MLB Player News

Martinez will spend at least 10 days preparing to join the Mets after the season begins, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

It's unclear whether Martinez's preparation will occur in Triple-A games or at the Mets' spring training facility, but he won't be available to serve as New York's DH until after the second weekend of the season. Manager Carlos Mendoza said Saturday that once Martinez is ready to make his Mets debut, he will bat fourth in the lineup behind Pete Alonso, per Tim Healey of Newsday.

The Cardinals optioned Baker to Triple-A Memphis on Saturday.

Baker was never able to get his bat going this spring, tallying nine hits in 44 at-bats while striking out 13 times. Baker slashed .334/.439/.720 with 33 homers and 98 RBI in Triple-A last season, and if he's able to find his swing again in the minors, he may return to the Cardinals' bench at some point this summer.

Ramirez is expected to see more playing time with Jonathan Aranda (finger) sidelined, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Aranda was in line for a large-side platoon role at DH with some possibility of getting additional at-bats at first base. However, he's now going to be sidelined for at least a month, leaving Ramirez to slide into the vacated playing time. Ramirez is a viable contributor when he gets regular opportunity, as he posted a .313/.353/.460 line across 434 plate appearances last season.

Major League Baseball issued a statement Friday announcing that its Department of Investigations has begun the formal process of investigating the matter involving Ohtani and his longtime interpreter. "Major League Baseball has been gathering information since we learned about the allegations involving Shohei Ohtani and Ippei Mizuhari from the news media. Earlier today, our Department of Investigations (DOI) began their formal process investigating the matter."

Ohtani's interpreter was fired by the Dodgers on Wednesday and Ohtani's camp is accusing Mizuhara of using the player's money to place bets with an allegedly illegal bookmaker. While it was reported Thursday that Ohtani was not under investigation by the league, the commissioner's office has since decided this matter warrants a closer look. There is a lot about the situation that is uncertain and that uncertainty will likely alter Ohtani's fantasy draft positioning over the rest of March.

Atlanta released Culberson on Friday, Grant McAuley of 929 The Game reports.

Culberson was attempted to convert to pitcher this spring but was roughed up for six runs over two innings of work. It's unclear at this point whether the 34-year-old will continue giving it a go as a pitcher, revert to his more familiar utility role or even call it a career.

The Angels reassigned Calhoun to minor-league camp Friday.

Calhoun joined the Halos as a non-roster invitee over the winter but posted just a .628 OPS over 33 plate appearances during spring training. He's now likely headed for Triple-A Salt Lake.

The Reds reassigned Ford to Triple-A Louisville on Friday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Ford slashed .455/.486/.727 with three homers this spring but nonetheless wasn't able to make the Opening Day roster. It wouldn't be a surprise to see him opt out and look for an opportunity elsewhere.

The Orioles optioned Kjerstad to Triple-A Norfolk on Friday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Kjerstad struggled to a .580 OPS in 18 spring games, so it's not a surprise he missed out on Baltimore's Opening Day roster given the club's strong group of position players. The 25-year-old had an .869 OPS in 76 contests at Norfolk last season and should receive another look with the Orioles at some point in 2024.

Harper (back) had seven at-bats on a back field Friday and hopes to play first base in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees, Matt Gelb of The Athleticreports.

The 31-year-old was able to beat out an infield single, a good sign that the back stiffness that's sidelined him for the past week has subsided. Harper returning to action this weekend would quell questions about his availability for Opening Day.

Jimenez (foot) is batting cleanup as the designated hitter in Friday's split-squad game against the A's.

The 27-year-old suffered a contusion Wednesday after fouling a ball off his foot, but he'll return to the starting nine just two days later. Jimenez avoided a serious injury, but health remains a concern given that he's missed at least 40 games in each full season of his MLB career.