MLB Player News

Hoskins (abdomen) took at-bats off Phillies ace Aaron Nola during live batting practice Wednesday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Hoskins' involvement in live BP likely signals that he's made a full recovery from the core-muscle surgery he underwent in late August. The procedure resulted in Hoskins concluding his second straight season on the injured list, but he at least provided strong power numbers when he was available (27 home runs, 71 RBI over 443 plate appearances). Having now turned in four straight seasons with OPS marks between .818 and .887, Hoskins seems unlikely to reach the great heights he hit as a rookie in 2017, but he remains a key cog in a solid Phillies lineup that added Kyle Schwarber this offseason and returns reigning NL MVP Bryce Harper.

Washington manager Dave Martinez confirmed Wednesday that Bell is preparing to be the team's everyday first baseman in 2022, Matt Weyrich of NBC Sports Washington reports.

Once the news came through earlier in the offseason that MLB was implementing a universal designated hitter, Bell was viewed as a potential candidate for that role, but he'll end up sticking at his familiar first base position after Washington signed Nelson Cruz over the weekend. Bell also picked up six starts in the outfield in 2021 (five in left, one in right), but Martinez suggested that the 29-year-old won't focus on any corner-outfield work this spring. After coming over in a trade from Pittsburgh last winter, Bell enjoyed a productive first season in D.C. He reached base at a .347 clip, trimmed his strikeout rate to 17.8 percent and mashed 52 extra-base hits (including 27 home runs) over 568 plate appearances.

Cooper is expected to have a regular spot in the Marlins lineup this season, splitting time between first base and DH, Jordan McPherson of The Miami Herald reports.

Last season, the National League didn't feature the DH, and as a result, Cooper ended up seeing significant action in right field as manager Don Mattingly attempted to get his bat into the lineup. That experiment ended in July when he injured his left (non-throwing) elbow and was shut down for the season, but Cooper is healthy to begin spring training; however, with the DH available again, his defensive duties will be far more limited in 2022. The 31-year-old has a career .282/.354/.453 slash line through 887 plate appearances in the majors, and he could have surprising fantasy value with consistent playing time.

Cronenworth has been dealing with a groin muscle issue in camp and has yet to join the Padres' full-squad workouts, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Despite the injury, Cronenworth has been participating in baseball activity before and after workouts with the club, and the Padres feel confident that he will be ready to go for the start of the campaign. The 28-year-old is expected to work as San Diego's everyday second baseman this season following a strong 2021 campaign during which he slashed .266/.340/.460 with 21 homers, 71 RBI and 94 runs scored.

Rizzo agreed to a contract with the Yankees on Tuesday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

It's a two-year deal worth $32 million that includes an opt out after the first year, per Rogers, as Rizzo will return to the Yankees after being acquired from the Cubs ahead of the 2021 trade deadline. New York was also in the mix to sign Freddie Freeman but will instead bring back a familiar face. Rizzo hit .248/.344/.440 with 22 home runs and 61 RBI in 141 total games last year, and he'll be back with the Yankees for at least one full season.

Olson signed an eight-year, $168 million extension with Atlanta on Tuesday.

Atlanta seemed unwilling to pay the market rate to bring back franchise icon Freddie Freeman, but they're evidently willing to pay top dollar to keep Olson in town through 2029 after acquiring him from Oakland in exchange for four prospects Monday. Olson is 4.5 years younger than Freeman and is in a similar tier of elite talents at first base. Last season was a breakout year for him, at least in terms of making contact, as his 16.8 percent strikeout rate was nearly 10 percentage points lower than the career 26.1 percent mark he carried into the season. He didn't sacrifice any power to get there, homering 39 times, and he could easily push for his first 40-homer campaign this season now that he's no longer calling the pitcher-friendly Oakland Coliseum home.

White (hip) has been operating at full strength since reporting to optional workouts ahead of spring training on Friday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

White saw his 2021 season cut short after only 30 games, logging his last action of the campaign on May 13. The 25-year-old eventually underwent hip surgery in July, which did give him a head start on his recovery. White was taking part in baseball activities by early November, so the news that he's apparently headed for a restriction-free camp isn't necessarily surprising.

Naylor said Monday that he's "close to 100 percent, if not 100 percent" in his recovery from the surgery he underwent July 3 to address multiple fractures and ligament tearing in his lower right leg, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.

Naylor has been taking batting practice in the early days of the Guardians' big-league camp and looks like he'll soon add all other activities to his training regimen in the coming days. The Guardians will likely wait and see how he progresses over the next few weeks before determining whether Naylor will be ready to go for Opening Day, but he looks to be trending in the right direction. Before sustaining the season-ending injury, Naylor logged 249 plate appearances for Cleveland and hit .253 with seven home runs, 28 runs and 21 RBI.

Atlanta acquired Olson from the Athletics on Monday in exchange for outfielder Cristian Pache, catcher Shea Langeliers and pitching prospects Joey Estes and Ryan Cusick, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Just minutes before Passan's report, Buster Olney of ESPN relayed that the Yankees and Dodgers were moving aggressively to acquire Olson, but the rebuilding Athletics apparently found Atlanta's offer the most enticing. The addition of Olson fills a major hole at first base for Atlanta, which had been vacant since longtime franchise cornerstone Freddie Freeman hit free agency earlier in the winter. The move likely confirms that Freeman will be playing elsewhere in 2022, but Olson is about as high quality of a replacement as Atlanta could have found. Not only did the 27-year-old get on base at a .371 clip while mashing a career-high 37 home runs in 2021, but the two-time Gold Glove winner also offered premium defense at first base. With the move from Oakland to Atlanta, Olson not only finds himself in a better lineup, but he'll also benefit from the change in his home park.

Alonso said that he was involved in a "brutal" car accident Sunday, but he escaped without any injuries and plans to resume working out with the Mets on Tuesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Alonso was present at camp one day after the accident, telling reporters that he feels thankful to survive after his car flipped over three times. Fortunately, it sounds like no other individuals were hurt in the accident. The 27-year-old enters his fourth MLB season entrenched as the Mets' everyday first baseman and will be looking to build on a 2021 campaign in which he slashed .262/.344/.519 with 37 home runs, 94 RBI, 81 runs and three stolen bases.