MLB Player News
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Marcell Ozuna DH | ATL
Braves' Marcell Ozuna: Continues to impress in spring
Ozuna went 1-for-3 in Monday's 3-0 Grapefruit League win over the Twins.
The veteran DH appears set to thrive as part of what will be another stacked Atlanta lineup in 2024. Ozuna is hitting .407 with a 1.004 OPS through 27 Grapefruit League at-bats. Ozuna belted 40 home runs last season for an offense that was clicking all season, and his spring performance has done nothing to suggest he won't be a prolific power source again in 2024.
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Cooper Hummel LF | HOU
Giants' Cooper Hummel: Optioned to Triple-A
Hummel was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento by the Giants on Monday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Hummel was picked up via trade from the Mets back in January but wasn't about to snatch one of the Giants' reserve roles. The 29-year-old's versatility should eventually earn him a look, however.
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Joc Pederson DH | TEX
Diamondbacks' Joc Pederson: Launches home run Friday
Pederson started at designated hitter and went 2-for-3 with a three-run home run in Friday's Cactus League game against the Cubs.
Pederson swatted his first spring home run and is 4-for-13 with three walks through six games. He's started four of those games in the outfield, but Pederson is expected to serve as the primary DH against right-handers in 2024.
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Brad Miller DH | SD
Padres' Brad Miller: Latches on with San Diego
Miller signed a minor-league contract with the Padres on Tuesday that includes an invitation to spring training, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.
Miller slashed a measly .212/.283/.324 over the last two seasons with the Rangers while battling some injuries. The 34-year-old had an .812 OPS across the three seasons prior to that, however, so the Padres will give him a shot to see if he has anything left in the tank. Miller will compete for a reserve role.
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Andrew McCutchen DH | PIT
Pirates' Andrew McCutchen: Ready for spring debut
McCutchen (Achilles) will make his spring debut Tuesday against the Blue Jays, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
The veteran has been slow-played this spring after a partial tear of his left Achilles' tendon ended his 2023 season. McCutchen said that he thinks his modified program in camp has helped get his body into a great spot. While he's not the player he once was, McCutchen showed early on last year that he still has something in the tank, posting an .823 OPS over the first two months.
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Alexander Canario LF | PIT
Cubs' Alexander Canario: Likely to start at Triple-A
While Canario may push for a reserve outfield role in camp, he's likely to start the season with Triple-A Iowa, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Canario gives the Cubs a potential option to mash against lefties, but he's still likely to begin the year in the minors. The 23-year-old made his MLB debut last season and appeared in six games, recording a double, a triple and a home run during that limited run. If Canario impresses at Triple-A, he may force his way into Chicago's plans at some point this summer.
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Christopher Morel DH | MIA
Cubs' Christopher Morel: Starter at 3B won't be ST decision
Cubs manager Craig Counsell said in an interview on MLB Network Radio on Monday that while he's been pleased with Morel's defensive work, the third base job is "not going to be solved in spring training."
Morel is going to get an extended look at the hot corner and may very well be the long-term answer there, but Counsell doesn't plan to make that decision based on what happens in spring training. Worth noting is that Morel's chief competitors at the hot corner, Nick Madrigal (leg) and Patrick Wisdom (quad), are both banged up. Ultimately, Morel figures to garner plenty of at-bats, whether that's mostly at third base, designated hitter or bouncing around to many positions.
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Jorge Soler DH | LAA
Giants' Jorge Soler: Already dialed in
Soler has gone 5-for-10 over four Cactus League games.
Soler was a little delayed getting into game action after signing with the Giants in mid-February. It hasn't slowed him down so far, as he looks to be the reliable middle-of-the-order bat the Giants expected. Soler hasn't logged an extra-base hit yet in the spring, but he's making good contact.
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Mark Vientos DH | NYM
Mets' Mark Vientos: Swats first homer of spring
Vientos went 1-for-2 with a walk and a solo home run in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.
Starting at third base and batting fifth, the 24-year-old took Matthew Liberatore deep in the second inning for his first long ball of the spring. The Mets are looking for Vientos to take a step forward this season after he stumbled to a .211/.253/.367 slash line over 233 plate appearances in 2023 with a 30.5 percent strikeout rate, but it's not yet clear if he'll have a consistent spot in the lineup or split his time between third base and DH while also occasionally spelling Pete Alonso at first base.
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Andrew McCutchen DH | PIT
Pirates' Andrew McCutchen: Taking swings
McCutchen (Achilles) took swings and participated in defensive drills Friday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.
McCutchen is coming off a partial Achilles tear and has yet to see action in Grapefruit League games, but it appears he's closing in on his spring debut. The 37-year-old re-signed with the Pirates after he posted a .775 OPS in 112 games last season and is poised to serve as the club's primary designated hitter in 2024.