MLB Player News

Blandino is attempting to become a pitcher, Fernando Rayo of 8 Deportivo reports.

Blandino is expected to report to Double-A Chattanooga for the start of the season, as he didn't secure an invitation to big-league spring training when inking his MiLB deal in November. He's appeared in five major-league contests as a pitcher and has featured a knuckleball during his brief experience on the bump.

Aranda could be in line to serve in a strong-side platoon at designated hitter for the Rays, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

It sounds as if Aranda is the top candidate to step into the role vacated by Luke Raley as the DH versus righties and occasional first baseman. A trade of Harold Ramirez, which seems likely, could further clarify Aranda's role. Aranda has posted just a .656 OPS over 190 plate appearances during his limited chances at the major-league level, but the 25-year-old sports a .328/.421/.565 batting line with 43 home runs over the last two seasons at Triple-A Durham. Even if the left-handed batter sits regularly against southpaws, he boasts big fantasy potential.

Votto feels better physically than he has in years following rehab and strength training since the end of the season, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Votto has been limited to a total of 156 games over the last two seasons due to shoulder issues, slashing just .204/.317/.394 during the time. He ended the 2023 season healthy, though, and it sounds like he's continued the progression this offseason. Votto remains a free agent but is committed to playing in 2024 in what will be his age-40 season.

Lowe signed a one-year, $7.5 million contract with the Rangers on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Lowe's .850 OPS in 2022 looks to be an outlier after he posted a .774 OPS last season, but he's settled in as a strong contributor in runs and RBI while swatting high-teens homers. He earned over a $3 million raise in his second year of arbitration eligibility and will remain under team control through the 2026 campaign.

Mountcastle signed a one-year, $4.1 million deal with the Orioles on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Mountcastle has developed into a steady player, posting a slugging percentage above .450 in three of his four big-league seasons. He may lose some playing time in 2024 due to the depth in the Orioles' lineup, but he projects to regularly serve as the team's designated hitter or first baseman.

Naylor signed a one-year, $6.6 million deal with the Guardians on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Naylor has improved across each of the last three seasons, and he posted an impressive .308/.354/.489 line across 495 plate appearances in 2023. He could sit occasionally against lefties, but he otherwise should be locked in as Cleveland's primary first baseman in 2024.

Kirilloff (shoulder) agreed to a one-year, $1.35 million contract with the Twins on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Kirilloff had minor offseason shoulder surgery and is expected to be ready for spring training. He should be in line for at least the strong side of a platoon in 2024, but Kirilloff has averaged just 64 games per season since he debuted in 2021, so durability is the primary concern for the 26-year-old.

Alonso signed a one-year, $20.5 million contract with the Mets on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Alonso is in the final year of arbitration eligibility and saw his salary jump $6 million from 2023. He's proven to be one of the most consistent power producers across five full seasons in the majors, reaching 40 homers in each of the last two campaigns and three times overall. Assuming he and the Mets don't agree to an extension, Alonso will hit free agency next offseason.

The Diamondbacks and Walker avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $10.9 million contract Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

It's a nice raise for the first baseman in what was his final year of arbitration eligibility. Walker struggled in the postseason for Arizona but had another terrific regular season, slugging 30-plus home runs for the second year in a row while reaching the 100-RBI mark for the first time.

France signed a one-year, $6.775 million contract with the Mariners on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

France receives a $2.675 million salary increase after slashing .250/.337/.366 with 12 home runs and 58 RBI last season -- his worst numbers since joining the Mariners in 2020. He remains in position to serve as Seattle's everyday first baseman, but he will need to bounce back at the plate in order to reattain his former fantasy value.