MLB Player News

The Angels still plan to keep Ohtani in the major leagues to begin the season despite the rookie's poor results in spring training, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports. "Pitching wise, absent a couple pitches each outing completely getting away from him, losing grip or feel, [Ohtani has] been around the strike zone with the majority of his pitches," general manager Billy Eppler said Saturday. "We look at walk rate and strike throwing and the ability to get hitters to swing and miss. As we look at those things, those are the foundation of our evaluative methodologies, and those things are in place."

Ohtani was shelled for seven hits in 1.1 innings in his last start Friday against the Rockies and has surrendered 15 runs against 8.1 total frames this spring, but the Angels remain encouraged by his velocity readings and the 19:3 K:BB he has posted during that span. According to Fletcher, Ohtani is scheduled to take the mound Saturday in what will most likely be a minor-league game, which would make it easier for the Angels to ensure he gets 90-plus pitches. With Ohtani inducing plenty of strikeouts this spring and the Angels seemingly committed to keeping him in the majors as a member of the rotation and part-time designated hitter, he could be worth buying at a discount while his spring ERA has deflated his draft stock.

Miller (toe) started at first base Saturday in the Rays' 4-3 loss to the Red Sox in Grapefruit League play. He finished 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles and a run.

It was just Miller's second appearance of the spring and his first since Feb. 23 while he remained sidelined with a fractured right pinkie toe. Due to the three-week absence, Miller will be held out of the lineup Sunday against the Tigers, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, but the 28-year-old remains on track to open the season in a strong-side platoon role at either first base, second base or designated hitter.

Cabrera went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, his first of the spring, in Saturday's Grapefruit League win over the Yankees.

The veteran first baseman has been racking up the hits this spring, hitting .342 over 38 at-bats, though it's good to finally see one of them leave the yard after Cabrera hit a career-low 16 home runs last season. The 34-year-old reported to camp feeling healthy after injuries limited him in 2017, and he could be a decent bounceback candidate in 2018.

Ohtani gave up seven runs and six hits, including two home runs, and was lifted in the second inning of Friday's spring training game against Colorado. Ohtani is not assured of making the 25-man roster, general manager Billy Eppler told Los Angeles Times. "It's too early to make a judgment right now," he said.

Given Ohtani's struggles on the mound (15 earned runs and 18 hits in 8.1 innings) and as a hitter (2-for-20) this spring, it increasingly looks like he could begin the season at Triple-A. Ohtani has likely just two more starts on the mound in spring training to show he's ready for MLB action. Another factor that may keep Ohtani in the minors initially is that his free agency would be pushed back a year if he is in the minors for the first 15 days of the MLB season.

Vogelbach has a good chance to make the active roster out of spring training even if Ryon Healy (hand) is healthy enough to play on Opening Day, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

"Vogey" initially seemed like a fill-in option in case Healy wasn't ready for the season opener, but the big 25-year-old has turned heads this spring with a 1.262 OPS in 33 plate appearances. More importantly, he has a 6:9 K:BB in Cactus League play after striking out 29 percent of the time during his time in Seattle last season. There's a chance Vogelbach could start the season as the primary designated hitter, but that is entirely dependent on Nelson Cruz's (quad) health. Regardless, manager Scott Servais said "Vogey deserves to be on this club."

Vargas was designated for assignment Friday.

The signing of Logan Morrison already made Vargas a roster redundancy, so when the Twins needed a 40-man roster spot for Jake Cave, Vargas was a relatively easy choice. Assuming the team can't find a trade partner, the switch-hitting slugger will now either be released or clear waivers and spend his time with Triple-A Rochester after batting .252 with 35 homers in the majors over the past four years.

Miller (toe) will play Saturday against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Miller has only appeared in one game this spring, back on Feb. 23. He's been dealing with a broken right pinkie toe since then but is expected to be fully ready by Opening Day.

Manager Terry Francona announced Thursday that Brantley (ankle) should be able to return sometime around Opening Day, Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com reports.

Francona seemed encouraged about Brantley's progress during his interview Thursday. He said that the outfielder's status for Opening Day is still up in the air, but if he does miss the opener, he won't miss it by much. Based on the skipper's comments, it sounds like Brantley is shaping up to join the Indians' starting lineup a week or two into the season at the latest.

Brantley (ankle) was the designated hitter in a minor-league game Wednesday but did not run the bases, Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com reports.

Although he has yet to run the bases, it seems like Brantley's rehab program is being fast-tracked a bit. The embattled outfielder partook in outfield drills Thursday and is "doing terrific" according to manager Terry Francona. No timetable for his return was revealed, but things appear to be looking up.

Miller (toe) will play in a minor-league game Thursday at Port Charlotte and is expected to get four or five at-bats, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports.

It's a positive step for the infielder, who's missed all but the opening game of spring with his broken right pinkie toe. Miller's status is likely to be updated following Thursday's game action, but manager Kevin Cash has already stated he's expecting the 28-year-old to be ready by Opening Day.