MLB Player News

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.

Vargas signed a minor-league contract with the Tigers on Monday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Vargas has most recently appeared in the Puerto Rican Winter League with Mayaguez, slashing .272/.434/.505 with five homers and 25 RBI in 31 games. His last big-league appearance dates back to 2017 with Minnesota, where he finished with a .253 average, 11 long balls and 41 RBI across 78 contests. Vargas figures to begin the year with Triple-A Toledo.

Buxton (shoulder) has been given medical clearance to swing a bat and the Twins expect him to progress to hitting off a machine later this month, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

If all goes well, he could be ready to hit off live pitching at the start of spring training. Buxton underwent season-ending surgery Sept. 10 to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder. If healthy, he should be Minnesota's starting center fielder in 2020.

Buxton (shoulder) signed a one-year, $3.075 million contract with the Twins on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Brandon Warne of ZoneCoverage.com reports.

Buxton ended the 2019 season on the injured list after undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery, and it remains unclear if he'll be ready for the beginning of spring training. If healthy, he should be Minnesota's starting center fielder in 2020.

Soler agreed to a one-year, $7.3 million contract with the Royals on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

Soler surprised many by cranking 48 homers while driving in 117 RBI over 162 contests during his first full season of big-league action. He's expected to be a key bat in the Royals lineup during the 2020 campaign.

Canha signed a one-year, $4.8 million contract with the Athletics on Friday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

The 30-year-old will more than double his pay from 2019 after posting a .913 OPS with 26 home runs and 58 RBI in 126 games. The 30-year-old struggled against right-handers in 2018 (.665 OPS) but reversed that trend last season (.966 OPS), opening the door for a larger workload.