MLB Player News

Ramirez (hamstring) was designated for assignment by the Marlins on Wednesday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Ramirez missed most of the 2020 season after testing positive for COVID-19, and he was sidelined for the final month due to a left hamstring strain. He'll be removed from the 40-man roster to begin spring training in order to make room for right-hander John Curtiss. Over the past two seasons, Ramirez hit .274 with 11 home runs and 51 RBI over 122 games.

The Cubs are likely to use Ian Happ as their leadoff hitter to begin the season instead of Pederson, Tim Stebbins of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Pederson batted first 249 times during his seven seasons with the Dodgers, but Chicago manager David Ross said he's likely going to stick with Happ, who was the team's primary leadoff hitter last season. Pederson should still play regularly in left field, essentially replacing Kyle Schwarber, and get plenty of opportunities to produce at the plate.

Turner announced via his personal Twitter account Saturday he is re-signing with the Dodgers.

The 36-year-old has spent the past seven seasons in Los Angeles, and it's not a major surprise to see him returning to the team after winning the World Series in October. According to Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times, Turner will receive $34 million over two years, and the deal also includes a $14 million club option for a third year. He had a .307/.400/.460 slash line with four homers, nine doubles and 23 RBI in 42 games last season, and he should continue to operate as the Dodgers' starting third baseman in 2021.

Miller agreed to a one-year contract with the Phillies on Friday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

The 31-year-old had an .808 OPS in 48 games for the Cardinals in 2020, a downturn from the .941 OPS he posted in 130 PAs for Philly the year before. Miller provides strong infield depth behind Jean Segura at second base and Alec Bohm at third base, though most of his appearances with St. Louis came as the designated hitter. He's unlikely to have an everyday role with the universal DH still in limbo for the National League in 2021.

Ozuna signed a four-year, $65 million contract with Atlanta on Friday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Ozuna appeared in all 60 games for Atlanta during the abbreviated 2020 season, and he'll return to the team on a multi-year deal in 2021. The 30-year-old slashed .338/.431/.636 with 18 home runs and 56 RBI last year but played 39 games as a designated hitter. However, he could serve as the primary left fielder for Atlanta in 2021 if the designated hitter isn't approved in the National League. Ozuna's contract contains a fifth-year option that would increase the deal to $80 million.

Belt (heel) may not be ready for Opening Day, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Belt underwent heel surgery in October, and Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi said Thursday that it wasn't a certainty that he would be ready for Opening Day. If he'd be forced to miss time to begin the season, Tommy La Stella should shift to first base. Belt appeared in 51 games for the Giants last year and posted a career-best .309/.425/.591 slash line with nine home runs and 30 RBI.

Pederson agreed to a contract with the Cubs on Friday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

According to Jeff Passan of ESPN.com, the agreement is for one year and $7 million. Pederson struggled during 2020 with a .682 OPS before hitting well during the playoffs, but he also had an .818 OPS over the previous five seasons for the Dodgers. The 28-year-old mostly operated as a platoon player for Los Angeles since 2016, and that trend could continue in Chicago. However, former Cub Kyle Schwarber was an everyday starter in left field, and Pederson could be plugged directly into that role. He came into the league seeing most of his time in center field before transitioning to the corner outfield for the past few seasons.

Winker and the Reds avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.15 million contract Friday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Winker took a step forward at the plate in 2020, though it's perhaps more accurate to say he took two steps forward and one step back. He was suddenly no longer a contact hitter, as his 25.1 percent strikeout rate was nearly 10 points worse than the 15.2 percent mark he managed over his first three seasons, but he more than made up for it with a big jump in power. His .289 ISO smashed his .181 mark through his first three campaigns, leading to 12 homers in just 54 games and an overall .255/.388/.544 slash line.

Ruf signed a one-year, $1.275 million deal with the Giants on Wednesday to avoid arbitration, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The 34-year-old saw his first MLB action since 2016 and delivered for the Giants with a .276/.370/.517 slash line and five home runs in 40 games. Ruf is a solid bet to make the Opening Day roster with a decent showing in spring training.

Vogelbach signed a one-year, $1.4 million deal with the Brewers on Wednesday, avoiding arbitration, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

The 27-year-old was claimed off waivers by the Brewers in September and and had a .987 OPS with four homers in his 19 appearances with the team despite his struggles earlier in the season. Milwaukee's situation at first base remains unsettled, but Vogelbach is clearly a better fit as a designated hitter, and it remains unclear if it will be back in the National League for 2021.