MLB Player News

Bell exercised his $16.5 million player option for 2024 on Saturday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Bell began the season with the Guardians and struggled to a .701 OPS, but he thrived after arriving in Miami at the trade deadline, batting .270/.338/.480 with 11 home runs over 53 games for the Marlins down the stretch. The 31-year-old currently projects as the team's starting first baseman for 2024, although the Marlins could shift Bell to the designated hitter role if they find someone else to handle first.

The Cubs outrighted Young to Triple-A Iowa on Thursday, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Young posted a .310/.417/.577 batting line with 21 home runs over 90 games this season at the Triple-A level, but he couldn't quite replicate those numbers in the bigs with a .720 OPS in 16 contests. The 28-year-old is now off the 40-man roster in Chicago.

Hoskins (knee) isn't included on the Phillies' roster for the team's National League Championship Series versus the Diamondbacks.

Hoskins continues to work out at the team's spring training complex in Florida as he works his way back from late-March surgery to repair a torn ACL in his left knee. He's reportedly coming along well in his recovery, and though he won't be available for the NLCS, Hoskins hasn't been ruled out, he could be added to the Phillies roster for the World Series, should Philadelphia advance. The 30-year-old is scheduled for free agency this offseason.

Votto said in an interview Friday that he wants to continue his baseball career for "at least one more year," Paul Pabst of The Dan Patrick Show reports.

Votto also added that while his preference would be to play for the Reds, if they would like to move on he would consider playing elsewhere. The 40-year-old finished with a .202/.314/.433 batting line with 14 home runs in 2023, as he was limited to just 65 games due to to complications in his recovery from shoulder surgery. The Reds have a $20 million club option or $7 million buyout on Votto for 2024. While they will not be exercising that option, it's possible the two sides could work out a restructured deal if the organization is keen on bringing the six-time All-Star back.

Alonso has hired BorasCorp agency to represent him, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Alonso has one year remaining of arbitration eligibility before free agency and has decided to add Scott Boras as his new representation as he seeks a long-term contract. The first baseman's name has popped up in trade rumors this year but, for what it's worth, new Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns has indicated that he has no intention of dealing Alonso this offseason. Whether Stearns and Boras can get on the same page in regard to a contract extension for Alonso is another matter.

Santana (hand) is starting at first base and batting third in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series on Wednesday versus the Diamondbacks.

Santana jammed his left (glove) hand while applying a hard tag Tuesday in the Brewers' Game 1 loss to Arizona, but he wasn't forced to make an early exit and is right back in action Wednesday as Milwaukee sticks with the same exact starting nine and batting order against the visiting D-backs.

Bell went 3-for-4 with two doubles and one run in Tuesday's 4-1 loss to the Phillies in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series.

Bell did plenty of damage against the Phillies in the regular season, slashing .357/.455/.536 in eight games with one home run, four RBI and three runs. He continued that trend into the postseason Tuesday with his two doubles, the first coming against Zack Wheeler in the seventh and eventually resulting in Bell scoring the only run for the Marlins. The second two-bagger, which came off Phillies closer Craig Kimbrel in the ninth, also had a chance to be consequential, but Bell was stranded to end the game. The multi-hit tally was an extension of Bell's strong career postseason numbers, which now included a .300 average and .842 OPS across 41 plate appearances over 11 playoff contests.

Hoskins (knee) will begin taking live batting practice Wednesday in Clearwater, Florida, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Hoskins is joining some other players in the Phillies organization at the team's spring training complex for what is being called "stay-ready camp." The 30-year-old slugger has been out all season while recovering from March surgery to repair a torn ACL in his left knee, but the hope is that he could become an option if Philly makes it to the World Series.

Tellez is not on the roster for the Brewers' NL Wild Card Series matchup against the Diamondbacks.

Jesse Winker (quad/back) essentially made the roster instead. Tellez, 28, slashed just .189/.262/.216 with zero home runs over his final 42 regular-season plate appearances. He hit only one total homer after May 22.

Olson went 1-for-1 with a two-RBI single in Sunday's 10-9 loss to the Nationals.

Olson drove in Atlanta's first two runs of the game with a single in the first and then was replaced by Nicky Lopez. His base knock extended the modern franchise record to 139 RBI. He led all of baseball in RBI and home runs. The 29-year-old concludes the 2023 regular season slashing .283/.389/.604 and posted his third straight campaign with at least 100 RBI.