MLB Player News

Lewis will get his surgically repaired knee checked out before he's cleared to go through full workouts during spring training, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Lewis didn't appear in a game after the end of May last season while recovering from a torn meniscus. While it initially appeared as though he had a chance to return late in the season, a setback wound up sidelining him for the rest of the campaign. It doesn't appear as though the reports of the Mariners' caution are linked to any specific setback, but it makes sense for the team not to push him. Assuming that the careful approach, which may include frequent starts at designated hitter, is able to keep him in the lineup on a regular basis this season, he could be a good late-round value, as he posted a 14.0 percent barrel rate alongside a career-best 25.2 percent walk rate in his 36-game stint last season.

Cabrera may see more time as the designated hitter in 2022 if the team wants to play Spencer Torkelson at first base, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Torkelson, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 first-year player draft, will be competing for an Opening Day roster spot in camp. Whenever Torkelson arrives in the majors, he'll likely see time at first, with the veteran Cabrera working as the DH and Jonathan Schoop shifting over to second. After a few injury-plagued seasons, the 38-year-old Cabrera appeared in 130 games for the Tigers last year, recording a .702 OPS, 15 home runs and 75 RBI.

General manager Jerry Dipoto said Wednesday the team is counting on Lewis to produce as a hitter in 2022, but is unsure if he will play center field, left field or designated hitter, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Considering Lewis has missed so much time in recent seasons with lower-body injuries -- he finished the 2021 season on the 60-day injured list with a bone bruise in his right knee -- it makes sense for Lewis to get more starts at designated hitter going forward. The Mariners may add other players still this offseason, but for now Lewis should be able to play pretty regularly as long as he's healthy.

Choi agreed to a one-year, $3.2 million deal with the Rays on Tuesday to avoid arbitration, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Choi appeared in 83 games during 2021 and hit .229/.348/.411 with 11 homers, 14 doubles, 45 RBI and 36 runs in 305 plate appearances. He should see plenty of time at first base next season, especially with Yandy Diaz likely to see more time at third base following the departure of Joey Wendle.

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.