MLB Player News

Manager Pete Mackanin said Howard (knee) will be platooned at first base if he does not show signs of improvement against left handed pitchers this spring, CSN Philadelphia reports.

Howard hit just .130 with a .418 OPS and 40 strikeouts against lefties last season. It seems unlikely that Howard will finally overcome his difficulties with lefties this spring. A more likely scenario has Howard opening the season in a platoon with Darin Ruf. That would continue the approach Mackanin took starting last August. Ruf hit .371 with 8 home runs and a 1.107 OPS against lefties last season.

Smith (oblique) received a spring training invite from the Mets, Adam Rubin of ESPN New York reports.

Smith, whose Arizona Fall League campaign was cut short due to an oblique injury, was the 2015 Florida State League MVP. He slashed .305/.354/.417 with six homers and 79 RBI in 118 games to earn the honor. Smith's power production is the main question about his game, but he showed some signs of breaking out last year and the belief is that he should end up as a 15-20 home run hitter at a minimum.

Tellez received an invite to go to big league camp for spring training.

The hulking first baseman could be written off by dynasty league owners considering he was a 30th-round pick in the 2013 draft, but he is the real deal. Tellez hit .275 with seven home runs in 35 games at High-A as a 20-year-old last year, and he really impressed at the Arizona Fall League. While he obviously won't make the big league roster out of camp, he could put himself in line to take over at first base in 2017, assuming Edwin Encarnacion departs in free agency.

Roller signed a minor league contract with the Rays with an invite to spring training, Marc Tompkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Roller spent the last two seasons with the Yankees Triple-A affiliate. The 27-year-old swatted 14 home runs and drove in 59 RBI last season, helping him post a .729 OPS. He'll likely serve as organizational depth with plenty of other options ahead of him at first base in Tampa Bay.

Terdoslavich was placed on waivers by the Braves on Friday and subsequently claimed by the Orioles.

Terdoslavich was the corresponding move for the Braves to open up a spot on the 40-man roster for the newly-signed Kelly Johnson. It didn't take long for the Orioles to snatch him up, but it's difficult to see him serving in anything more than a bench role with the Braves given the other options the club has at first base and corner outfield. The 27-year-old collected a home run and four RBI over 56 at-bats with the Braves last season, and will look to post a strong enough spring training to earn an Opening Day roster spot.

Solano signed a minor league contract with the Yankees on Friday, Matt Eddy of Baseball America reports.

After two relatively successful campaigns with the Marlins, Solano struggled offensively in 2015, and his run with the team has now come to an end. The 28-year-old will now provide depth in the Yankees' system.

Carter signed a one-year deal with the Brewers on Wednesday.

Carter had a disappointing follow-up last season to his 37-homer 2014 campaign, as the right-handed slugger posted a .199 batting average over 460 plate appearances. He'll now get a fresh start with Milwaukee, competing with the likes of Garin Cecchini for reps at first base. He could also be one of the first pinch-hit options off the bench, as Carter was primarily used as a DH during his time in Houston.

Howard (knee) has filed a defamation lawsuit against Al Jazeera network, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Al Jazeera ran a report last month that said Howard and other professional athletes used the performance-enhancing substance Delta 2. Howard denies using Delta 2 or any performance-enhancing substance banned by MLB.

An investigative documentary which will air Sunday on Al Jazeera alleges that Howard (knee) received human growth hormones from a Texas-based pharmacist, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Howard has denied he has used HGH. The claim that Howard and other professional athletes received HGH is based on statements Charlie Sly, a pharmacist who once worked at an anti-aging clinic in Indiana, made and were recorded without his knowledge. Sly has since recanted his story.

Wilkins was claimed off waivers by the Brewers on Wednesday.

The Brewers are the fourth organization to claim Wilkins in the last four months, so a lot could happen before now and Opening Day. At 27 years old, he is hardly a prospect anymore, despite maintaining rookie eligibility. He could compete for a job at first base in spring training if he remains with the Brewers, but he offers very little fantasy upside.