MLB Player News

Cespedes (ankle) looked good running and hitting Monday, Justin Toscano of The Bergen Record reports.

Cespedes also took part in fielding drills, though his overall participation was still limited. While it would obviously be better for him to be a full participant at the start of spring, any indications that his health is trending in the right direction are certainly a good thing for a player who's appeared in just 119 total games over the last three seasons. It remains to be seen just how big of a role the Mets can expect him to play this season.

Manager Dave Roberts said Pederson will likely occupy the large side of a platoon in left field, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Assuming Pederson -- who was reportedly traded to the Angels earlier in the offseason before the deal fell through -- is on the Dodgers' Opening Day roster, he's expected to share playing time in left field with A.J. Pollock. Pederson occupied a similar role in 2019, starting 104 games against righties but just six against southpaws.

Miller signed a one-year, major-league contract with the Cardinals on Wednesday.

The 30-year-old's career appeared to be stalling out before his landed with the Phillies in the middle of last season and slashed .263/.331/.610 over 130 plate appearances to close the year. That display of power was quite a surprise for a player with a career .419 slugging percentage, but it evidently impressed the Cardinals enough that he was offered a big-league deal. Miller can play anywhere on the infield as well as the outfield corners, which should help him earn a bench spot, at minimum. He could even play a larger role if he hits well enough to wrest at-bats away from Tommy Edman or Kolten Wong.

Pederson's reported trade from the Dodgers to the Angels fell through Sunday night and will not happen, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Pederson's deal was dependent on the original attempted Mookie Betts trade between the Dodgers and Red Sox. According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, Angels owner Arte Moreno expressed his frustration regarding the delay leading up to the trade being rescinded. The 27-year-old Pederson returns to a loaded Dodgers outfield for the time being, but he remains one of the club's top trade assets as Los Angeles aims to fall below the luxury tax heading into the 2020 season.

McCutchen (knee) said "for sure" when asked if he anticipates being ready for Opening Day, Meghan Montemurro of The Athletic reports.

McCutchen's first season in Philadelphia was shaping up as a resounding success until he was sidelined after tearing the ACL in his left knee in early June. While the rehab process has been a familiar one for McCutchen after he previously tore the ACL in his right knee in high school, he may have more difficulty re-emerging as an annual double-digit steals threat as he heads into his age-34 campaign. At this stage of his rehab, McCutchen isn't facing any restrictions with his running, throwing or hitting, so as spring training approaches, he's merely just awaiting clearance from the Phillies' medical staff to resume participating in simulated games. Even if McCutchen's prediction comes to pass and he's declared ready to go for Opening Day, expect the outfielder to handle only a light load of games during Grapefruit League play.

Baker will join the Cardinals' big-league camp this spring.

Baker may get some at-bats against big-league pitching in the preseason, but he's not likely to be a candidate for regular-season at-bats just yet. He's yet to advance beyond High-A, where he hit .244/.327/.390 (good for a 115 wRC+) in 122 games for Palm Beach last season.

Winker (neck) could face significant competition for playing time this season, following the Reds' signings of Nick Castellanos and Shogo Akiyama.

Right now Winker has to both prove that he's healthy and then beat out Akiyama or Nick Senzel for playing time, not to mention Aristides Aquino. At best, a platoon role seems most likely absent a trade and/or an injury.

Ruf signed a minor-league contract with the Giants on Thursday, Jayson Stark of The Athletic reports.

Ruf hasn't appeared in the big leagues since the 2016 campaign, as he's spent the last few years overseas in the KBO. He struggled to a .205 average with three home runs and nine RBI in 43 games with the Phillies in 2016; however, he's coming off a season in which he slashed .292/.396/.515 with 22 homers and 101 over 133 contests with the Samsung Lions.

Cespedes (ankle) will be ready to hit at the start of spring training, Justin Toscano of The Bergen Record reports.

Cespedes is also making progress running and tracking fly balls, though it's not yet clear if he's expected to be fully ready to go by the start of the regular season. The 34-year-old has played a total of just 119 games over the last three seasons combined. He missed the entirety of the 2019 campaign, first due to recovery from a pair of heel surgeries and then due to a wild-boar-related ankle fracture.

Ozuna agreed to a one-year, $18 million deal with the Braves on Tuesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Ozuna will join his third organization after recording .241/.328/.472 slash line with 29 homers and 89 RBI in 130 games with the Cardinals in 2019. The veteran outfielder is still considered one of the league's premier power hitters after averaging 30 home runs and 100 RBI over the past three years. Ozuna figures to slot into the cleanup spot following the departure of Josh Donaldson, while the Braves plan to use him as their everyday left fielder, per David O'Brien of The Athletic.