MLB Player News

Ramirez lost his arbitration hearing and will earn $3.8 million in 2024, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Ramirez is in his third year of arbitration eligibility and will see a $1.6 million increase in his salary from 2023. He has earned over 400 plate appearances in each of the last two seasons, though he'll face competition from Jonathan Aranda for playing time in 2024.

Ohtani (elbow) will take part in live batting practice "soon," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Thursday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Ohtani has already been hitting on the field this week without any limitations. There is no set timetable for when he will appear in Cactus League action as a designated hitter, but it shouldn't be too deep into the schedule. Ohtani is expected to be ready to serve as the Dodgers' DH for their March 20-21 series in South Korea against the Padres.

Soler agreed to a three-year, $42 million contract with the Giants on Monday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Soler gives the Giants a right-handed power bat for the middle of their lineup. With the Marlins last season, he slashed .250/.341/.512 while adding 36 home runs, 75 RBI, 77 runs scored, 24 doubles and one stolen base. The Giants had previously planned on having Michael Conforto serve as their primary designated hitter in 2024, but Soler is now likely to fill that spot while Conforto and fellow left-handed hitter Mike Yastrzemski project as the top options in the corner-outfield spots, at least against right-handed pitching.

Winker signed a minor-league contract with the Nationals on Monday that includes an invitation to spring training, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Winker has been in a tailspin the last two seasons, slashing just .214/.337/.318 between the Mariners and Brewers while battling multiple injuries. The Nationals will hope the player who had an .888 OPS from 2017-21 can reemerge. Winker should be in the mix at designated hitter and left field against right-handed pitching.

Ohtani (elbow) will hit on the field Monday for the first time since he underwent an internal brace procedure in September, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Ohtani said last week that he's been swinging the bat at around 100 percent effort and he'll now get to test things out against live pitching. The Dodgers plan to ease Ohtani into workouts during spring training, but the full expectation is that he'll be ready to serve as the designated hitter when the club opens up its season March 20 in South Korea. Per Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com, manager Dave Roberts said at the Dodgers' Feb. 3 Fan Fest event that he has penciled Ohtani in as the team's No. 3 hitter during the upcoming season.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Thursday that he hopes to play Alvarez more in left field this season, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Alvarez made 40 starts in left field last season (versus 73 at designated hitter), but his playing time in left tapered off in the second half after he came back from an oblique injury. The slugger is still expected to be Houston's primary DH in 2024, but Espada also wants to use the spot occasionally to give other regulars a break from playing the field. One of Chas McCormick or Jake Meyers will likely be on the bench on days Alvarez plays left field.

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.

Solak signed a minor-league contract with the Mariners on Tuesday and received an invitation to major-league spring training, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Solak spent all of last season in Triple-A, slashing .238/.353/.362 across 411 plate appearances between three different franchises. He'll have an opportunity to crack Seattle's Opening Day roster as a bench piece, but the 29-year-old outfielder is likely once again headed to Triple-A in 2024.

Turner signed a one-year, $13 million contract with the Blue Jays on Tuesday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

He can earn an additional $1.5 million in roster and performance bonuses. Turner is expected to be Toronto's primary designated hitter in 2024 while also providing the Jays with an option at third base and first base. Most importantly, he will give the team some more thump in the middle of its lineup. The 39-year-old slashed .276/.345/.455 with 23 home runs and 96 RBI last season with Boston.