MLB Player News

The Cardinals declined overtures from teams overseas this offseason that wanted to acquire Baker's rights, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Goold says the Cardinals see Baker as being able to contribute as a right-handed batter off the bench and decided to keep him in that role instead. Baker will turn 28 soon and has topped 30 home runs each of the last two seasons at Triple-A Memphis, so there's nothing left for him to prove in the minors. However, it would probably take an injury or two for him to see regular at-bats with the Cardinals this season.

Ohtani (shoulder/elbow) went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in a Cactus League win over the Angels on Friday.

Ohtani didn't take long to remind the baseball world about his 2024 MVP season, as he hit an opposite-field home run on the sixth pitch he saw during his first at-bat this spring. The two-way star's subsequent plate appearances were less dramatic, as he popped out in the second inning and struck out in the fifth. Ohtani is expected to begin the regular season strictly in a hitting role, but manager Dave Roberts said in early February that he expects Ohtani to be pitching in big-league games by May.

Harper (triceps) will return to the Phillies' lineup for Friday's Grapefruit League contest against the Red Sox, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Harper exited Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays after being hit on the right triceps by a pitch, but the exit was precautionary. He had a scheduled day off Thursday and will be back in there Friday.

Harper sustained a bruised right tricep after getting hit by a pitch in Wednesday's 9-6 win over the Blue Jays, but Phillies manager Rob Thomson said that he's "not over concerned" about the injury, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

A Richard Lovelady offering caught Harper on the arm during a sixth-inning plate appearance, and the first baseman was immediately pulled from the game for a pinch runner. While Harper will be re-evaluated Thursday, the expectation is that he'll be fine moving forward. Harper was not going to play Thursday, regardless, and he could be back in the lineup as soon as Friday versus the Red Sox.

Harper was removed from Wednesday's Grapefruit League contest versus the Blue Jays after being hit on the right biceps by a pitch, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Harper was making his third plate appearance of the day when he was struck by a Richard Lovelady offering in the top of the sixth inning, so his day was likely going to be over, anyway. The Phillies should provide an update on Harper's condition shortly.

Ohtani (shoulder/elbow) will make his Cactus League debut at designated hitter Friday versus the Angels, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Ohtani has been brought along slowly in camp after November surgery to repair the labrum in his left shoulder. It's not clear when he might be ready to pitch in a game, but he's ready to hit and is fully expected to serve as the Dodgers' DH for their season-opening set in Tokyo versus the Cubs on March 18 and 19.

Ozuna went 1-for-2 with a walk and a two-run home run in Tuesday's split-squad game against the Red Sox.

The veteran slugger took Noah Davis deep in the fourth inning for his first long ball of the spring. Ozuna is heading into the final year of his current contract after Atlanta picked up his $16 million option for 2025 in November, and the 34-year-old could be in line for a big payday next winter despite his age if he puts together another strong campaign -- over the last two seasons, he boasts a .289/.364/.552 slash line with 79 homers and 204 RBI.

Harper (illness) will bat third and start at first base in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays.

Harper missed some time at the beginning of last week while recovering from an illness, but he appears to be fully healthy now and will make his spring debut Wednesday. The 32-year-old is heading into his second season as the Phillies' full-time first baseman after he slashed .285/.373/.525 with 30 home runs, 87 RBI, 85 runs and seven steals across 145 games in 2024.

Ohtani (shoulder/elbow) threw 25 pitches, including some cutters, in a bullpen session Saturday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Manager Dave Roberts described Ohtani's inclusion of cutters in the throwing session as a "big step." Roberts also noted that Ohtani touched 95 mph during the bullpen, which is only a few ticks below his average fastball velocity in 2023, his most recent campaign on the mound. Ohtani appears to be on track to make his highly anticipated debut as a pitcher for the Dodgers sometime around the beginning of May.

Canario was traded from the Cubs to the Mets in exchange for cash considerations Monday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Canario has showcased plenty of power during his time in the minors. He belted 18 home runs at Triple-A Iowa during the 2024 campaign, though he's appeared in only 21 total games in the major leagues during his professional career. Canario will get a spot on the 40-man roster upon his arrival to New York with the Mets freeing up a spot by placing Nick Madrigal (shoulder) on the 60-day injured list.