MLB Player News

Manager Phil Nevin said Ohtani will pitch every sixth day as much as possible in 2023, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Ohtani made 12 starts on five days' rest last season, but he pitched on at least six days rest for his other 16 starts. The 28-year-old posted a 2.33 ERA across a career-high 166 innings during 2022 and finished fourth in voting for the AL Cy Young Award. Assuming he stays healthy in 2023, Ohtani should be able to top that workload while pitching every sixth day, which would only further add to his value as one of the best hitters and pitchers in the league.

Cabrera said Monday in an interview with MLB.com that he plans to retire after the 2023 season. "I think it's going to be my last year," he said. "It feels a little weird to say that. I thought I wasn't going to say that ever. But I think it's time to say goodbye to baseball."

Considering that Cabrera will be due $32 million for 2023 -- the final year of the $248 million contract extension he inked in March 2014 -- his decision to play one final season comes as little surprise. The 39-year-old had already moved into more of a part-time role at designated hitter by the second half of the 2022 campaign, and Tigers manager A.J. Hinch previously said earlier this month that he doesn't envision Cabrera playing on an everyday basis during the final season of his Hall of Fame-worthy career, per Evan Woodbery of MLive.com. Cabrera still hit a respectable .254 in 433 plate appearances in 2022, but his walk rate (6.6 percent) and ISO (.063) both plummeted to career-worst levels.

The Tigers claimed Madris off waivers from the Rays on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Madris tried his best to make a name for himself during his brief time in the Rays organization (1.053 OPS, four homers in 10 games with Triple-A Durham), but it wasn't enough. The Tigers have decided to take a chance and will add Madris to the 40-man roster. The 26-year-old infielder figures to compete for a utility role in spring training.

Hummel was traded from the Diamondbacks to the Mariners in exchange for Kyle Lewis on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Hummel made his major-league debut in 2022 and slashed .176/.274/.307 with three homers, 20 runs, 17 RBI and four stolen bases over 66 games with the Diamondbacks. The 27-year-old has displayed some promise in the minors and has the ability to serve as a catcher, outfielder and designated hitter. If Hummel makes the Mariners' Opening Day roster in 2023, he'll likely be forced to settle for a depth role since Seattle has plenty of talent behind the dish and in the outfield.

Rooker was claimed off waivers by the Athletics on Thursday.

Rooker was designated for assignment by Kansas City on Tuesday but will land a spot on the Athletics' 40-man roster. He appeared in 16 major-league games between the Padres and Royals last year, and it's possible that he's forced to begin the 2023 season at Triple-A Las Vegas.

Madris was designated for assignment by the Rays on Tuesday.

Madris was claimed off waivers by Tampa Bay in mid-September but never saw game action with the team. He played in 39 contests for the Pirates before he was waived and had a .177/.244/.265 slash line in 123 plate appearances.

Horwitz (undisclosed) was added to the Blue Jays' 40-man roster Tuesday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca report.

Horwitz split 2022 between Double-A New Hampshire and Triple-A Buffalo, and he posted an .843 OPS between the two levels. He finished the season on the injured list at Buffalo with an unspecified issue.

Rooker was designated for assignment by the Royals on Tuesday.

A 28-year-old with plus right-handed power and limited defensive utility, Rooker has played for three teams in the past two seasons. It's possible he could try to land with another organization this offseason, otherwise he will likely return to Triple-A Omaha.

Alvarez went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run during Saturday night's 4-1 win over the Phillies in Game 6 of the World Series.

Alvarez hit a 450-foot blast off Jose Alvarado in the sixth inning to give the Astros a 3-1 lead. It was Alvarez's first homer since the ALDS but a monumental one nonetheless. The 25-year-old hit .192 across 52 at bats in the playoffs, but he managed to knock in 14 runs and help the Astros win their second World Series in the last five years. Alvarez will remain a vital piece to the heart of the Houston lineup for the foreseeable future.

Martinez is unlikely to get a qualifying offer from the Red Sox, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

As a 35-year-old designated hitter who was only worth 1.0 fWAR in 139 games last season, Martinez was unlikely to get the qualifying offer. He will likely sign this winter on a short-term deal to serve as another team's primary designated hitter.