MLB Player News

The Twins signed Buxton to a seven-year, $100 million contract extension Sunday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

The contract includes a full no-trade clause. Injuries have plagued Buxton throughout his career, but he's proven to be an immensely impactful player both offensively and defensively when available. At about $14 million per year, the contract will be a bargain for Minnesota if the center fielder manages to stay healthy. Despite being limited to 61 games in 2021, Buxton hit 19 home runs and stole nine bases while slashing .306/.358/.647 in 254 plate appearances.

Ramirez was designated for assignment on Friday.

While Ramirez was serviceable last season, he's hardly a building block for Cleveland, and the team added 11 legitimate prospects to the 40-man roster in corresponding moves. He could be with another organization when spring training arrives.

Ohtani was named the 2021 American League MVP on Thursday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Ohtani received all 30 first-place votes following his dominant 2021 campaign. The two-way player excelled on the mound and at the plate during his fourth season with the Angels. He posted a 3.18 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in 130.1 innings across 23 starts as a pitcher while slashing .257/.372/.592 with 46 home runs, 103 runs, 100 RBI and 26 stolen bases as a hitter.

Martinez declined to exercise his opt-out and will remain with the Red Sox for 2022, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

He will earn $19.35 million for 2022 before hitting the open market after the season. This was not seen as a forgone conclusion, but as a 34-year-old designated hitter, Martinez may have had to settle for a lower annual figure if he tested free agency this winter. He hit .286/.349/.518 with 28 home runs in 148 games and played enough games in the outfield to qualify there in fantasy next season.

Alvarez went 1-for-3 with a triple, a run, a walk and a strikeout in Tuesday's 6-2 loss to Atlanta in Game 1 of the World Series.

Alvarez closed out the ALCS with five extra-base hits across the final two games, and his power surge continued with his triple to lead off the bottom of the eighth inning Tuesday. Since the start of the postseason, the 24-year-old has slashed .432/.532/.811 with two home runs, two triples, four doubles, 12 runs and nine RBI.

Alvarez went 4-for-4 with a triple, two doubles, two runs and an RBI in Friday's 5-0 win over the Red Sox in Game 6 of the ALCS.

Alvarez came within a home run of hitting for the cycle in Friday's matchup, and his three extra-base hits sparked Houston's offense against the Red Sox. Heading into the World Series, the 24-year-old has gone 9-for-13 with a home run, a triple, three doubles, five runs and five RBI across the last three games.

Alvarez went 3-for-5 with a homer, three RBI and a pair of runs scored in Wednesday's ALCS Game 5 win over the Red Sox.

Alvarez got the scoring started in the second inning with a solo shot off lefty Chris Sale. He bested Sale again in the sixth inning with a two-run double. The strong performance against a southpaw should perhaps come as no surprise, as Alvarez owns an identical 153 wRC+ against both lefties and righties thus far in his career. After struggling to a 79 wRC+ in his first taste of playoff baseball as a rookie back in 2019, he now owns a 204 wRC+ through nine postseason games this year.

Martinez went 2-for-3 with a walk, a two-run homer and a pair of runs scored in Monday's ALCS Game 3 win over Houston.

Martinez was involved in the Red Sox's six-run rally in the second inning, doubling and scoring on Christian Arroyo's fielder's choice. He later added some insurance runs with a two-run homer off Phil Maton in the sixth inning, extended Boston's lead to eight.

Martinez went 2-for-5 with a grand slam in Saturday's ALCS Game 2 victory over the Astros.

The Red Sox jumped out to an early lead, with Martinez hitting a grand slam off Luis Garcia in the top of the first inning and Rafael Devers copying that feat in the top of the second against Jake Odorizzi. The homer was Martinez's second this postseason and his eighth in 26 career playoff games.

Choi is out of the lineup Monday for the Rays' Game 4 matchup with the Red Sox in the ALDS, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

With a lefty (Eduardo Rodriguez) on the bump for Boston, the lefty-hitting Choi will take a seat for Game 4. Jordan Luplow fills in for Choi at first base.