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.

The Dodgers designated Beaty for assignment Wednesday.

The transaction clears room on the 40-man roster for the newly-signed Hanser Alberto, who effectively replaces Beaty as a utility option off the bench. Though consistent playing time was often difficult to come by for Beaty on a stacked Dodgers roster over the past three seasons, he should face an easier path to earning reps at his next stop, as he's a prime candidate to be traded or claimed off waivers now that he's in DFA limbo. The lefty-hitting Beaty has been particularly effective against opposite-handed pitching; over 493 career plate appearances versus righties, Beaty has slashed .267/.339/.440 (109 wRC+).

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.

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.

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."

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.