MLB Player News

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Brantley's (shoulder) readiness for Opening Day is "going to go down to the wire," Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Brantley is hitting, fielding, and "not feeling much pain," per Brown, but the Astros still intend to bring him along slowly this spring as he completes his recovery from labrum surgery in his right shoulder last August. The 35-year-old was re-signed to a one-year, $12 million contract in December and currently projects to serve as Houston's primary DH in 2023. He probably won't play in any Grapefruit League games before mid-March.

Pederson will get some time at first base during spring training, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Pederson is projected to fill at least a strong-side platoon role in the outfield, but picking up time at first base could help him get into the lineup more. For now, the lefty-hitting LaMonte Wade and righties Wilmer Flores and J.D. Davis figure to get the bulk of the playing time at first. Pederson slashed .274/.353/.521 with 23 home runs and 70 RBI in 134 contests last season.

Ohtani has been named the Angels' Opening Day starter.

He'll get the ball on March 30 in Oakland and is also lined up to pitch the home opener on April 7 against the Blue Jays. The plan is for Ohtani to start on five days' rest regularly in 2023 after he made 16 of 28 starts on six or more days of rest in 2022. He actually performed better last season when going on five days' rest, posting a 1.61 ERA over 12 starts.

Ohtani will make his only Cactus League start of 2023 on March 1 against the Brewers, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Ohtani will make only one start in Arizona over the spring because he'll be joining Team Japan for the World Baseball Classic. The Angels are committed to having the two-way star pitch more often in 2023, and it certainly makes sense after he posted a 2.33 ERA and 219:44 K:BB over his 166 innings on top of his offensive heroics. Even in leagues where Ohtani is treated as two different players, he should go off the board early at both positions.

Reyes signed a minor-league contract Wednesday with the Royals, Anne Rogers and Juan Toribio of MLB.com report.

The deal includes an invitation to the major-league side of spring training, where Reyes will try to carve out an Opening Day roster spot. The 27-year-old popped 30 home runs in 115 games for Cleveland in 2021 before slumping to a .221/.273/.365 batting line with only 14 homers over 118 games between the Guardians and Cubs in 2022. If he does make the squad in Kansas City, it will probably be as a part-time designated hitter and bench bat. He can also handle a bit of corner-outfield work, though most defensive metrics would advise against it.

Encarnacion-Strand is expected to be delayed in the early stages of camp with a back injury, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Encarnacion-Strand was a big piece of the return package for starting pitcher Tyler Mahle at last year's trade deadline. The 23-year-old produced a .316 average with 12 homers, 46 RBI, 24 runs and a stolen base over 190 at-bats between Double-A Wichita and Double-A Chattanooga last season. With the Reds gearing up for their spring camp in the near future, Encarnacion-Strand will look to rest up the back and garner some reps with the team before the season.

Soler (back) was spotted taking part in outfield drills during the Marlins' workout Monday at spring training, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Soler is back in Miami for a second season after he exercised his $15 million player option for 2023 earlier in the offseason. The 30-year-old was limited to just 72 games in his first year in Miami on account of pelvic and back issues, but he appears to be back to full health as spring training gets underway. According to Christina De Nicola of MLB.com, Marlins general manager Kim Ng relayed in November that she anticipates Soler will spend the majority of his time at designated hitter in 2023, even though he made 57 starts in left field in 2022.

Miller is likely to serve on the strong side of a platoon between left field and designated hitter, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Miller was dreadful in his first season with the Rangers, putting up a lowly .590 OPS over 81 games. He dealt with a nagging hip injury and also a neck issue which would seem to at least partly explain his struggles. Miller is healthy now and his track record suggests he should be a solid option against right-handed pitching. He's probably a better fit at DH, but the 33-year-old will be one of a host of competitors for playing time in left field for the Rangers.

Brantley (shoulder) said last week that he's hopeful of being ready for Opening Day, according to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart.

Brantley required surgery to repair the labrum in his right shoulder last August, and even a minor setback could cause a delay in his availability for the early part of the Astros' regular-season schedule. He's trending in a positive direction at the moment, but this is something to monitor throughout spring training. The veteran outfielder re-upped with Houston in December on a one-year, $12 million contract.

Goins signed a minor-league contract with the Royals on Tuesday.

It's something of a homecoming for Goins, who played for the Royals in 2018. Goins has spent the last two seasons at Triple-A Gwinnett in the Braves organization and is likely headed to Triple-A Omaha to start 2023. The veteran infielder will turn 35 in a couple weeks.