MLB Player News

Winker could miss out on a big-league roster spot with the Nationals after the team added Eddie Rosario last week, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

The 30-year-old Winker looked like a good bet to break camp with the Nats when he signed an NRI deal in February, provided that he was healthy and could re-discover his old form at the plate. He's held up his end up that bargain so far, batting .350 (7-for-20) through nine spring games with two doubles and a 5:4 BB:K, but the Rosario signing likely bumps Joey Gallo from left field to first base and Joey Meneses from 1B to DH, seeming to leave little room for a defensively limited player like Winker.

Meneses appears set to spend most of his time at DH after the Nationals added Joey Gallo and Eddie Rosario to the roster this offseason, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

Rosario, who signed a minor-league deal with the team last week, is the favorite to win the starting left field job, which would bump Gallo to first base and Meneses to DH. There are a few complicating factors that cloud the playing-time outlook for Meneses, however. Jesse Winker, also in camp on a minor-league deal, is batting .350 (7-for-20) with a 5:4 BB:K, while Meneses is batting just .214 (6-for-28). Stone Garrett (lower leg) will also need at-bats once he's healthy, and top outfield prospects Dylan Crews and James Wood could also push their way onto the big-league roster over the summer. After a sizzling 56-game MLB debut in 2022, Meneses' production swooned last season, as he managed only a .722 OPS with 13 homers in 154 games. If the 31-year-old can't deliver better numbers at the plate in 2024, he could fall out of a regular role.

Ozuna went 1-for-3 in Monday's 3-0 Grapefruit League win over the Twins.

The veteran DH appears set to thrive as part of what will be another stacked Atlanta lineup in 2024. Ozuna is hitting .407 with a 1.004 OPS through 27 Grapefruit League at-bats. Ozuna belted 40 home runs last season for an offense that was clicking all season, and his spring performance has done nothing to suggest he won't be a prolific power source again in 2024.

Hummel was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento by the Giants on Monday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Hummel was picked up via trade from the Mets back in January but wasn't about to snatch one of the Giants' reserve roles. The 29-year-old's versatility should eventually earn him a look, however.

Pederson started at designated hitter and went 2-for-3 with a three-run home run in Friday's Cactus League game against the Cubs.

Pederson swatted his first spring home run and is 4-for-13 with three walks through six games. He's started four of those games in the outfield, but Pederson is expected to serve as the primary DH against right-handers in 2024.

Miller signed a minor-league contract with the Padres on Tuesday that includes an invitation to spring training, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Miller slashed a measly .212/.283/.324 over the last two seasons with the Rangers while battling some injuries. The 34-year-old had an .812 OPS across the three seasons prior to that, however, so the Padres will give him a shot to see if he has anything left in the tank. Miller will compete for a reserve role.

McCutchen (Achilles) will make his spring debut Tuesday against the Blue Jays, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The veteran has been slow-played this spring after a partial tear of his left Achilles' tendon ended his 2023 season. McCutchen said that he thinks his modified program in camp has helped get his body into a great spot. While he's not the player he once was, McCutchen showed early on last year that he still has something in the tank, posting an .823 OPS over the first two months.

While Canario may push for a reserve outfield role in camp, he's likely to start the season with Triple-A Iowa, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Canario gives the Cubs a potential option to mash against lefties, but he's still likely to begin the year in the minors. The 23-year-old made his MLB debut last season and appeared in six games, recording a double, a triple and a home run during that limited run. If Canario impresses at Triple-A, he may force his way into Chicago's plans at some point this summer.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said in an interview on MLB Network Radio on Monday that while he's been pleased with Morel's defensive work, the third base job is "not going to be solved in spring training."

Morel is going to get an extended look at the hot corner and may very well be the long-term answer there, but Counsell doesn't plan to make that decision based on what happens in spring training. Worth noting is that Morel's chief competitors at the hot corner, Nick Madrigal (leg) and Patrick Wisdom (quad), are both banged up. Ultimately, Morel figures to garner plenty of at-bats, whether that's mostly at third base, designated hitter or bouncing around to many positions.

Soler has gone 5-for-10 over four Cactus League games.

Soler was a little delayed getting into game action after signing with the Giants in mid-February. It hasn't slowed him down so far, as he looks to be the reliable middle-of-the-order bat the Giants expected. Soler hasn't logged an extra-base hit yet in the spring, but he's making good contact.