy of a $3 million salary increase coming off a 2021 season in which he slashed .247/.334/.530 with 27 home runs, 71 RBI, 64 runs and three stolen bases over 443 plate appearances. His season ended in late August after he required core-muscle surgery, but Hoskins appears to be back to full strength at spring training.

Wade went 2-for-2 with a solo home run, a double and two total runs scored in Saturday's 8-5 win over the Rockies.

Wade became a key part of the Giants' offense last season with 18 home runs, 56 RBI and 52 runs scored in 109 games. He also slashed .253/.326/.482 across 381 plate appearances. Manager Gabe Kapler often deploys platoons around the diamond, and Wade is likely to see the strong side of one in right field this season. He's also able to play in the other two outfield positions and at first base, but he probably won't be an everyday option since he hit just .135 in 37 at-bats versus lefties last year.