MLB Player News

The Indians will pick up the $12 million team option on Santana's contract for next season, Jon Heyman of Today's Knuckleball reports.

Santana hit just .192 in the postseason for the Indians, but he also set career regular-season bests in 2016 with 34 home runs, 87 RBI and an .864 OPS, so the Indians did not have to think long about bringing him back for another year. Santana split his time between first base and the designated hitter spot in 2016 and figures to do the same next year.

The Phillies announced Thursday that they have declined the 2017 team option on Howard's contract, MLB.com's Todd Zolecki reports, and he is now a free agent.

Howard hit 25 home runs in 2016 for the seventh time in his career, but he also hit just .196 and would have been due $23 million had the Phillies picked up his option, so there was not much of a decision for them to make. Howard has not announced any intention to hang up the cleats, so he will likely look for a job elsewhere. At this stage of his career, however, he is likely looking at a reserve job wherever he lands.

Wilkins was outrighted to Triple-A Colorado Springs on Friday.

The 28-year-old was left off the Brewers' expanded September roster after going 3-for-24 with 10 strikeouts in 26 games between July and August. Wilkins is now off the 40-man roster and seems like a lock to open 2017 as depth in the minor leagues.

Santana is the starting left fielder for the Indians on Friday in Game 3 of the World Series, Jerry Crasnick of ESPN reports.

There was wide speculation that Santana would play in the outfield in an effort to keep his bat in the lineup, and the Indians did just that. He'll slot into the lineup as the leadoff hitter as usual against Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks.

Santana will likely start in left field for Game 3 against the Cubs, Zack Meisel of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

The designated hitter spot is eliminated with the series moving back to Chicago, so the team is attempting to find a creative way to keep him in the lineup. The official lineup will be released on gameday, but Santana should be in it somewhere around the diamond to keep their best offensive lineup.

Cron underwent an arthroscopic procedure to address a left thumb impingement Tuesday.

Cron was apparently experiencing some pain at the base of his thumb, although it's unclear how and when the injury presented itself. The first baseman is expected to be cleared for full activity in 6-to-8 weeks, which should keep him from missing any time during spring training.

The Indians are considering Santana as a potential option in left field for the World Series games at Wrigley Field, FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports.

He worked out at that position Monday, and if the Indians think he can be somewhat competent out there then it would allow their top offensive lineup to be deployed, even without the DH available in National League parks. Look for Santana to play DH or first base in the first two World Series games at home.

The Angels announced that Calhoun will undergo surgery Tuesday to repair a bilateral core muscle injury.

The origin of Calhoun's setback is uncertain, as he was not held out of any late-season action -- other than for the birth of his child -- and actually had his best month of the season in September. No matter, he will need 6-to-8 weeks tor recover from Tuesday's procedure. The Angels expect him to resume his "normal offseason training regime" following his recovery period, and barring any setbacks, he is expected to be back at 100 percent when spring training begins next February.

Solano declined his assignment and elected free agency Monday.

Solano had been outrighted off the major league roster to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre earlier in the day, but he'll elect to try his luck on the open market rather than head back to the minors. The 28-year-old hit .227 in nine major league games this year and just .189 in 2015, so he may end up back in the minors wherever he lands.

Cabrera (knee) will not need to undergo surgery to address a strained patellar tendon, Adam Rubin of ESPN.com reports.

Cabrera was slowed at the end of the year by the knee ailment -- though it didn't force him to miss any significant playing time -- and went for an evaluation Monday to determine how to proceed. The shortstop will apparently be able to avoid going under the knife and has elected to attempt to rehab over the offseason in an attempt to get back to full health in time for the start of spring training.