MLB Player News

Winker, who posted just 118 plate appearances against southpaws in 2021, is slated to see more at-bats against left-handed pitching this season, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

The new trade acquisition's stellar .305/.394/.556 slash line for the Reds last season was largely built on the back of right-handed pitching -- Winker posted a .346 average and 1.070 OPS in 367 plate appearances in that split. Meanwhile, the lefty-swinging 28-year-old has just a .188 average and .600 OPS across 306 plate appearances in same-handed matchups, but manager Scott Servais noted he planned to give Winker more opportunities in those scenarios this season than he'd had in Cincinnati.

Miller agreed to a contract with the Rangers on Tuesday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Miller appeared in 140 games for the Phillies in 2021 and hit .227/.321/.453 with 20 home runs and 49 RBI, and he'll now head to Texas for 2022. The veteran infielder saw most of his action at first base but also played second base, third base, left field and right field. Miller will at least be a strong bench option for the Rangers and could push Andy Ibanez for the starting job at third base following the recent departure of Isiah Kiner-Falefa.

Ford agreed to a minor-league contract with the Mariners on Tuesday.

Ford was traded by the Yankees in July after posting a .561 OPS in 72 plate appearances, and he had uneventful stints with the Rays and Nationals the rest of the way before being let go in late November. The 29-year-old made his big-league debut in 2019 and slashed .259/.350/.559 with 12 home runs in 50 games, but he's been unable to come close to matching that success over the past couple years.

Vogelbach signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Pirates on Tuesday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports. The contract contains a $1.5 million team option for 2023 and an additional $400,000 in performance-based incentives.

MLB's adoption of the universal designated hitter likely played a major part in Vogelbach earning a spot on the Pirates' 40-man roster, as the 29-year-old has historically been a liability defensively even at first base. With the DH now in place in the National League, Vogelbach should have a clear path to an everyday spot in the lineup against right-handed pitching, provided he can keep his strikeouts in check. For his career, the lefty-hitting Vogelbach has been a well above league-average performer versus righties, slashing .228/.357/.442 (117 wRC+).

Beer (shoulder) was a full participant in Monday's workout, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Beer, who underwent surgery last September, is expected to compete to earn a portion of the designated hitter at-bats. In five September games for Arizona in 2021, Beer went 4-for-9 with a home run, a double, three RBI and four runs scored.

McCutchen agreed to a contract with the Brewers on Monday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Philadelphia declined McCutchen's $15 million option for 2022 back in November, and the veteran outfielder will continue his career in Milwaukee. The Brewers already have an established outfield group with Christian Yelich, Lorenzo Cain, Hunter Renfroe and Tyrone Taylor, but the introduction of the designated hitter to the National League opens up some at-bats. McCutchen had a .778 OPS with 27 home runs and 80 RBI in 144 games last season, though he did most of that damage against left-handed pitching with a .293/.405/.622 slash line in 195 plate appearances.

Manager David Ross said Monday that Ramirez hasn't yet reported to spring training due to travel complications, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Ramirez was dealt from the Guardians to the Cubs in November of 2021, but he hasn't yet joined his new club for camp following the league's lockout. The 27-year-old made 99 appearances for Cleveland last year and hit .268 with seven home runs, 41 RBI, 33 runs and three stolen bases. Once he reports to camp, he'll attempt to carve out at-bats as a depth option in the outfield ahead of the 2022 campaign.

GM Jerry Dipoto said Monday that Lewis (knee) isn't expected to be ready to start on Opening Day, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Lewis has yet to be cleared for full workouts in spring training, as the Mariners are expressing significant caution early on in camp after the 26-year-old missed the final four months of the 2021 campaign. Lewis could also see more action at designated hitter early on to help reduce his workload once he's cleared for game action.

The Mariners are acquiring Winker and Eugenio Suarez from the Reds on Monday in exchange for Jake Fraley, Justin Dunn and minor-league pitcher Brandon Williamson, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Winker earned an All-Star nod with the Reds last season and finished the campaign with a .305/.393/.556 slash line to go along with 24 home runs, 32 doubles, 77 runs and 71 RBI in 110 games. The 28-year-old is arbitration eligible for 2022 and 2023, so he'll be in Seattle for at least the next two seasons, barring another trade. Winker will step into an everyday role with the Mariners and be a key piece of the lineup.

Turner (hamstring) was spotted taking live at-bats against teammate Clayton Kershaw on Monday during the Dodgers' team workout, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Turner and Mookie Betts were among the lineup regulars who took hacks against Kershaw in the ace's first live batting practice throwing session of 2022, indicating that all three players are healthy again after tending to injuries during last year's playoff run. Los Angeles could still look to add another major piece to an already prolific offense before Opening Day, but Turner's status as an everyday player won't be in question regardless of what moves the Dodgers might make. After inking a two-year, $34 million contract last February, he made good on the first season of the deal by hitting .278 with 27 home runs, 87 RBI and 87 runs over 151 games.