Ohtani (elbow) told reporters Friday that he's swinging the bat at around 100 percent effort, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

The next step for Ohtani as he works his way back from right elbow surgery is to either face live pitching or hitting off a high-velocity pitching machine. The Dodgers will ease the superstar into things this spring, but he's fully expected to be ready to serve as the designated hitter Opening Day. Ohtani will not be ready to pitch again until 2025.

Dodgers' general manager Brandon Gomes said Saturday that Ohtani will be "somewhat limited" to begin spring training, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Ohtani underwent elbow surgery in September and has yet to resume throwing, which is hardly a surprise since he isn't expected to pitch again until 2025. The two-way superstar has resumed hitting drills, however, and he should be ready to serve as the Dodgers' DH without restrictions by Opening Day.

Pederson signed a one-year, $9.5 million contract with the Diamondbacks on Thursday, which includes a mutual option for 2025, John Gambadoro of 98.7 FM Phoenix reports.

The 31-year-old fits Arizona's desire to add some thump in the designated hitter spot from the left side. Pederson slashed a pedestrian .235/.348/.416 with 15 home runs over 121 contests with the Giants in 2023, but he had a solid .786 OPS versus right-handers and boasts a career .834 OPS against righties.

Carpenter signed a one-year contract with the Cardinals on Friday.

The 38-year-old slashed just .176/.322/.319 last season with the Padres before being traded to Atlanta over the offseason and then released. He's owed $5.5 million in 2024 but the Cardinals will be responsible only for the veteran minimum. Carpenter could conceivably see time time in the designated hitter spot in St. Louis, but it'll be difficult for the club to justify playing time for him over younger options.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell and general manager Carter Hawkins indicated Saturday that Morel will likely continue to be used in a super utility role rather than focusing on one position, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Morel has made starts at every position other than first base and catcher during his two seasons in the majors, and he began working out at the former position during winter ball. The 24-year-old hasn't been able to master any spot yet and was used almost exclusively at designated hitter in the second half. As things currently stand, the Cubs would seem to have openings in center field and at third base (as well as DH), positions Morel has played plenty. However, the club doesn't appear anxious to keep Morel at one spot. The good news is Morel's bat should still be in the lineup plenty. He slashed .247/.313/.508 with 26 home runs over 107 games in 2023.

Pittsburgh re-signed McCutchen (Achilles) to a one-year, $5 million contract Tuesday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

McCutchen missed the final month of the 2023 campaign due to a partial tear of his left Achilles tendon, but he posted a respectable .776 OPS with 12 homers and 11 steals over 112 games for the Pirates when healthy. The 37-year-old will likely again serve as Pittsburgh's primary designated hitter in 2024, also possibly sprinkling in a bit of action in the corner outfield if his lower left leg cooperates. McCutchen is sitting on 299 career home runs as he enters his 16th major-league season.

Atlanta acquired Carpenter (elbow), Ray Kerr and cash considerations from the Padres on Friday in exchange for Drew Campbell.

Carpenter, 38, posted a dreadful .176/.322/.319 slash line with five home runs over 76 games (237 plate appearances) for San Diego in 2023 and finished the year on the injured list because of right elbow inflammation. With no need at first base or designated hitter, Atlanta could quickly flip him to another team. He's owed $5.5 million in 2024 after exercising his final-year player option earlier this offseason, but the Padres will cover $1.5 million of that.

Ohtani (elbow) announced Saturday via his personal Instagram account that he will be signing with the Dodgers.

The Blue Jays were rumored to be the frontrunners for Ohtani's services, but the two-way superstar will instead swap Los Angeles teams on what his agents are announcing as a 10-year, $700 million deal, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Ohtani underwent elbow surgery in September that will prevent him from pitching next season, but he'll settle in as a full-time designated hitter for the Dodgers and immediately becomes arguably the biggest threat in a lineup that also features Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts.

Pittsburgh selected Beer from the Diamondbacks in the minor-league phase of Wednesday's Rule 5 Draft.

Beer never quite got it going at the major-league level in Arizona, but he holds a career .863 OPS on the farm and is only 27 years old. He could get a legitimate look with the Pirates at first base or DH at some point in 2024.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez revealed Monday that Meneses played through a knee injury this season, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

It's not clear when Meneses' knee began bothering him, but Martinez indicated it's a big reason why the 31-year-old was basically a full-time designated hitter. With Dominic Smith no longer around, Martinez would like to use Meneses some at first base in 2024 and possibly even some in the outfield. As for how Meneses is progressing in his recovery from the knee problem, Martinez said the right-handed hitter is "doing a lot of agility stuff" this offseason and "looks good so far."