MLB Player News

Mercedes has a hamate fracture in his left hand and will undergo surgery Monday.

Mercedes is expected to require 6-8 weeks to recover following his procedure, so he'll be forced to begin the season on the injured list and is unlikely to return to game action until at least mid-May. The 29-year-old split time between Triple-A Charlotte and the major-league club last year and will likely spend time in the minors once he's healthy. Andrew Vaughn is in line to serve as Chicago's primary designated hitter to begin the year, but Mercedes should be in the mix to return to the majors at some point in 2022.

Ohtani was officially named the Angels' Opening Day starter Friday, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

In past years, the honor could potentially have gone to offseason addition Noah Syndergaard, but Ohtani is the clear choice following a season in which he struck out 29.3 percent of opposing batters en route to a 3.18 ERA. He'll face the Astros at home to open the season April 7 and then likely the Rangers in Texas a week later, with the Angels again expected to use a six-man rotation.

The Red Sox plan to use a platoon in right field with Martinez starting against left-handers and Jackie Bradley against righties, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Now that the Red Sox have added an elite bat in Trevor Story, they have offensively capable options in case Bradley doesn't recover from his .163/.236/.261 slash line from 2021. In addition to using Martinez in right on days he's not the designated hitter, the Red Sox plan to give Christian Arroyo (hand) outfield reps. Both Martinez and Arroyo, a utility player who can line up anywhere on the infield, will be in the lineup against lefties.

Solak went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Thursday's spring training game against Oakland.

Solak, who played second base in 2021, is trying to add left field to his defensive portfolio, and it's where he started Thursday. He was shaky early, misplaying a ball due to the sun which led to a run. He later made up for it by cranking his second homer of the Cactus League. If Solak's going to get regular at-bats in 2022, it will be as an outfielder. He's 4-for-10 thus far in three spring training games.

Rooker was scratched from Thursday's Grapefruit League lineup against Tampa Bay due to a right shoulder strain, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Rooker has appeared in four games to begin spring training, and he's gone 0-for-8 with a walk and four strikeouts. Derek Fisher will take his place in left field and bat eighth Thursday, while Rooker is considered day-to-day.

Torrens and the Mariners agreed Tuesday on a one-year deal to avoid arbitration.

Seattle reached deals with both of the arbitration-eligible catchers on the 40-man roster, as Tom Murphy came to terms on a one-year, $1.575 million contract. Though Torrens is catcher-eligible in most fantasy leagues, his limitations as a defender mean that the Mariners are more likely to lean on Murphy and Cal Raleigh for work behind the plate. As a result, Torrens projects to see most of his work as a designated hitter or first baseman, though he likely won't enter the season with an everyday role at either spot.

Solak went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Tuesday's spring training game against Arizona.

Solak hit the first of two homers off Madison Bumgarner in the second inning to put the Rangers on top for good. He started in left field, where he's expected to spend most of his time in 2022 -- and could be the starter -- after serving at second base last season. With Marcus Semien signed, Solak will focus on left field with potential to get time at third base. If he struggles at the plate like he did last season, Solak could eventually be knocked from the starter's job by Eli White, who also homered Tuesday, when his elbow has healed enough for him to play the field.

MLB and the Players Association agreed to a rule Tuesday that will allow Ohtani to remain in the lineup as the designated hitter even once he's done pitching, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

According to Sherman, "the new rule stipulates that if the starting pitcher is also hitting in the lineup, then that player remains as the DH even if he is pulled from the start." Ohtani will now maintain his full value as a hitter on days where he pitches, as a shortened start on the mound won't affect his at-bats. It's also a huge boost for the Angels, as they were previously forced to abandon the designated hitter once Ohtani was done pitching for the day.

Reyes agreed Tuesday with the Guardians on a one-year, $4.55 million contract to avoid arbitration, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Reyes was in his first year of arbitration following a 2021 season in which he hit .254 with 30 home runs and 85 RBI across 466 plate appearances. The Guardians plan to expose him to more work in right field during spring training, but he's still expected to see the bulk of his starts as a designated hitter in 2022.

Reyes will get time in right field during spring training, Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Reyes enters 2022 as the Guardians' obvious choice for designated hitter. With the National League adopting the DH as well, there's no guarantee he'll be needed to play the field very often. Instead, this move keeps the 26-year-old familiar with the outfield -- the Guardians have weaknesses in the lineup at both corner outfield spots. Bradley Zimmer and Oscar Mercado are most likely to open the season in those positions, but Reyes' strong bat figures to be an everyday presence in the lineup after he hit .254/.324/.522 with 30 home runs, 85 RBI, 57 runs scored and four stolen bases in 115 games last season.