MLB Player News

Lindor had been dealing with discomfort dating back to August of 2021, but he's feeling better after undergoing an appendectomy in October, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

The discomfort evidently wasn't a major issue, though it reached a new level at the tail end of last season. Lindor's 125 wRC+ in September and October was a near match for his 128 mark over the rest of the year, so it doesn't look as though the pain showed up in his stats. It's possible that putting the problem behind him allows for even better numbers going forward, but it would probably be unwise to expect a significant difference.

Turner is likely to open the season as the Phillies' leadoff hitter, manager Rob Thomson said Thursday, per John Foley of 2008Philz.com.

Thomson indicated that things could change when Bryce Harper (elbow) returns around midseason, but initially Turner appears pegged for the top of the batting order. His RBI total could take a hit in the role after he drove in 100 runs for the first time in 2022 while batting primarily second and third for the Dodgers. However, Turner will score a ton of runs from the leadoff spot and might also be more aggressive as a base stealer after going 27-for-30 on stolen-base attempts last season.

Schmitt will likely start 2023 with Triple-A Sacramento, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Schmitt split 2022 between High-A and Double-A, logging a combined .299/.370/.500 slash line with 22 home runs and 80 RBI in 126 games. Some combination of David Villar, J.D. Davis and Wilmer Flores will likely man the hot corner for the Giants to begin this season. Schmitt has just a total of 33 contests in the upper minors, so he should be expected to see the bulk of his time this year with Sacramento.

The Giants announced Wednesday that Luciano is taking part in a normal hitting and throwing progression in spring training after suffering a stress fracture in his lower back over the offseason, Melissa Lockard of The Athletic reports.

The injury explains why Luciano appeared in only five games for Estrellas de Oriente of the Dominican Winter League before sitting out the rest of the schedule. The fact that Luciano is taking part in baseball activities suggests that he should be ready to play at some point during the Cactus League slate, putting him on track for the start of the minor-league season. The 21-year-old shortstop prospect posted an .817 OPS with 11 home runs in 65 games last summer between the Arizona Complex League and High-A Eugene.

Amaya (undisclosed) was spotted taking part in defensive drills during the Marlins' team workout Monday at big-league spring training, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

The 24-year-old infielder is attending his first camp with the Marlins after Miami acquired him from the Dodgers in January in the deal that sent veteran shortstop Miguel Rojas to Los Angeles. Amaya closed the 2022 campaign on Triple-A Oklahoma City's 60-day injured list due to an unspecified injury, but his participation in the early stages of spring training suggests he'll enter the 2023 season at full health. Look for him to open his time in the Miami organization at Triple-A Jacksonville.

Grissom might begin the season at Triple-A Gwinnett if Atlanta decides to start Orlando Arcia at shortstop, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

In fact, Bowman predicts that Arcia will be the team's Opening Day shortstop and Grissom "possibly gains the job at some point during the year." Grissom's defense at shortstop has been questioned, although he's been working with third base coach and infield instructor Ron Washington this winter with reportedly positive results. Arcia would probably offer the more stable glove, though, and Atlanta might prefer the better defensive option at the position given the strength of the rest of their lineup. It will be one of the more interesting position battles to track during spring training.

Berti signed a one-year contract with the Marlins on Monday, avoiding arbitration, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Berti can now set his sights on the diamond after settling his contract for the upcoming season. He'll earn $2.125 million in 2023, per the Associated Press, and there's a $3.5 million club option for 2024, Craig Mish of the Miami Herald reports. The 33-year-old showed that he still has plenty of gas in the tank during the 2022 campaign by slashing .240/.324/.338 with four home runs, 28 RBI, 41 stolen bases and 47 runs scored across 102 contests.

Rojas (hand/wrist) agreed to a two-year, $10 million extension on Saturday with a $5 million club option for 2025, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

If the Dodgers decline the option, Rojas gets a $1 million buyout. The infielder was set to hit free agency after the 2023 campaign, but he'll potentially be a member of the Dodgers now through at least the 2024 season. The 33-year-old should be a major asset for Los Angeles on defense, but his lack of offensive upside keeps him off of the fantasy radar to begin the year.

Rojas underwent surgery to remove a piece of bone from between his thumb and index finger in mid-January, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

The procedure appears to have taken place shortly after Rojas was traded from Miami to Los Angeles. The veteran infielder also underwent wrist surgery back in October, so there are some question marks about his health heading into spring training, though he was recently cleared to resume hitting. His recovery may prevent him from playing for Venezuela in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, though he's yet to rule himself out.

Williams signed a minor-league deal with the Dodgers on Friday.

Williams was claimed off waivers by the Dodgers back in November and will remain in the Los Angeles system. The 26-year-old utility man recorded a .883 OPS through 58 plate appearances in Triple-A last year but just a .602 mark in 136 PAs split between the Giants and Marlins.