MLB Player News

Marlins outfielder Marcell Ozuna, who missed the end of last season recovering from a ligament tear and fracture in his left thumb, appeared to make it through the Dominican Winter League without setback this offseason.

Ozuna hit .277 with a .376 slugging percentage and .672 OPS in 34 games. He added two home runs, eight doubles, 12 RBI and 13 runs.

MLB.com reports that Nationals manager Matt Williams expects outfielder Bryce Harper to be fully recovered from knee surgery in time for spring training.

Harper had surgery to repair the bursa in his left knee in October.

With Dexter Fowler having been dealt to the Astros this week, the Rockies are without their primary leadoff hitter from the last three seasons, but manager Walt Weiss is already compiling a list of leadoff candidates.

Weiss told MLB.com that Carlos Gonzalez is under consideration to hit at the top of the order, noting that "it's something he's done before." However, Charlie Blackmon and Corey Dickerson, who will compete for the job in left field, are currently the leading candidates to lead off. Blackmon hit .309 with a .336 on-base percentage in 82 games in 2013, while Dickerson hit .263 with a .316 on-base percentage in 69 games.

Giants general manager Brian Sabean indicated Wednesday that first baseman Brandon Belt will remain at first base full time in 2014, Comcast SportsNet Bay Area reports.

Belt has transitioned between first base and left field in his career, but the team is ready to stick with him as a full-time first baseman as it did in 2013. He hit .289/.360/.481 with 17 home runs and 67 RBI in 509 at-bats last season.

The Athletics and Diamondbacks have discussed a deal involving trading outfielder Yoenis Cespedes for outfielder A.J. Pollock, pitcher Tyler Skaggs and more, but neither side was comfortable with the deal, Fox Sports reports.

The framework suggests the Diamondbacks are serious about adding power to the lineup.

The Mets have non-tendered infielder Justin Turner.

In 200 at-bats, Turner hit .280/.319/.385. Turner was set to enter his first year of arbitration, but wasn't expected to receive more than $1 million, making the move a bit of a surprise. 

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen was named the 2013 National League MVP Thursday, getting 28 of a possible 30 first-place votes.

McCutchen enjoyed a large 409-242 advantage over second-place finisher Yadier Molina in the voting. McCutchen hit .317 with 21 home runs, 84 RBI, 97 runs and 27 stolen bases in 2013.

According to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman, the Marlins and Cubs are considering talks regarding a trade of some of their top prospects.

The pitching-heavy Marlins may be willing to part with some of their young hurlers, including major leaguers Jacob Turner, Henderson Alvarez and Nate Eovadi as well as prospects Andrew Heaney , Justin Nicolino , Adam Conley and Jose Urena and late-season callup Brian Flynn. In return, they would likely target one or more of the Cubs' top hitting prospects, including Kris Bryant , Javier Baez , Albert Almora and Jorge Soler .

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper indicated on his Twitter account that he had stitches removed from his surgically repaired knee on Thursday. Harper also wrote that he rode a bike on Wednesday.

Less than two weeks ago, Harper had surgery and was told he would not be able to resume workouts for at least four weeks.

Cardinals second baseman Matt Carpenter, Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond and Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez have joined Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt as Silver Slugger award winners among National League infielders.

Carpenter's first Silver Slugger award comes after leading the majors in runs (126), hits (199) and doubles (55) while hitting .318/.392/.481 with 11 home runs and 78 RBI in 626 at-bats. Desmond's second straight Silver Slugger award comes after hitting .280/.331/.453 with 20 home runs, 80 RBI and 21 stolen bases in 600 at-bats. Alvarez's first career Silver Slugger award comes after hitting .233/.296/.473 with 36 home runs and 100 RBI in 558 at-bats.