MLB Player News

Canha (hip) added 10 pounds this offseason and won't be limited in any way this spring, MLB.com's Jane Lee reports.

He underwent hip surgery in May and missed the rest of the season, but his recovery has gone well and he said Friday that he feels great. While Canha is right-handed, he boasts reverse platoon splits, so it is unclear exactly how the A's will use him in 2017 as Yonder Alonso figures to start at first base against righties in a platoon with Ryon Healy.

Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto reiterated Thursday that they will try not to ask too much of Vogelbach as he attempts to solidify himself as Seattle's main starting first baseman this season, ESPN 710 Seattle's Shannon Drayer reports.

After years of being blocked from having a path to the big leagues in Chicago, Vogelbach will now have a legitimate opportunity to establish himself as the Mariners' everyday first baseman. However, most of his at-bats in 2017 will likely come against right-handers since he is expected to platoon with newly-acquired Danny Valencia. Production at the plate will be key for Vogelbach, whose playing time could start to diminish if he gets off to a slow start.

Lewis (knee) could return from knee surgery by midseason, MLB.com's Greg Johns reports.

Lewis required ACL reconstruction surgery last July, prematurely shutting down his first pro season, in which he was hitting .299 (35-for-117) with three home runs and 26 RBI through 30 games with short-season Everett. He appears poised to be back on the field sometime in July or August, so the 21-year-old may only be back on the field for about a month of the minor league season, setting back his development in 2017.

Brantley (shoulder) is continuing to progress in his recovery and is now hitting off a tee, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.

The 29-year-old is still working toward resuming full baseball activities, but this is certainly a positive sign. It appears Brantley is tentatively on track to be ready for spring training as he continues the long road back from shoulder surgery.

Choi signed a minor league contract with the Yankees on Monday that includes an invitation to spring training.

It's not surprising that Choi could not find a big league deal after electing free agency rather than accept an outright assignment to Triple-A in the Angels' organization. He posted a 67 wRC+ last year while getting 125 of his 129 plate appearances with the platoon advantage. Greg Bird, Tyler Austin and Rob Refsnyder all figure to be ahead of him on the organizational depth chart.

Miller and the Rays avoided arbitration Friday with a one-year, $3.575 million deal, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Miller experienced a massive power spike in 2016, slugging a career-high .482 and 30 home runs while splitting time between shortstop and first base. Expect him to settle in at the latter spot for the Rays this season.

Choi has passed through waivers unclaimed and been outrighted to Triple-A Salt Lake.

Choi was the roster casualty of Ben Revere's one-year deal with the Angels and will now join the team's Triple-A affiliate after a disappointing rookie campaign. It's possible he will join the Angels at spring training as a non-roster invitee, but his .170/.271/.339 batting line at the top level last season and expected lack of opportunities at the major league level in 2017 make him an undesirable fantasy asset in the majority of fantasy formats.

Brantley (shoulder) began taking non-contact swings over the holiday break, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

A September report shed doubt on Brantley's four-month timetable, suggesting he could miss significant time in 2017, but the Indians have been adamant that Brantley will be ready for spring training. He played in just 11 games last season before being shut back down and ultimately undergoing a second shoulder surgery. Brantley turns 30 in May.

Choi was designated for assignment on Friday, the Los Angeles Times' Mike DiGiovanna reports.

The Angels needed to clear a spot on the 40-man roster after the signing of Ben Revere to a one-year deal, and Choi was the casualty. He was pretty underwhelming in his first year in the big leagues last season, slashing .170/.271/.339 with five home runs in 129 plate appearances. His .170 ISO indicates noteworthy pop, and his .173 BABIP points to some bad luck, but he does not profile as someone who will play enough or hit for a high enough average to be useful in standard leagues anytime soon.

Goins, who lost his utility-infielder role to Darwin Barney last season, will begin working in the outfield to increase his chance of making the 2017 roster, Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com reports.

Barring injuries, the Jays starting infield is locked in, and Barney, who had an outstanding 2016 campaign, can fill in at shortstop, second and third base whenever needed. Goins is out of minor league options, meaning the 28-year-old will be waived if he doesn't remain on the 25-man roster or DL for the duration of 2017. After playing 128 games in 2015, Goins was awful for the Jays in 2016 before suffering a forearm injury and spending most of the second half in the minors. His fantasy value is tied to his extended positional eligibility, but (assuming he makes the 25-man roster) Goins is best-suited for deeper leagues.