MLB Player News

Torkelson said he's been seeing the ball well during spring drills, and the top prospect could push for an Opening Day roster spot, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Torkelson, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 first-year player draft, made it all the way up to Triple-A in 2021, and he posted a solid .881 OPS across 40 games with Toledo. The Tigers will most likely get Torkelson a little more seasoning in the minors to begin the 2022 season, though the 22-year-old could force the issue if he gets off to a hot start.

Kirilloff (wrist) isn't expected to face any limitations to begin spring training, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Kirilloff underwent surgery on his right wrist in late July, and he was unavailable for the final few months of the 2021 campaign. However, manager Rocco Baldelli said that the 24-year-old looked good swinging a bat after reporting to spring training Friday. Baldelli indicated Kirilloff wouldn't have participated in activities if the team had any remaining medical concerns, so he should be ready to play once the Twins begin spring training games next week.

Torkelson said Saturday in an interview with Evan Petzold of The Detroit Free Press that he's nearly recovered from the sprained ankle he sustained during the Arizona Fall League.

Torkelson's ankle injury resulted in an early end to his stint in the AFL, but he's since remained in the desert to rehab the ankle and take part in offseason workouts at his alma mater, Arizona State. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 first-year player draft looks like he still has a couple minor hurdles to clear in his recovery from the injury, but he's on pace to be a full participant in workouts when the Tigers begin spring training. Expect the slugging corner infielder to open the 2022 campaign at Triple-A Toledo, where he posted an .881 OPS and 13.5 percent walk rate over 177 plate appearances last season following his mid-August promotion from Double-A Erie.

Blandino signed a minor-league contract with the Giants on Friday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Blandino was granted free agency by the Reds in early November, and he'll land a minor-league deal with San Francisco just over a month later. He made 43 appearances in the majors last year and hit .200 with nine runs, five RBI and a stolen base. The 29-year-old will be invited to big-league spring training in 2022.

Singleton signed a minor-league contract with the Brewers on Thursday.

Singleton appeared in 114 major-league games in 2014 and 2015, struggling to a .171/.290/.331 slash line. He's been out of affiliated baseball since 2017, though he did appear in 46 games for the Diablos Rojos del Mexico in the Mexican League in 2021, hitting .321/.503/.693 with 15 homers.

Tellez agreed to a one-year, $1.94 million contract with the Brewers to avoid arbitration Tuesday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Tellez struggled to begin the season in Toronto but turned things around after being shipped to Milwaukee, where he hit .272/.333/.481 with seven home runs, 28 RBI and 22 runs in 174 plate appearances. The 26-year-old should enter spring training as the favorite to start at first base, barring any offseason additions.

Gittens was recently released by the Yankees and will play in Japan next season, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

While Gittens, 27, never got a fair shake to see if his game translated against big-league pitching, he possessed as much power as any hitter in the upper levels of the minors. He hit .301/.440/.644 with 14 home runs and a .342 ISO in 45 games at Triple-A last season.

Calhoun signed a contract with the Rangers on Sunday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Calhoun's $9 million team option was declined by the Diamondbacks in early November after he slashed .235/.297/.373 with five homers, 17 runs and 17 RBI across 51 appearances last year. Although he dealt with hamstring issues in 2021, he'll likely be in the mix for a starting role in 2022.

Pratto was added to Kansas City's 40-man roster Friday.

Pratto dominated at Double-A and closed the year by hitting .259/.367/.634 with 21 home runs in 63 games at Triple-A. He is nearing his big-league debut and profiles as the Royals' first baseman of the future.

Clemens had his contract selected by the Tigers on Friday.

The move to the 40-man roster protect Clemens from being selected during the upcoming Rule 5 draft. The 25-year-old spent last season at Triple-A Toledo and hit .247/.312/.778 with 18 homers, 59 RBI and 66 runs in 97 games. He figures to be in big-league camp for spring training.