MLB Player News

Ohtani will make his next start in the Cactus League on Thursday against the Brewers, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Ohtani was originally in line to pitch Saturday, though the decision for him to not take the mound is not injury or fatigue related. Manager Joe Maddon also noted that he expects Ohtani to be stretched out to 90 pitches for Opening Day, so he should be in line for a fairly typical workload.

Ohtani will no longer serve as the starting pitcher in Saturday's Cactus League game against the White Sox, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Ohtani's scratch from his scheduled start wasn't due to an injury, and he's still slated to serve as the designated hitter Saturday. It's not yet clear when the right-hander will make his next spring start on the mound, but he was officially named the team's Opening Day starter Friday.

Miller started at third base, batted leadoff and went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a second RBI in Friday's spring training game against the Royals.

Miller is in the mix at third base as well as left field for the Rangers. The utility player is 5-for-11 with a pair of home runs, five RBI and three runs scored over three games. If he doesn't settle in at left field -- both Nick Solak and Eli White have impressed this spring -- the lefty-hitting Miller could overtake the right-handed hitting Andy Ibanez as the starting third baseman or at the very least be the strong side of a platoon.

Ramirez was traded from the Cubs to the Rays on Friday in exchange for Esteban Quiroz.

Ramirez arrived at spring training Friday after dealing with visa issues, but he'll now join Tampa Bay's camp. With just under two weeks remaining until Opening Day, it appears unlikely that the 27-year-old will begin the regular season in the majors.

Mercedes has a hamate fracture in his left hand and will undergo surgery Monday.

Mercedes is expected to require 6-8 weeks to recover following his procedure, so he'll be forced to begin the season on the injured list and is unlikely to return to game action until at least mid-May. The 29-year-old split time between Triple-A Charlotte and the major-league club last year and will likely spend time in the minors once he's healthy. Andrew Vaughn is in line to serve as Chicago's primary designated hitter to begin the year, but Mercedes should be in the mix to return to the majors at some point in 2022.

Ohtani was officially named the Angels' Opening Day starter Friday, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

In past years, the honor could potentially have gone to offseason addition Noah Syndergaard, but Ohtani is the clear choice following a season in which he struck out 29.3 percent of opposing batters en route to a 3.18 ERA. He'll face the Astros at home to open the season April 7 and then likely the Rangers in Texas a week later, with the Angels again expected to use a six-man rotation.

The Red Sox plan to use a platoon in right field with Martinez starting against left-handers and Jackie Bradley against righties, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Now that the Red Sox have added an elite bat in Trevor Story, they have offensively capable options in case Bradley doesn't recover from his .163/.236/.261 slash line from 2021. In addition to using Martinez in right on days he's not the designated hitter, the Red Sox plan to give Christian Arroyo (hand) outfield reps. Both Martinez and Arroyo, a utility player who can line up anywhere on the infield, will be in the lineup against lefties.

Solak went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Thursday's spring training game against Oakland.

Solak, who played second base in 2021, is trying to add left field to his defensive portfolio, and it's where he started Thursday. He was shaky early, misplaying a ball due to the sun which led to a run. He later made up for it by cranking his second homer of the Cactus League. If Solak's going to get regular at-bats in 2022, it will be as an outfielder. He's 4-for-10 thus far in three spring training games.

Rooker was scratched from Thursday's Grapefruit League lineup against Tampa Bay due to a right shoulder strain, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Rooker has appeared in four games to begin spring training, and he's gone 0-for-8 with a walk and four strikeouts. Derek Fisher will take his place in left field and bat eighth Thursday, while Rooker is considered day-to-day.

Torrens and the Mariners agreed Tuesday on a one-year deal to avoid arbitration.

Seattle reached deals with both of the arbitration-eligible catchers on the 40-man roster, as Tom Murphy came to terms on a one-year, $1.575 million contract. Though Torrens is catcher-eligible in most fantasy leagues, his limitations as a defender mean that the Mariners are more likely to lean on Murphy and Cal Raleigh for work behind the plate. As a result, Torrens projects to see most of his work as a designated hitter or first baseman, though he likely won't enter the season with an everyday role at either spot.