MLB Player News

Beer went 3-for-3 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored in Thursday's spring training game against the Brewers.

Beer started at first base, but he's Arizona's leading candidate to become the primary designated hitter. He appears to be past the shoulder injury that required surgery last September. Thus far in the Cactus League, Beer is 5-for-9 with three RBI and three runs scored over five games.

Ruf and the Giants agreed to a two-year, $6.25 million extension Tuesday which includes a club option for a third season, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Ruf is 35 years old, but the deal actually merely buys out the final two years of his team control while adding an option for one more season. He didn't debut until age 25 and spent parts of five years with the Phillies before heading overseas to spend three seasons starring for the Samsung Lions in Korea. He's crushed the ball since returning stateside with the Giants in 2020, hitting .272/.381/.519 in 412 trips to the plate, though he's primarily filled the short side of a platoon, which caps his fantasy value.

Vientos was optioned to minor-league camp Monday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Vientos got to spend some time in big-league camp as a member of the 40-man roster, but he's not quite ready to push for an active roster spot. He's only played 11 Triple-A games, but he could make his case for a promotion with a strong start at that level this season.

Soler has agreed to a three-year deal with the Marlins, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Soler was one of the big-ticket free agents left on the market and provides outfield help that Miami had been looking for. The 2021 World Series MVP should see time at both right field and DH and hit in the middle of the Marlins' lineup.

Goins signed a minor-league contract with Atlanta on Sunday, which includes an invite to big-league camp.

Goins was in the organization last season at Triple-A Gwinnett and is back with Atlanta for 2022. He hit .233/.305/.330 with six home runs and 35 RBI in 91 games at Triple-A in 2021 and is a long shot to make the Opening Day roster.

Pederson agreed to a contract with the Giants on Wednesday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

It's a one-year deal worth $6 million, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, and Pederson will return to the west coast after winning his second consecutive World Series last year with Atlanta. He also spent time with the Cubs in 2021 and totaled 18 home runs and 61 RBI with a .732 OPS across 137 games. Pederson has historically been a platoon player given his struggles against left-handed pitching, though he was much better last year with a .265/.348/.378 slash line in 112 plate appearances versus southpaws.

Brewers president of baseball operations David Stearns said Wednesday that McCutchen will see most of his starts at designated hitter in 2022, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Stearns comments came after the Brewers officially announced McCutchen's signing to a one-year, $8.5 million deal. According to Sammon, the Brewers aren't viewing McCutchen as an option in center field, though the five-time All-Star could fill in as a left or right fielder whenever projected starters Christian Yelich and Hunter Renfroe need a day off. McCutchen is coming off a 2021 campaign with the Phillies in which he slugged 27 home runs -- his best total since 2017 -- but a career-worst .222 average capped his overall fantasy utility.

Dickerson signed a one-year, $1 million contract with Atlanta on Wednesday.

Dickerson underwhelmed in 2021, as he slashed .233/.304/.420 with 13 home runs, 38 RBI and 37 runs across 111 appearances with the Giants. The 31-year-old will attempt to right the ship on his major-league deal with Atlanta, but he'll presumably have to compete for a roster spot during spring training since his salary isn't guaranteed. Even if he's able to make the team's Opening Day roster, Dickerson will presumably take on a backup role after Atlanta signed Eddie Rosario on Wednesday.

Vogelbach signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Pirates on Tuesday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports. The contract contains a $1.5 million team option for 2023 and an additional $400,000 in performance-based incentives.

MLB's adoption of the universal designated hitter likely played a major part in Vogelbach earning a spot on the Pirates' 40-man roster, as the 29-year-old has historically been a liability defensively even at first base. With the DH now in place in the National League, Vogelbach should have a clear path to an everyday spot in the lineup against right-handed pitching, provided he can keep his strikeouts in check. For his career, the lefty-hitting Vogelbach has been a well above league-average performer versus righties, slashing .228/.357/.442 (117 wRC+).

Beer (shoulder) was a full participant in Monday's workout, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Beer, who underwent surgery last September, is expected to compete to earn a portion of the designated hitter at-bats. In five September games for Arizona in 2021, Beer went 4-for-9 with a home run, a double, three RBI and four runs scored.