MLB Player News

Santana will once again suit up for the Dominican Republic in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Indians management believed the 2013 WBC had a positive effect on Santana, and the team hopes the event will do the same in 2017. Santana has historically been a slow starter in April, but following the 2013 WBC, he hit .389 in the season's first month -- the best mark for any month in his six-year career. The slugger mashed a career-high 34 homers last season, but hit just .192 with a .696 OPS during the Tribe's postseason run through the World Series.

Freeman will play for Team Canada in the WBC, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The tourney's somewhat lax eligibility rules allow Freeman, an American, to suit up for Canada because his parents were Canadian. He's also the only real MLB star on a young roster, so it could be a quick exit and return to the Braves for the 27-year-old, who'll be looking to build on last season's career-high 34 home runs and .969 OPS in 2017.

Carter agreed to a one-year, $3 million deal with the Yankees on Tuesday, Bob Nightengale of the USA Today reports.

As long as he passes an upcoming physical, 2016's National League home run leader will join the Bronx Bombers. However, Carter will be joining a crowded depth chart. Given his struggles in the field, Carter doesn't have much of a case to start regularly over Greg Bird at first base, but the two players could platoon at the position. He could also spell Matt Holliday occasionally at DH.

Diaz will likely begin the year at Triple-A Columbus, Fox Sports reports.

The Indians do not have a clear-cut backup option at third, and they'll need one so that manager Terry Francona can utilize Jose Ramirez's versatility on the infield. They'll have plenty of options and Diaz is probably the best of the bunch. However, giving the third baseman increased at-bats to develop makes the most sense. The team's No. 10 prospect hit .318/.408/.446 with 11 stolen bases between Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus in 2016. Diaz is not far from reaching the big league club and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him make his MLB debut by mid-summer. For now though, his value is limited to dynasty formats.

Flores (wrist) will make $2.2 million in 2017 after winning his arbitration case, MLB Network's Jon Heyman reports.

Flores returns to the Mets following a relatively strong 2016 campaign in which he slashed .267/.319/.469 with 16 home runs in 358 at-bats. While he won't be an everyday player for the Mets, he figures to see plenty of playing time at second base, particularly against left-handed pitching. He hit .340 with 11 of his home runs against southpaws in 2016.

Walker arrived in Sarasota early to get a head start on spring training and continue his transition to a new position, Eduardo Encina of the Baltimore Sun reports.

With a logjam at first base, Walker's regular position, the Orioles' fourth-round pick in 2012 made a position switch to left field last spring. He climbed the ranks quickly, but without an opening at first, Walker's been stuck at Triple-A Norfolk for the past two seasons. The 25-year-old has smashed 62 homers over his last three minor league seasons and ranks as the organization's No. 15 prospect. There's not a ton of room in the outfield, but Walker will get a fair chance this spring to earn an Opening Day roster spot.

Cabrera, who elected not to have surgery on his left knee this offseason, says he's feeling great as he prepares to play for Venezuela in the WBC, The NY Daily News reports.

He played some winter ball games over the past month without any issues, so barring a setback during the WBC, Cabrera's knee should be fine for Opening Day. The 31-year-old had a strong first season with the Mets in 2016, posting a career-high .810 OPS, but could find himself losing some playing time at shortstop to Jose Reyes as manager Terry Collins tries to juggle the pieces in a stacked infield.

Bell's status for Opening Day is up in the air after he underwent a minor knee procedure Wednesday, the Pittsburgh Tribune's Rob Biertempfel reports.

According to the team, it typically takes 2-to-4 weeks to return to baseball activities following a procedure to remove loose body from the knee. This means Bell may not be able to get into spring training games until mid-March, and it's possible the recovery is a bit slower than expected, which could result in Bell starting the year on the DL. He dealt with knee injuries in 2012 and 2014, so that also makes this latest flare-up somewhat concerning. His draft day value should be downgraded slightly as a result of this news.

Bell had surgery Wednesday to remove loose body from his left knee. He should return to baseball activities in 2-to-4 weeks.

These types of routine cleanups typically take place earlier in the offseason, so the loose body was likely just recently discovered. It sounds like he may not be ready for the team's first spring training game, but he should have enough time to get ready for the regular season. Bell can use all the reps he can get defensively at first base and at the plate against left-handed pitching, so this is untimely, but his fantasy value should not take much of a hit as a result.

Carter's agent, Dave Stewart, said Tuesday that his client might soon entertain offers from teams in Japan, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports. "I think at some point we have to make it a serious consideration," Stewart said. "It's getting late there, too. Those teams are filling their spaces, too."

Despite hitting 41 homers last season, Carter found himself non-tendered for the second straight offseason as Milwaukee decided he wasn't worth upward of $8 million. Of course, the value of the power and walks has been largely negated by the swing and miss in Carter's game -- he led the NL with 206 strikeouts last season -- and his defensive deficiencies. According to Stewart, the Rays appear to be Carter's best major-league possibility remaining.