MLB Player News

Guerrero agreed to a one-year, $7.9 million contract with the Blue Jays on Tuesday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Guerrero will earn a strong figure in his first year of arbitration eligibility after making about $605,000 during 2021. He'll remain at first base for Toronto this season after breaking out with a 1.002 OPS, 48 homers and 111 RBI last year.

Diaz and the Rays avoided arbitration Tuesday by agreeing to terms on a one-year, $2.8 million deal, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports.

Diaz gets a nice raise in his first year of arbitration eligibility. While the 30-year-old still hasn't developed much power, hitting a modest 13 homers last season, his control of the zone helped him to a 111 wRC+, the product of a .256/.354/.387 slash line.

Naylor (lower leg) and the Guardians agreed Tuesday on a one-year, $1.2 million contract to avoid arbitration, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Naylor is reportedly making good progress in his recovery from July 3 surgery to address fractures and ligament damage in his right leg, but he's not expected to be cleared for Opening Day. Once he completes his rehab program and is able to play a few games in the minor leagues, Naylor should eventually settle into a strong-side platoon role for the Guardians at either corner-outfield spot, first base or designated hitter. Before sustaining the season-ending leg injury, Naylor supplied a .700 OPS in 249 plate appearances for Cleveland in 2021.

O'Hearn signed a one-year, $1.3 million contract with the Royals on Tuesday, avoiding arbitration, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

O'Hearn is expected to serve in a utility role with time at first base, right field and designated hitter in 2022. The 28-year-old posted a mediocre .225/.268/.369 slash line with nine home runs, 29 RBI and 23 runs scored in 84 games last season.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said he's been impressed with Torkelson's defense at first base, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

It appears that Torkelson won't be playing third base anymore and will focus entirely on first. So far, the results have been promising. "First base defense has always been overlooked until you see a good one, and then you see how that can impact an entire infield," Hinch said. While fantasy managers may prefer that Torkelson pick up additional eligibility, they won't complain if his strong play at first helps him make his MLB debut sooner rather than later. The 22-year-old has a decent chance to make the Opening Day roster, but even if he doesn't, he should still see plenty of action in the majors this season.

Guerrero went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

The 23-year-old slugger pulverized an Aaron Nola offering to left-center field in the first inning. Guerrero tied for the major-league lead in homers last season with 48 and finished tied for sixth with 111 RBI to go along with his stellar .311/.401/.601 slash line, and he appears on track to be ready to keep raking Opening Day in the heart of Toronto's potent lineup.

Pratto went 2-for-2 with a two-run home run in Friday's 5-5 tie against the Rangers.

Pratto is one of the Royals' top prospects, and he's off to a good start in spring training. The first baseman slashed .259/.367/.634 with 21 home runs, 55 RBI, 54 runs scored and five stolen bases in 63 games after a midseason promotion to Triple-A Omaha last year. Much of the focus in Kansas City is on top overall prospect Bobby Witt, but Pratto's call to the big leagues could also come in 2022. He's got great power, but he also struck out at a 28.5 percent clip last year at the Triple-A level.

Torkelson went 1-for-2 with a double and a run scored in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

Torkelson started at first base, which is where he's worked extensively so far in camp. The 22-year-old top prospect has a very real chance to make the Tigers' Opening Day roster. If that happens, Torkelson will likely be the primary first baseman, with Miguel Cabrera serving as the DH and Jonathan Schoop handling the keystone.

Clemens went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

The 25-year-old doesn't have the buzz of Spencer Torkelson or Riley Greene, but after spending most of 2021 with Triple-A Toledo, Clemens could push his way toward the majors this year after being added to the 40-man roster in November. He only batted .247 with the Mud Hens last season, though he did blast 18 home runs in 97 games.

Dalbec went 1-for-2 with a three-run home run in Friday's spring contest against the Rays.

That's two homers in two games for Dalbec, who served as the first baseman after being the designated hitter Thursday. Thus far in four spring at-bats, he's left the yard twice and struck out twice. The Red Sox added Travis Shaw on a minor-league deal Friday, giving the team some insurance against the hitting woes Dalbec experienced in 2021. While he looks comfortable at the plate to begin the spring, he also mashed last spring training then went on to hit .240 with a 34.4 percent strikeout rate during the regular season.