MLB Player News

Cronenworth (groin) is starting at second base and batting cleanup in Wednesday's game against the Angels.

The 28-year-old had been dealing with a groin injury this spring, but he'll make his debut Wednesday. Cronenworth had a strong season in 2021, hitting 21 home runs and driving in 71 runs while slashing .266/.340./.460. He will look to build on his All-Star campaign in 2022 on a Padres team that's set to contend for a pennant in the National League.

Smith agreed to a one-year, $3.95 million contract with the Mets on Tuesday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Smith struggled through 2021 with a .667 OPS in 145 games while playing through a partially torn labrum in his right shoulder in addition groin and wrist issues, but it appears he's back at full strength entering this season, which is his second year of arbitration eligibility. The implementation of the designated hitter to the National League should be a boost for the 26-year-old, but Robinson Cano is expected to open the year as the primary option at the position.

Walker signed a one-year, $2.6 million contract with Arizona on Tuesday to avoid arbitration, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports.

Walker and the team agreed on a salary figure and won't require an arbiter for his first year of arbitration eligibility. The 30-year-old struggled with a .697 OPS in 445 plate apperances last season, and he comes into 2022 having tweaked his swing path during the offseason in an attempt to get back on track.

White made his Cactus League debut Tuesday against the Cubs after completing his recovery from season-ending hip flexor surgery, going 0-for-3 while starting at first base, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

While White's two groundouts and a flyout won't exactly send fantasy managers' pulses racing, it was encouraging for the 25-year-old to simply get back into game action for the first time since May 13. White won a Gold Glove award in 2020 at first base, but given Ty France's emergence there last season, the Mariners are experimenting with the former in the outfield, primarily in left, this spring. Defensive versatility may be critical for White, as he's yet to prove he can hit consistently at the big-league level (career .165/.235/.308 slash line) and manager Scott Servais will clearly prioritize keeping France's bat in the lineup. "We all know what Evan can do defensively -- I put him up against anybody in the league," Servais said. "But in our game, the bat is huge. He continues to work with our hitting guys, and he's going to continue to need to make some adjustments offensively with his swing to get the consistency that he's looking for."

Bell signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Nationals on Tuesday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Bell is entering his final year of arbitration eligibility and will receive a bump in pay after making $6.35 million in 2021. The 29-year-old rebounded last season after a rough 2020 and slashed .261/.347/.476 with 27 home runs, 75 runs and 88 RBI in 144 games.

Solano left Tuesday's game against the Dodgers after a pitch hit him in the side, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

The exact nature of Solano's injury is unclear. If he suffered nothing worse than a bruise, he should be able to return to game action soon.

Alonso signed a one-year, $7.4 million contract with the Mets on Tuesday, avoiding arbitration, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

In two of the last three seasons, Alonso has earned more from his $1 million prize for winning the Home Run Derby than he did from his pre-arbitration salary, but he'll finally get paid something a little closer to his true value. He's coming off a season in which he struck out a career-low 19.9 percent of the time en route to a .262/.344/.519 slash line, clearing the fence 37 times. He should anchor an improved Mets lineup again in the upcoming campaign.

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.

Cooper signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Marlins on Tuesday, avoiding arbitration, Craig Mish of SportsGrid.com reports.

Cooper hit a strong .284/.380/.465 last season in 250 plate appearances but again faces questions about his playing time after the Marlins brought in Jorge Soler as their primary designated hitter.

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.