MLB Player News

Stanton said Wednesday that he reported to spring training without any physical limitations after a full offseason to recover from an injury-plagued 2019 campaign, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports. "I had a lot of different training. I didn't have much time off," Stanton said. "I got my rest, but I had to rehab the moment the season was over, and then by the time I was done rehabbing I had my normal offseason training."

Stanton appeared in just 23 games between the regular season and playoffs in 2019, missing time on account of biceps, shoulder, calf, knee and quadriceps injuries. His last appearance came in Game 6 of the ALCS against the Astros, when he suffered a Grade 2 right squad while running out a grounder. The 30-year-old had far from a spotless health record prior to 2019, but the fact that he's feeling good again could allow his ADP to climb steadily as draft season gets underway. Perhaps with an eye on ensuring that Stanton maintains better health this season, manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that the slugger's time in the outfield will be "fluid." The skipper went on to suggest that Stanton's workload could be similar to 2018, when he started 72 games in the outfield and served as a designated hitter in 86 contests.

Buxton (shoulder) participated in live batting practice Wednesday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Buxton underwent surgery on his torn labrum in September, placing his availability for Opening Day in some doubt. The fact that he's already hitting early in camp suggests that he'll likely be ready for the start of the season, but he'll have to get through the next few weeks without setbacks.

Cabrera said he's lost weight from last season in an effort to take pressure off his knees and stay healthy this year, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Cabrera didn't give an exact number for his weight, but noted that he's about the same weight as he was four to five years ago. The 36-year-old has dealt with a variety of injuries the past few seasons, reaching 150 games played just once since 2014. Even if he manages to stay fully healthy in 2020, Cabrera seems unlikely to play that many contests, as the team will be cautious about overworking the veteran.

Solak arrived at camp early and is taking fly balls in center field, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

Solak, who can field multiple positions, is being considered for semi-regular duty at first base and center field. Those are two positions without a set starter as the Rangers open spring training. Danny Santana is in the mix at center field, but the Rangers may determine they want him to be a utility player, the role he had last season during a breakout campaign. In that case, Solak could be the primary center fielder. However it all shakes out, Solak will be in line for a significant increase in plate appearances in 2020.

Buxton (shoulder) has been cleared to start swinging a bat, but he has not joined teammates in on-field batting cage sessions, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Buxton underwent season-ending surgery Sept. 10 to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder. The Twins will play it safe with his recovery during spring, but at this point it looks likely that he'll be ready for Opening Day. If healthy, he'll be Minnesota's starting center fielder in 2020.

Ohtani (elbow) could return to a major-league mound in mid-May, Maria Torres of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The Angels said Ohtani "completed" his Tommy John rehabilitation in December, but it sounds like they still plan on slow-playing him on the mound in spring training with an eye toward a return to pitching during the second month of the regular season. There has been nothing to suggest Ohtani's hitting will be limited out of the gate, so expect him to serve as the primary DH to begin 2020 before eventually playing both ways.

Pederson lost his arbitration case Friday and will make $7.75 million this season, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Pederson had filed for $9.5 million after a season in which he hit .249/.339/.538 with 36 homers. With his trade from the Dodgers to the Angels not yet being formally completed pending the finalization of the Mookie Betts deal, Pederson's arbitration case was handled by his soon-to-be-former team, which should avoid any potential ill will between him and the Angels.

The Rangers will look at Solak as a potential option at first base, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Solak, who enters spring training as a utility man, doesn't carry the size of a prototypical first baseman, but the Rangers would like to find a spot in the lineup for his bat. Texas added left-handed hitting free agent Greg Bird to the competition at first base Tuesday. He joins fellow lefty Ronald Guzman and right-handed hitters Sam Travis and Scott Heineman.

Pederson was traded from the Dodgers to the Angels on Tuesday in exchange for infielder Luis Rengifo, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports. Prospect Andy Pages was also sent to the Angels in the deal.

Pederson has been a major part of the Dodgers' outfield over the last five years, but he became expendable with the team acquiring Mookie Betts from the Red Sox earlier in the evening. Pederson had 61 home runs and an .861 OPS over the last two seasons, but he saw only 107 plate appearances versus left-handed pitching as he was utilized in a platoon role. Barring a significant improvement against lefties, the 27-year-old is likely to be used similarly alongside Justin Upton and Mike Trout in the Angels' outfield.

Rooker was invited to the Twins' major-league spring training Monday.

Rooker advanced to the Triple-A level in 2019 but missed most of the second half of the season with a groin injury as he appeared in just 65 games for Triple-A Rochester. Over those 65 games, the 25-year-old hit .281/.398/.535 with 14 home runs. He'll get the chance to develop with the major-league coaching staff during spring training and could appear in the majors at some point in 2020.