MLB Player News

Ohtani will pitch in his first Cactus League game of the spring Monday against Kansas City, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Ohtani had previously been scheduled to make his first pitching appearance of spring training in a minor-league game, but the Angels changed direction and will now have him throw in their fourth Cactus League contest. The two-way star made his spring debut as a hitter Saturday against Arizona, going 1-for-2 with an RBI single.

Soler has agreed to a three-year deal with the Marlins, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Soler was one of the big-ticket free agents left on the market and provides outfield help that Miami had been looking for. The 2021 World Series MVP should see time at both right field and DH and hit in the middle of the Marlins' lineup.

Carpented signed a minor-league contract with the Rangers on Friday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

While the Rangers made a handful of big additions this offseason, their roster still has plenty of spots up for grabs. Carpenter will presumably be looking to win a bench infield role. There's not a lot left in the 36-year-old's bat, however, as he's been below-average according to wRC+ for three straight seasons. Last year, he hit just .169/.305/.275 while striking out 30.9 percent of the time.

Goins signed a minor-league contract with Atlanta on Sunday, which includes an invite to big-league camp.

Goins was in the organization last season at Triple-A Gwinnett and is back with Atlanta for 2022. He hit .233/.305/.330 with six home runs and 35 RBI in 91 games at Triple-A in 2021 and is a long shot to make the Opening Day roster.

Buxton went 1-for-2 with a single and stolen base in his spring training debut in Thursday's loss to Boston. "My legs feel good, my hips feel good, I feel good. Nothing holding me back now," he told the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Buxton hit .306 with 16 home runs, a .647 SLG and a 1.005 OPS last season, but he played in just 61 games due to multiple injuries. He's played over 100 games just once in his career, so it's encouraging he's at full strength for the start of spring training. Buxton worked with a nutritionist in the offseason to develop a diet that will try to keep inflammation down to help prevent injuries, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Pederson agreed to a contract with the Giants on Wednesday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

It's a one-year deal worth $6 million, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, and Pederson will return to the west coast after winning his second consecutive World Series last year with Atlanta. He also spent time with the Cubs in 2021 and totaled 18 home runs and 61 RBI with a .732 OPS across 137 games. Pederson has historically been a platoon player given his struggles against left-handed pitching, though he was much better last year with a .265/.348/.378 slash line in 112 plate appearances versus southpaws.

Brewers president of baseball operations David Stearns said Wednesday that McCutchen will see most of his starts at designated hitter in 2022, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Stearns comments came after the Brewers officially announced McCutchen's signing to a one-year, $8.5 million deal. According to Sammon, the Brewers aren't viewing McCutchen as an option in center field, though the five-time All-Star could fill in as a left or right fielder whenever projected starters Christian Yelich and Hunter Renfroe need a day off. McCutchen is coming off a 2021 campaign with the Phillies in which he slugged 27 home runs -- his best total since 2017 -- but a career-worst .222 average capped his overall fantasy utility.

Ohtani tossed his first live batting practice of spring training Wednesday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Aside from nearly being struck in the face by a comebacker off the bat of non-roster invitee Kean Wong, Ohtani had an uneventful throwing session, which qualifies as good news. The Angels are once again planning to implement a six-man rotation in 2022, affording Ohtani at least five days' rest rather than the standard four in between his pitching starts. He'll likely continue to hit for himself on most of his pitching days and should be a near-everyday designated hitter for the Angels on his non-pitching days, making him most valuable in fantasy leagues where he can be moved between both roles freely. Even in leagues with weekly lineup moves where Ohtani has to be locked in exclusively as either a pitcher or hitter, he should still rank among the top fantasy performers in either role.

Dickerson signed a one-year, $1 million contract with Atlanta on Wednesday.

Dickerson underwhelmed in 2021, as he slashed .233/.304/.420 with 13 home runs, 38 RBI and 37 runs across 111 appearances with the Giants. The 31-year-old will attempt to right the ship on his major-league deal with Atlanta, but he'll presumably have to compete for a roster spot during spring training since his salary isn't guaranteed. Even if he's able to make the team's Opening Day roster, Dickerson will presumably take on a backup role after Atlanta signed Eddie Rosario on Wednesday.

Texas manager Chris Woodward said Tuesday that Solak will primarily focus on left field in camp and spring training games, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Solak has experience at third base, and his name was floated as a candidate for the starting job at the hot corner, but Woodward burst that bubble. The manager talked more about Andy Ibanez and Yonny Hernandez competing for the job, while also throwing in the possibility of a platoon. Solak was Texas' starter at second base on Opening Day in 2021 but struggled at the plate and was eventually demoted to Triple-A Round Rock, where he mostly played second base.